Is this my final BGG GeekMarket acquisition?
Because I am a board game addict, anytime I travel (anywhere), I always visit local board games stores, hit meetup to find a board game group to play some evening, and check the boardgamegeek marketplace for rare finds in “my wants.”
When I knew I was going to Madrid last month, I searched “my wants” and found a seller that had this deluxified version of Luna. The game is now out of print (OOP). You can still find it in the United States, but it’s getting more difficult and the games are very expensive.
I was able to find a seller in Spain, though, that was selling it for a lot less than the United States, and the game was the English version to boot. I purchased it and picked up the game in Madrid, Spain at a mail pickup shop (the seller was actually in Zaragoza, Spain). My wife thought I was crazy — we landed in Madrid, checked in at the hotel, and the next stop was the mail relay shop! The box was well packed and everything was in perfect condition.
Just in the nick of time. too, since boardgamegeek’s classic geekmarket is now closing!
The Box
The box has attractive silver foil lettering added to really punch up the look. The “moon priestess” on the cover looks quite otherwordly with the silver foil hair. It includes a sleeve to protect the box art.
Unfortunately, the box insert is the standard waste of cardboard — I will need to 3d print an organizer to keep the many components sorted.
The Art
The game looks fantastic. The art is a little trippy. At the time the game was produced, it was a real departure, style-wise from the traditional, drab, brown-on-brown productions of classic Stefan Feld games, like Castles of Burgundy or Notre Dame. Although I think the newer Feld game, Bonfire, is even more quirky, if you like weird, acid-tinged art!
Cardboard
Nice quality
The main boards and the surrounding island boards are double layer. Really nice look, but some of the players were annoyed setting pieces on the edges and having them fall.
The Islands
Setup variability
One of the main functions of the islands is providing worker placement spots that double as area majority scoring areas for round ends. The seven islands allow for variability in setup, keeping the game fresh.
The Temple
Area control
An intriguing mechanic in the game is the area control mechanic. Sending novices early robs players of precious workers, and they can be knocked out by later placements.
The Apostate
Punishment for greed
As is typical in many Stefan Feld games, there is a substantial punishment for those that aren’t careful. Leaving too many workers in a section can lead another player to move The Apostate to your island, which is negative points at rounds’ end!