Anyone who thinks bees are only busy in the garden has never had a look at the connoisseur game Astrobienen from Feuerland Spiele. In this unusually themed worker placement game, giant bees move through space, explore foreign planets and build themselves a new home there – in the form of a modular beehive.
What initially sounds like a gag turns out to be a profound, strategic gaming experience that should delight Eurogame fans.
What is it about?
In Astrobees, players take control of interstellar bee colonies that want to settle in an unknown star system. To do so, they send their bees into space as workers to collect resources, explore planets and expand their hives.
The actions are based on a classic worker placement mechanic with an interesting twist: each bee deployed becomes stronger when it returns until it finally becomes too tired and falls into a “deep sleep”. This not only means that it is out of action for the rest of the game – it also pushes the end of the game forward.
This mechanism ensures tactical decisions on several levels: When do I use which bee? Do I risk it getting tired too early? Or do I invest in hive modules that slow down or compensate for the ageing process?
Modular design and high variability
What makes Astrobienen particularly appealing is the modular game board in conjunction with the more than 100different honeycomb modules that make up your own beehive. These tiles offer different effects and bonuses, can be combined in a variety of ways and ensure high replay value. There are also 20 asymmetrical factions, all of which start with their own special abilities and promote different strategies.
Interaction with other players is pleasantly tactical: who visits which planets when, who claims resources first or occupies favorable honeycomb spaces can be decisive.
Also a well-rounded thing solo
Astrobienen is also excellent to play solo. With a well thought-out Automa system, you can also lose yourself alone in the strategic depths of space. The game remains challenging but fair – ideal for fans of solo Euros.
The expansion: even more honey in space
The first major expansion will be released in July 2025: Astrobienen – Ausbau des Bienenstocks. This is particularly aimed at players who already know the basic game well and are looking for new challenges.
Included are among others:
- A new faction with unique game mechanics,
- Additional honeycomb modules with fresh effects,
- Extended player boards for more expansion options,
- And modular additional rules that make the game more complex or variable.
The expansion fits seamlessly into the existing game system and significantly increases the strategic depth.
Material and design
As you would expect from Feuerland, Astrobienen also impresses with its high-quality game material and well thought-out design. The illustrations by Kwanchai Moriya give the game a special touch – colorful, playful and yet clearly structured. The miniatures of the bees, double-sided game boards and thick cardboard pieces leave nothing to be desired.
Our conclusion: Unusual theme meets clever design
“Astrobienen” is far more than just a game with a quirky setting. Behind the charming sci-fi theme lies a versatile, challenging worker placement game that impresses with its unique mechanics, high variance and clever strategic depth. Anyone who likes to plan, optimize and break new ground should take a closer look at this game.
The expansion will expand the universe of the astrobees in a meaningful way and should significantly increase the replay value once again. A real insider tip for frequent players – and proof that theme and mechanics can also work excellently in unusual combinations.
