Space Lab
Space Lab at your next game night?
Add Space Lab to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Johannes Goupy , Corentin Lebrat
- Publisher Studio H , Czacha Games , DSV Games , Frosted Games , GateOnGames
- Illustration Léa Menard
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You build an international space station by recruiting members from the world’s major space agencies and placing lab cards around your capsules. The game emphasizes hand management, multi-use cards and set collection, with players collecting cards from agency piles or a recruitment center. The pacing matters: watch for the end to maximize end game bonuses.
Who Is This Game For?
Suitable for players who like compact hobby games: Space Lab targets families with experience and hobby players who prefer short sessions. It supports solo play and up to four players, and the 30-minute duration makes it ideal for quick strategic games rather than long, heavy campaigns.
How It Works
On your turn you take cards of a single agency from the top of the deck or the recruitment area and manage your hand to use cards for multiple purposes. You place lab cards around capsules (tableau-building) to trigger effects and score via set collection and end game bonuses. Efficient hand management and timing the game end are key to scoring well.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Johannes Goupy and Corentin Lebrat and published in 2025, Space Lab mixes Multi-Use Cards with tableau-building in a tight 30-minute card game. It also has digital implementations, including Board Game Arena, per the family information.
Pro
- Short playtime (~30 minutes) — great for quick sessions
- Solo-capable (1 player) according to player range
- Tight mechanical mix: Hand Management, Multi-Use Cards, Set Collection
- Available digitally on Board Game Arena (Digital Implementations)
Contra
- May be too compact for players seeking long, deep strategies
- Takes a few rounds to master efficient hand-management
Setting & atmosphere
The theme centers on international space stations and space research: recruit agency personnel and complete prestigious outer-space projects. The sci‑fi setting is taken from the publisher description.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on learning how Multi-Use Cards interact with your tableau and how set collection feeds into end game bonuses; try solo or two-player rounds to practice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The player count includes 1, so solo play is supported.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is listed as about 30 minutes; setup and explanation keep it compact.
What prior experience do I need?
Recommended for ages 10+; basic familiarity with hand-management or card games helps.
How does this compare to similar games?
Space Lab combines tableau-building and Multi-Use Cards in short sessions, rather than long engine-building titles.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes — with a minimum age of 10, families with some tabletop experience will enjoy it most.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Hand Management and Multi-Use Cards within a tableau-building framework is central.
Fazit
A concise, tactical card game for 1–4 players that blends tableau-building and set collection. Recommended if you want short, meaningful card play; those seeking deep, long-form engines may find it too compact.
Space Lab at your next game night?
Add Space Lab to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Space Lab to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
