Galaxy Trucker (Second Edition)

To set up Galaxy Trucker, first, decide on a flight level (1, 2, or 3) and place the corresponding flight board in the center of the table. Set the timer on the beginning timer space of the flight board. Based on the chosen flight level, create four piles of event cards (flight forecast) and place them around the flight board. Each player then selects a ship board, folding it to display the appropriate side for the chosen flight level. Players also choose a color and take the matching rockets and a starting cabin. The starting cabin is placed in the center of their ship board, and one rocket is placed in the parking space on the flight board. Finally, create separate piles for crew, aliens, batteries, resource cubes, and credits. All spaceship component tiles are then dumped face-down in the middle of the table, mixed thoroughly, and turned face-down.

The primary objective in Galaxy Trucker is to become the best employee of Corporation Incorporated by earning at least one cosmic credit. This is achieved by successfully building a functional spaceship from available components, navigating through various space hazards and events, and delivering valuable cargo to earn cosmic credits. Players must strategically design their ships to withstand attacks, move efficiently, and carry profitable goods, all while avoiding penalties for exposed connectors, damaged components, or losing crew members.

The game proceeds in two main phases: building and flight. The building phase is simultaneous, beginning when the timer is first flipped. Players frantically draw component tiles from the central pile, flipping them face-up one at a time. They must then decide to either weld the tile to their ship board, ensuring all pipes connect correctly and no connectors are left exposed, or place it in their reserve area (up to two tiles). Welding is permanent once another tile is touched or a forecast card is looked at. Once a player completes their ship or the timer runs out, the flight phase begins. During the flight phase, the lead player draws one event card at a time from the adventure deck. All players resolve the event, which can include meteor swarms, pirate attacks, or open space. Players use their ship's engines to move their rockets along the flight board, cannons to defend against threats, and shields to absorb damage. Crew members are essential for operating the ship and surviving events.

Scoring occurs at the end of the flight phase. Players receive cosmic credits based on their position on the flight deck, with the lead player earning the most. An additional two credits are awarded to the player with the fewest exposed connectors on their ship. Players then sell their cargo: red goods are worth 4 credits, yellow 3, green 2, and blue 1. Penalties are deducted for any damaged ship tiles (-1 credit per tile) and any components remaining in a player's reserve area (-1 credit per component). The player with the highest total cosmic credits wins, provided they have at least one credit.

A flight can end prematurely under several circumstances. If a player loses all their human crew members, they are immediately out of the game. If a player has no engine strength and draws an open space event card, they are also forced to give up. Additionally, if the lead player manages to lap another player (move more than one full circle ahead on the flight board), the lapped player is eliminated. If none of these conditions are met, the game concludes once all event cards from the adventure deck have been resolved. After the final scoring, the player with the most cosmic credits (and at least one credit) is declared the winner.