Line of Fire: Burnt Moon – A Quick but Punchy Board Game Experience
Introduction
Okay, let’s be real—if you’re into tactical board games, you’ve probably lost a weekend or two to Osprey’s Undaunted series. Those games? Pure tension in cardboard form. But here’s the thing: what if you could get that same adrenaline rush in just 30 minutes? That’s where Line of Fire: Burnt Moon comes in. Designed by David Thompson (yeah, the same guy behind Undaunted), it’s like the espresso shot of tactical games. Small, fast, but does it pack the same punch? Let’s break it down.
So What Exactly Is Burnt Moon?
Game Overview
Published by Osprey Games, Burnt Moon is a sci-fi spin-off set in the Undaunted 2200 universe. Think of it as Undaunted‘s cooler, more streamlined cousin. It keeps the deck-building and area control you love but trims the fat for quicker games. No three-hour marathons here—just pure, concentrated strategy.
How It Plays
The goal’s straightforward: complete missions by outmaneuvering your opponent in head-to-head battles. Two players, 30 minutes, no fluff. It’s the kind of game you can squeeze in between dinner and dessert. And honestly? That’s its biggest selling point.
How Does It Stack Up Against Undaunted?
The Familiar Stuff
If you’ve played Undaunted, you’ll recognize the DNA here—deck-building, tight decision-making, that sweet tension of “do I attack now or hold back?” But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t feel watered down. Just… distilled.
What’s Different?
Time, mostly. A full Undaunted game can easily run over an hour, but Burnt Moon wraps up in half that. Fewer components, simpler rules, and a shift from historical battles to sci-fi skirmishes. It’s a trade-off, sure, but one that works. Sometimes you just want a quick fix, you know?
Let’s Talk Gameplay
Setup and Components
Opening the box, you’ll find cards, tokens, and a compact board—nothing overwhelming. Setup takes maybe five minutes, which is a breath of fresh air if you’re used to sprawling war games. Quality’s solid, though don’t expect the same heft as Undaunted.
How Turns Work
Turns fly by. You’ll play cards to move units, attack, or grab objectives. The deck-building is simpler but still matters—bad draws can screw you, just like in the big brother game. Combat’s dice-based, so there’s always that edge-of-your-seat moment when you roll. Pro tip: don’t get too attached to your units.
Replay Value
With multiple missions, each with unique objectives, Burnt Moon stays fresh. No, it doesn’t have Undaunted‘s campaign depth, but it’s not trying to. This is more like a greatest-hits album—short, sweet, and no filler tracks.
The Good, The Bad, and The “Meh”
Pros
- Fast but deep: Like a chess match on speed dial.
- Easy for Undaunted fans: If you know the system, you’re already halfway there.
- Surprisingly replayable: Those mission variants? They matter.
Cons
- Two-player only: No way around this one—it’s strictly 1v1.
- Lighter on story: Don’t expect deep lore dives.
- Might be too simple for some: Hardcore grognards might yawn.
Straight from the Designer’s Mouth
In interviews, David Thompson said he wanted Burnt Moon to feel like Undaunted without the time sink. Mission accomplished, honestly. He also hinted this could be a gateway into bigger Undaunted 2200 projects—so keep an eye out.
So, Should You Buy It?
You’ll Love It If…
You dig Undaunted but don’t always have two hours to spare. Or if you want a tactical game that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
Skip It If…
You crave epic campaigns or need more than two players. Also, if dice-driven combat gives you hives, maybe steer clear.
The Verdict
8.5/10—Burnt Moon nails what it sets out to do. It’s not replacing Undaunted, but it’s a killer alternative when time’s tight.
Where to Grab a Copy
Check BoardGameGeek for community buzz, Amazon for quick shipping, or hit up your local game store. Expect to pay $25-$35—not bad for something this replayable.
Final Thoughts
Line of Fire: Burnt Moon proves good things come in small packages. Whether you’re a hardened Undaunted vet or just dipping your toes into tactical games, this one’s worth a shot. Play it, love it (or don’t), and let me know what you think. And if you’re hooked? Well, the Undaunted rabbit hole goes deep…
Source: IGN – All Games
