Ending a Galaxy in Deep Future and Looking to the Future

Sep 6, 2023 | Sessions | 2 comments

Explore a fully customizable galaxy with civilizations, techs, and worlds of one’s own creation with Deep Future.

How long it’s been since I explored the galaxy I started to create in Deep Future! This make-as-you-play game is all about crafting everything. Techs and worlds create memorable parts of history as eras advance and challenges are overcome. It’s an entirely unique sort of experience that I eagerly returned to, even remembering my original worlds!

Game Overview

Game Name: Deep Future
Publication Year:
 2016
Designer:
 R. Winder
Artist:
 R. Winder
Publisher: Unpublished (Print-and-Play)
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game

With the help of Hex Kit, my galaxy looks pretty exciting! A custom deck of multi-purpose cards forms the basis for everything. Actions may be taken to expand outward or advance technologies, but challenges always threaten! It’s an awesome experience that can last for many, many eras.

Returning for One Last Hurrah with Hex Kit and Deep Future
R

First Play

August 23, 2020

Complexity

3

Latest Play

September 2, 2023

Expansions

0

Setup Time

5 Minutes

Lifetime Plays

4

Play Time

1 Hour & 45 Minutes

:

High Score

N/A

1

Game Area

24" x 12"

;

Low Score

N/A

Simple but… Deep

The main play area depicts the galaxy and its sectors, as well as the different civilization tracks. Culture, might, stability, and xeno relations all influence each play.

Victory conditions often involve reaching the top of a track, although worlds and technologies play a major role.

Almost all of the action happens with a set of cards. The deck begins with 6 suits of 6 cards each, yet this slowly takes shape over the course of multiple plays.

Blank cards turn into worlds and technologies, while brand new cards change the entire landscape of the deck.

Setting Out to Explore the Galaxy with Deep Future

Paligoria Homeworld

Long ago, I started this galaxy with very short backstories about all of the original worlds. This time, I drew Paligoria as my homeworld. Talk about on the fringes of space!

I had a little trouble getting into this game initially, which led me to rewrite the rules for myself. This is something I do occasionally as part of the learning process.

Since it had been so long, I went ahead and updated my version with the original symbols! Feel free to use it.

My real desire was to start over with a new galaxy, yet I wanted to bid a fond farewell to this creation.

Locating a Homeworld to Expand Out of in Hex Kit and Deep Future

A Changing Deck

Next time, I’ll actually create the cards and properly play! As it is, I use proxies with The Badger Deck. It works, but requires a lot of references to a lengthy document.

However, it can be very nice to take a step back to see how this deck has evolved. My technologies are the best, right? Ha ha! Note how the suits have evolved over time.

This can sometimes make it difficult to find some of the right action cards from the somewhat rarer suits.

I don’t recommend playing this way, although I’m happy to say I tried it and will be returning to writing on cards!

The Expanding World of Cards for Worlds and Techs in Deep Future

The Winning Tableau

Had I wanted to do more with this galaxy, I would have had a proper log. So much happened! Space pirates showed up early on, stunting some early growth.

But a trio of technologies put Paligoria ahead: One for All Cannons, Ancestral Machines, and Economic Simulations. Boring? Not when they were powered by philosophy!

I also settled Kirkwork as a little nod to the planet I named after my favorite parakeet buddy who passed away.

With so many diverse advancements, challenges became easy to overcome with these upkeep costs. Success!

Managing Upkeep and Creating a Winning Tableau in Deep Future

Deciding to Start Over with a New Galaxy

It wouldn’t be that difficult to simply convert these cards over to my own creations, but I wanted to give it a final whirl before moving on. Not that I absolutely need to start again, as this galaxy could certainly go on and on! I just haven’t kept the best records and really love to tie plays together a little more than I did after… 3 years between plays. Ha!

There may come a time when it feels right to move on from a created galaxy, and that’s not an issue! Early plays can be more challenging with practically nothing to utilize, yet I enjoyed my first couple of plays. It feels like technologies have to be discovered in order to move ahead, while the challenges are often more punishing to the initial worlds.

As someone who loves storytelling in games, I don’t feel like I did what I could with this galaxy. I also made a few rules mistakes here and there, and starting over is very exciting to me. I’ll miss some of these silly technologies, yet perhaps they’ll find their way over to a new galaxy with some strange explanation. Ha ha! Onward to a new galaxy!

Session Overview

Play Number: 4
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Play Details: Era 3, Game 1
Outcome: Win

What an exciting time! It should be pretty apparent that this was a mighty civilization, although the philosophical underpinnings meant that I considered this a xeno relations victory. Although mighty, Paligoria was much less interested in conquering anyone. It was all about polite discussions about theories. Ha! Such a great time, and I can’t wait to start a new galaxy to play regularly!

An Exciting End to a Strong Position in the Galaxy with Deep Future

%

1 Play

Affordability

Price & Value

10

Functionality

Challenges & Mechanics

9

Originality

Design & Theme

9

Quality

Components & Rules

8

Reusability

Achievement & Enjoyment

6

Variability

Distinctness & Randomness

9

+ Pros (Positives)

  • Although there are clear objectives, the heart of gameplay is in creatively making a galaxy of worlds and techs.
  • Multi-purpose cards make it very interesting to move through a deck and see how it evolves over the eras.
  • There are many different ways to work towards a victory, and some decisions lead to surprising outcomes.
  • Everything about the galaxy is customized, especially when naming new technologies based on advancements.
  • A lot of elements come down to a random card draw, yet there is still control over choosing which actions to take.
  • No other solo game provides an entire galaxy to explore and discover as civilizations rise and fall through the eras.

– Cons (Negatives)

  • It can take some time to fully understand the rules related to the actions, as well as the different paths to victory.
  • As a make-as-you-play game, preparing an initial deck can take some effort to get all of the suits and values set.
  • There is a somewhat fixed time on a galaxy before it becomes too familiar or oversaturated with a certain suit.
  • Besides creating custom cards, there isn’t anything really visually appealing about the galaxy map and tracks.

More Deep Future

Explore related posts about Deep Future!

Victory Conditions

Complete All Objectives

  • Overall Goal Progress 100% 100%

Goals and Milestones

R

Win at least 1 game with a culture victory.

R

Win at least 1 game with a xeno relations victory.

Continue the Conversation

What are your thoughts about Deep Future? Do you have a galaxy you’ve been playing in for some time? There is a lot to explore here to make the game entirely customized. I look forward to creating my own cards and keeping a detailed history of what goes on in my next galaxy! It could even form the backdrop for the setting of a solo RPG in the future!

2 Comments

  1. Amazing work with the Hex Kit galaxy!

    Reply
    • Thanks! It’s a great program I don’t utilize as much as I would like to, yet it works really nicely with the different tile sets. Definitely going to use it again with the next campaign!

      Reply

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