The Pioneers Program (2017)

About this game

The Pioneers Program is a post-apocalyptic, town building board game for 3-6 players. Players can plan, build, venture into the wastes or complete research on their harsh new world. Actions are limited and players need to choose wisely how to spend them. Each round players select a new survivor to help them, each brings their own strengths and selecting wisely is important, as is gaining turn order to allow you to choose sooner rather than later. Grow too quickly and you may face unwanted attention. Balancing the size of your town with food production and defensive capabilities is essential and made all the more difficult by hordes of Viralz, the new race of ascendants or even a marauding gang of bikers.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 6.
• Rules load. At 2.2/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 13 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.