Wouter & Ymke 
In the playful universe of MLEM: Space Agency, a scenario unfolds where cats have amusingly taken over the world and are now setting their sights on exploring the galaxy beyond Earth. These feline astronauts are on a mission to discover the vastness of space, competing with each other to establish dominance in the cosmos. The excitement lies in finding out which agency will be the first to uncover the myriad treasures hidden within the Milky Way.
👥 2-5 players, ages 8+
⌛ Playing time: 30-60 minutes
📝 Designer: Reiner Knizia
🎨 Artwork: Joanna Rzepecka
🏢 Publisher: Rebel Studio (review copy provided)
MLEM is a game that progresses through a series of rounds. The objective is twofold: either successfully send all eight astronauts from your agency into space to colonize planets and moons, or experience the humorous spectacle of eleven rockets crashing due to the cats’ mischievous antics. Each round, one player takes on the role of the mission captain. Everyone selects a cat astronaut from their agency to join the mission. Once all astronauts are on board, the captain rolls the dice to determine the rocket’s movement. The dice in the game are categorized by value, and the symbols on the movement track of the playmat dictate which dice can be used. After navigating the rocket, players can choose to land their astronaut on the adjacent planet or moon. Used non-comet dice are then discarded. The game reaches its climax when the last astronaut lands or when the eleventh rocket crashes. Players tally their points based on several criteria: landing on moons, achieving objectives represented by goal tiles, and establishing majorities on planets. The agency with the most points claims victory in this space race of cosmic feline supremacy.
The game, designed by Reiner Knizia and brought to life by Polish publisher Rebel Studio, is notable for its whimsical theme and high-quality components. MLEM, a playful sound an animal makes when trying to lick its nose, aptly captures the game’s essence. The box cover features an array of adorable cats, setting the tone for a fun, space-themed adventure. The game boasts durable cardboard tokens, custom dice, and unique wooden markers for the rocket and UFO variant. The player boards are thoughtfully designed, and the playmat, with its high-quality stitched edges, not only enhances the gameplay experience but also fits conveniently inside the box.
🐱 The game’s charm is further amplified by the delightful artwork of Joanna Rzepecka. The cat illustrations are particularly entertaining, filled with clever puns and thematic elements. Planets in the game are whimsically depicted with cat-friendly features like climbing posts, balls of wool, and fishbowls, creating a veritable paradise for cat astronauts. Even the point tokens are in tune with the theme, represented by cat toys such as feathers and squeaky fish. These creative choices in design and artwork make MLEM visually appealing and thematically coherent.
🌠 While the basic rules of MLEM are straightforward and easy to grasp, the game’s depth comes from the varied abilities of each astronaut. These abilities can dramatically impact the game, from doubling points for certain landings to enhancing the rocket’s journey. Players are faced with strategic decisions about which astronaut to deploy on each mission, sometimes aiming to cause their opponents’ rockets to crash, other times pursuing different objectives. The use of dice to dictate the rocket’s movement introduces an element of chance, resulting in frequent, yet entertaining, crashes. This blend of strategy and luck, combined with the game’s brisk pace, ensures that MLEM is both challenging and enjoyable, offering a unique experience in every playthrough.
👥 MLEM stands out as a family-friendly competitive game where cooperation and strategy intertwine. Players work together to advance their astronauts as far as possible on the movement track, with some of the astronauts bringing unique traits. For instance, astronauts might offer a fictive die for use or provide a head start on the track, enhancing the team’s progress. However, there’s also one astronaut who has the ability to take away a die when disembarking the rocket, challenging the captain with fewer options for travel. This dynamic introduces a layer of strategy as players aim to reach specific destinations while strategically preventing their opponents from achieving their objectives. It’s a delicate balance of aiding fellow players while also steering the game in your favor, depending on the astronauts chosen for each journey.
👾 For those familiar with the game seeking added complexity, MLEM offers three modular expansions, which can be included independently or in combination. The first introduces aliens into the gameplay, adding a new challenge. In this module, the expedition begins with a limited number of dice, and the alien presence grows closer to the rocket as the game progresses. The expedition token reveals an additional trait for the captain, such as the ability to reroll dice, avoid discarding them, or use extra fictive dice. Captains who skillfully navigate their rocket to the same location as the aliens are rewarded with extra points, courtesy of a UFO encounter. The second module involves exploration tokens, strategically placed on the track to award players with points or bonuses, like additional steps or an extra die for that expedition. The third and final module brings secret missions into play, offering agencies extra points if they successfully land an astronaut on a designated planet or moon. Each player receives four missions, choosing three to attempt to complete during the game.
🚀 MLEM encourages player interaction and strategic thinking. With more players, there are increased opportunities to land further up the track by utilizing the astronauts’ abilities for extra dice and advantageous starting positions. However, the number of dice available remains constant regardless of the number of players, making each decision critical. Players can reach high-value destinations without using any special abilities, but there’s also the risk of not reaching the first planet.
⏱ The game is designed for 2-5 players aged 8 and up, and the playing time ranges between 30-60 minutes. This duration remains consistent across different player counts. MLEM is designed to keep players engaged with minimal downtime, as everyone stays invested in each other’s turns, keen to see the progress of the current flight and whether to disembark on a planet or moon. This ‘push-your-luck’ style of gameplay keeps players on the edge of their seats, contemplating whether to take one more turn to gain more points or to play it safe.
💭 MLEM is a game that challenges players to push their luck, always tempting them to reach the next planet for just a few more points than before. As players journey together with the captain, they influence each other’s decisions, sometimes encouraging an extra turn or a strategic disembarkation, especially if they have safety measures like a parachute. It’s a game best enjoyed with a group that appreciates the thrill of risk-taking and can handle the unexpected turns of the game with a sense of humor.
📝 Disclaimer: This review is based on a review copy provided by the publisher, Rebel Studio.
