Nexus Ops -- A tactical war game.

Nexus Ops is for 2-4 players. Man, some good times are had when this game rolls out. A new energy source, called Rubium, has been discovered on some distant moon. Four companies are trying to gain control of this source, so they have sent teams to the moon to take control of it. The game is set around one of many "monoliths" that produce the Rubium. Your job is to take control of it, and fight off any who oppose you. Sounds good so far, so what do you get when you open the box?

Alright! Lots of pieces! The "board" is a randomized-tile setup, makign each game different from the last. Each tile gets an "exploration token" (facedown) and when you take the tile, you get the bonus listed on the token. You can control small Rubium mines, and use the proceeds to buy additional units. They player controlling the monolith in the center gets special cards to help them.

I gotta say, the units are a pretty cool neon colored transluscent plastic. I've seen pictures where games have been played under a blacklight, and it makes me want to do it myself.

You win by accumulating a certain number of victory points, which are gained by completing secret mission cards, and also by winning battles. There are six different unit types, each with their own strengths and special abilities.

Combat is fairly simple, roll the dice and see who gets hit.

It can be a little bit of a dice fest, but not nearly as much so as in Risk. The Rubium mines make for strategic thinking, as you want to defend your own mines, and try to capture your opponents mines. Sure, you could try to go for overwhelming force, but leave part of your territory undefended, and watch a third player eat you up from the rear.

Personally, I like to capture the monolith and the overload it with troops so that if someone aggravates me I can simply drop an army next to them. Control the center, and you control everyone (I think).

Nexus Ops has gone out of print, and has recently been reprinted. As always Board Game Geek has members selling it (cost around $50) but the reprint is for sale at Boards and Bits for around $40.

FUN: 4. Solid game, always willing to play.

THEME: 3. It's there, but it could be a WWII game just as easily.

QUALITY: 3. Some of the cardboard parts are flimsy, but the plastic pieces and
                       the tiles are durable.

ART: 3. Nothing fancy, but it isn't ugly either.

INTERACTIVITY: 4. You will be planning for your opponents' possible moves.

COMPLEXITY: 3. There is a little bit to remember, but it's not too bad.

LUCK: 3. There is a bit of luck, but good tactics can mitigate that.

I recommend Nexus Ops to just about anyone who wants a Risk-style game with a bit more depth.