Ship + planet, mission-loop campaign
ISS Vanguard is a heavy game (weight 8/10). It offers a substantial decision tree (7/10) — enough to reward repeated study. Decisions come at a steady pace (6/10) — engaged without being exhausting. Players are constantly affecting each other's plans (interaction 7/10). Direct attacks are minimal (0/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.
Every score is on a 0–10 scale. The rubric and methodology behind these numbers is documented in the README.
ISS Vanguard is a heavy game (weight 8/10). It offers a substantial decision tree (7/10) — enough to reward repeated study. Decisions come at a steady pace (6/10) — engaged without being exhausting.
Players are constantly affecting each other's plans (interaction 7/10). Direct attacks are minimal (0/10) — the friction comes from contention, not aggression.
Variance is moderate (input 6, output 5/10). Catch-up is moderate (5/10).
The theme is fully baked into the mechanics (9/10) — mechanics and fiction are inseparable. There's a clear engine-building feel (engine 6/10). And the game tells a story (narrative 9/10) — sessions have arc and consequences.
Variance is moderate (input 6, output 5/10). Catch-up is moderate (5/10).
The theme is fully baked into the mechanics (9/10) — mechanics and fiction are inseparable. There's a clear engine-building feel (engine 6/10). And the game tells a story (narrative 9/10) — sessions have arc and consequences.
Ranked by weighted Euclidean distance across the 12-axis profile, using the default research-weighted lens. Click any game to see its full profile.
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