>>96375710
You've seen over a dozen games this year that offer a 3 tier rotating board that positionally abstracts opportunity cost and area control mechanisms?

>>96375725
The alien modules do introduce some interesting mechanics beyond scoring options, but some are definitely better than others. I didn't love the Starship trooper bug aliens that basically just tacks on a pick up and deliver mechanism with dynamic rewards. The card rewards you get from the aliens I think are the best part though. They're all fairly strong and feel relatively thematic. One of my criticisms is that if you don't get early investment onto the aliens it's really tough to stay in the game without the strength of those cards. I can see the aliens getting old if you play it all the time, but I think they're releasing an expansion with more aliens fairly soon.

My main criticism of the game is that it's 30 minutes too long. A teaching game or any AP at the table and you'll be nearing the 3 hour mark.