There’s something about the idea of building a rocket ship and heading to the stars to battle evil that really tugs at the memories of youth.
It’s undoubtedly tied to the likes of Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, and perhaps most naturally The Last Starfighter—touchstones that shaped the imaginations of many of us. Maybe those TV shows and films planted the seeds for our gaming obsessions: the desire to explore worlds unknown, now miniaturized into cardboard universes spread across our gaming tables.
Whatever the origin, the idea of building a spaceship remains irresistibly cool—and that brings us to this week’s game, Solar Titans.
From designers Phillip Gee and Xian Wu, and publisher SunnySideUp Games, Solar Titans puts players in command of a starship in the Orion Centauri system, preparing for battle against rival vessels.
The appeal here is clear: players upgrade their ships, manage their crews, and ultimately engage in tactical space combat. It’s a familiar concept, but one executed with enough freshness and finesse to feel both approachable and satisfying.
Via email, the designers explained their inspiration:
“We’re sci-fi and action genre fans, and one of our most played board games was Star Realms. We loved the easy setup, fast pace, and competitive play, and then we came up with the idea of creating our own game about capital ships facing off. My partner was also inspired by one of his favorite PC games, FTL, so Solar Titans is also a homage to that game.”
The pair also noted that they designed the game with busy parents in mind:
“We’re board gamers and also parents of young children, so we wanted a game we—and other parents—could play. That meant Solar Titans needed a quick setup, simple rules, and short sessions built around multiple rounds instead of one long game that might get interrupted.
We also try to be environmentally conscious and wanted our game to be accessible, so we set ourselves the goal of using only cards—no plastic components or molds.”
Mechanically, Solar Titans blends two tried-and-true systems: deck-building and tableau construction.
You’re essentially building your ship card by card, with your layout determining its offensive capabilities and defensive weaknesses. Crew cards let you fire weapons, modify systems, or purchase upgrades from a shifting market.
One standout feature is the game’s six distinct modes. Solar Titans supports solo and co-op boss battles against powerful AI ships, as well as competitive duels for up to four players—including an intense 2v2 team mode featuring massive titan-class vessels. That range of options makes it highly flexible depending on player count and available time.
According to the designers:
“Players can expect Solar Titans to be a fast-paced, tactical dueling game lasting 20–40 minutes, suitable for one to four players. You’ll build a unique capital ship layout and must keep your ship intact while taking down your opponent’s. Expect competitive, thinky gameplay.
Our favorite part is designing a ship layout that acts as a spatial puzzle. Where you place your plating, weapons, and support systems has huge tactical implications. Do you focus on defense or offense? Do you strike at your opponent’s missile systems or flank them elsewhere? Do you repair immediately or wait to reconfigure? The best part is that every ship—and every battle—will look different each time you play.”
That tactical variability is essential for replayability, and Solar Titans nails it. With so many in-game choices tied to ship building and crew management, players will find plenty to explore over many sessions.
If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding your own starship—and who hasn’t?—Solar Titans is a blast to launch.
Check it out at solartitans.org.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Build a ship and head into battle
It’s undoubtedly tied to the likes of Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, and perhaps most naturally The Last Starfighter—touchstones that shaped the imaginations of many of us. Maybe those TV shows and films planted the seeds for our gaming obsessions: the desire to explore worlds unknown, now miniaturized into cardboard universes spread across our gaming tables.
Whatever the origin, the idea of building a spaceship remains irresistibly cool—and that brings us to this week’s game, Solar Titans.
From designers Phillip Gee and Xian Wu, and publisher SunnySideUp Games, Solar Titans puts players in command of a starship in the Orion Centauri system, preparing for battle against rival vessels.
The appeal here is clear: players upgrade their ships, manage their crews, and ultimately engage in tactical space combat. It’s a familiar concept, but one executed with enough freshness and finesse to feel both approachable and satisfying.
Via email, the designers explained their inspiration:
The pair also noted that they designed the game with busy parents in mind:
Mechanically, Solar Titans blends two tried-and-true systems: deck-building and tableau construction.
You’re essentially building your ship card by card, with your layout determining its offensive capabilities and defensive weaknesses. Crew cards let you fire weapons, modify systems, or purchase upgrades from a shifting market.
One standout feature is the game’s six distinct modes. Solar Titans supports solo and co-op boss battles against powerful AI ships, as well as competitive duels for up to four players—including an intense 2v2 team mode featuring massive titan-class vessels. That range of options makes it highly flexible depending on player count and available time.
According to the designers:
That tactical variability is essential for replayability, and Solar Titans nails it. With so many in-game choices tied to ship building and crew management, players will find plenty to explore over many sessions.
If you’ve ever dreamed of commanding your own starship—and who hasn’t?—Solar Titans is a blast to launch.
Check it out at solartitans.org.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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