Aethermon Collect: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Set Collection, Modular BoardPlayer Age: 14+Player Count: 2 - 4 PlayersTime to Play: 10 - 20 MinutesGame Designer: Christopher Ng, Sarah WhillierGame Artists: Miguel Gaton, Fabio Porta
Introduction:
Aethermon Collect has players using a shared grid to collect creatures called Aethermon. Each turn the active player will move the shared marker anywhere in the same column or same row. Whichever Aethermon you land on will be collected, scoring points at the end of the game. If you collect an entire set of evolution (shown on the right-hand side), that set will double its points.
Game Anatomy:
Aethermon:
Each aethermon card will have an element (helpful for setup), and a score on the left-hand side with icons showing which aethermon are a part of this evolution.
Artefacts:
Artefacts are a one-time ability that can change how you move on a turn or give another benefit. Each player will have access to two artefacts in the game but can only use each one once. Artefacts are only used during the competitive mode.
Setup:
- Place the group marker in the centre of the grid, unless playing at 3 players then the last player will be able to place the marker.
- If playing competitively, each player will gain two artefacts (these can be drafted).
How to Play:
Aethermon Collect can be played cooperatively and competitively, with the gameplay between both being very similar. This review is going to focus on the competitive mode.
Each turn a player will move the group marker on any location with an aethermon in the same column or row.
If this is not possible, the player must instead move into an empty spot in the row or column. Whenever the player moves the group marker into a spot with the aethermon they will gain that card into their collection. This is an open information game so the cards will remain face-up in front of the player. The game ends once a full round occurs where nobody collects an aethermon. At the end of the game, each player will count the value of all of their aethermon, remembering any in a complete set will have their combined value doubled.
Final Thoughts:
- Great weight for family gamers.
- Art feels very similar to Pokémon but does also contain its own charm.
- I wish this came with a map to help show the empty grid spots towards the end of the game.
Aethermon Collect has players moving a shared player marker around the grid, zooming in a straight line orthogonally to collect evolution sets. The strategy comes in how can you set up the movement of the marker to benefit you in the future for your sets while impeding your opponent. The artefacts add a good element of strategy, although they are one-time use so it is crucial to plan properly. This is a very light box so at first I wasn't sure if there was enough game in it, however, due to its compact nature and fast play time, it is a great travel game for a young family.
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