Subastral Review
We review Subastral, a set collection board game published by Renegade Games. In Subastral, you are collecting cards and placing them into your tableau to score points.
From the savannah to the taiga, the grasslands to the Arctic tundra, natural beauty is all around. Take on the role of a scientific researcher exploring diverse biomes, biologic environments filled with life.
Catalog your exploration of the world through your research notes and arrange them to become the most renowned scientist you can in Subastral, a set collection card game for 2-5 players.
A line of cloud cards numbered 1-6 defines the play space for Subastral, with the draw deck by the first cloud, and a sun card by the last. The deck is composed of cards representing 8 planetary biome suits, and the suits contain cards numbered 1-6.
Each turn, players place a numbered biome card from their hand onto the corresponding cloud. Depending on where they placed the card, they can either take a stack of cards from another cloud into their hand or take a stack and play them into their scoring tableau.
Players must have cards to play in their hand, but points are awarded at the end to the player who most skillfully built their tableau. Keeping these two choices in balance is the crux of Subastral.
Knowing that a game is illustrated by an industry titan like Beth Sobel (Wingspan, Cascadia, Calico) sets up astronomically high expectations. The art in Subastral delivers. Each biome is unique and distinct, with scenic portraits that deserve to be framed. It’s a treat to see them all laid out, giving the calming vibe of enjoying the vistas after a satisfying hike. Sobel has an instinctive ability to create art that is individual but complementary, so that while
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