
- BGG rank
- BGG #199
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Xia: Legends of a Drift System
- 3–5 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2014

1978
Rules assistance for Strange New Worlds
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Strange New Worlds is a board game released in 1978 for 2–6 players and 90 minutes per game. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move.
Strange New Worlds gives players interstellar space ships placed in an unknown portion of the universe where they must explore, conquer, exploit new galaxies and colonize enough new planets to show a profit. Each planet has unique characteristics requiring the expertise of different members of a player's crew. Components: 182 counters, 24 red back cards PLUS 3 blank red back cards, 54 blue back cards, board and rules.
Strange New Worlds supports 2–6 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 Strange New Worlds is 90 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.
Strange New Worlds has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Strange New Worlds belongs to these categories: Exploration, Adventure, and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move. 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 Strange New Worlds 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.