Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
Burning Suns is an intense tactical science fiction game set in an expansive universe in which you'll be competing for supremacy through technology, diplomacy, exploitation and destruction. Tactical 4X thematic action > Burning Suns is not a traditional 4X game.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Action Points
Spend a limited allowance of points across several possible actions each turn.
Action Queue
Place actions into an ordered queue that resolves now or on later turns.
Area Majority
Compete to have the strongest presence in areas that award control or points.
Area Movement
Move pieces between connected regions rather than along individual spaces.
Area-Impulse
Players alternate short actions within contested areas until everyone passes.
Read the full game description
Burning Suns is an intense tactical science fiction game set in an expansive universe in which you'll be competing for supremacy through technology, diplomacy, exploitation and destruction. Tactical 4X thematic action > Burning Suns is not a traditional 4X game. It takes the 4X actions and gives you complete tactical control. This means you'll have to adapt and improvise on the way to victory. A strategy can only take you so far; in the meantime you'll have to rely on your ability to analyze the situation and calculate the best possible moves ahead of you. Being able to force, trick and outmaneuver your opponents is key to success. Seize opportunities as they arise and don't wait for the perfect moment—because it doesn't exist! It's about being proactive and reactive according to your chances and the risk you're willing to take! Create an Empire > You'll be able to create no less than 1000 possible empires, using the three elements of Ideology, Race, and Framework, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Galaxies in motion > Galaxies can be created just as you see them fit—and they might evolve during a game. Immediate actions > The order in which actions are executed changes every turn. All actions in Burning Suns are carried out immediately and players are therefore involved throughout the game, bringing downtime to a minimum. Your empire, your strategy > In Burning Suns there are many ways to victory depending upon your empire, how you use abilities, leaders and agents, whether you choose to ally or conquer worlds, and how you choose to engage your opponents with the many various units. Expanded by: Burning Suns: Parallel Galaxies Burning Suns Accessory: Invading Races Burning Suns: Flying Unit Stands Burning Suns Accessory: Combat Dice