- BGG rank
- BGG #29,982
- BGG rating
- 3.7
Star Wars: Rescue on Geonosis
- 2–4 players
- 1 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2002
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- BGG rating
- 5.1
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1978
Rules assistance for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 20 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.0/5
Rules assistant for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a board game released in 1978 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Secret Unit Deployment.
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About the game
From the box: Imagine this. First you see some spaceships. Then your mind becomes possessed; you see visions of Devil's Tower in Wyoming; you hear a weird, mysterious 5-note melody; you travel to Devil's Tower only to discover that others have come for the same purpose. You learn that only one of you will be allowed to board. To board the Mother Ship, you must compete against the others in a game, and win. The game. During the game you and your opponents move between Devil's Tower and the Mother Ship. As you move, you try to avoid the hidden traps that your opponents have set for you. At the same time, you try to slow your opponents' progress by creating hidden traps of your own. It's a game of mystery, of concentration, of chance. To play, you'll need nerves of steel. To win, you'll need a few lucky breaks. It's exciting. It's fun. It's unusual. Best of all, it's a game designed to be shared by the entire family.
Editions
- Close Encounters of the Third KindenParker Brothers1978
- Close Encounters of the Third KindenParker Brothers1978
- Close Encounters of the Third KindenToltoys1978
Categories
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Toltoys
Questions and answers
Close Encounters of the Third Kind supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Close Encounters of the Third Kind is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Close Encounters of the Third Kind for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind belongs to these categories: Movies / TV / Radio theme and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Secret Unit Deployment. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Close Encounters of the Third Kind as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.