Entropy

Move 1–3 spaces on the rondel

On each turn, your Scientist moves one to three spaces clockwise around the main board. You stop at either an inner action space or an outer action tile and resolve that action.

This creates a route-planning puzzle: the action you want now also determines where your scientist begins the next turn.

Creation tokens and passing bonuses

Inner-circle actions use Creation tokens. When your scientist later passes one of your own tokens, you retrieve it and can trigger an additional benefit such as activating a star or gaining Entropy.

The result is a rondel where past action choices leave temporary infrastructure on the track.

Build solar systems

Your tableau develops through Stars, Planets and Asteroids. Stars can evolve through tiers, planets consume Mass and asteroids attach to planets for additional effects.

The system rewards planning whole celestial structures rather than acquiring isolated tiles.

Seed planets with life

Life cards populate your systems and interact with planets and biomes. Biomes add special abilities and create another layer of specialization.

Console upgrades improve your personal capabilities, so your action economy changes during the game rather than remaining static.

Missions and objectives

Players begin with mission cards and can complete one when its conditions are met. Main Objectives create public races, while lifeform objectives reward development of the biological side of the system.

When does Entropy end?

The game ends when any two of the six Main Objectives are completed. Highest victory-point total wins.

Because the trigger is shared and variable, engine development has an uncertain horizon. A player pushing objectives can shorten everyone else’s payoff window.

Solo mode

Board&Dice provides a separate official solo rulebook. That is a strong signal that solo is a designed mode rather than an informal score chase.

Why the rondel is the real planning puzzle

Entropy’s action menu is broad—evolve stars, form planets, create life, set biomes, upgrade the console, catch asteroids and improve resource generation—but the important restriction is movement. Your Scientist must move one to three spaces clockwise, so not every action is equally reachable every turn.

Creation tokens make that route persistent. Leaving a token behind can create a later passing bonus, so a move has value both now and when you circle back past it. This is more structurally important than simply memorizing which individual action is strongest.

Related games

For another space strategy built around a developing technology/economy system, compare Beyond the Sun. For a longer shared-planet engine, see Terraforming Mars. Entropy differs by making movement around the action rondel the center of turn access.

How heavy is it?

BGG complexity voting currently sits around 3.6/5. The rondel itself is understandable, but the density comes from chaining movement, tokens, tableau construction, missions and objective timing.

Who may like Entropy?

It is a strong fit for players who enjoy Luciani-style interconnected euro systems and want a science-fiction theme centered on construction rather than combat.

It is less suitable if you prefer short turns with little forward planning or low-interaction solitaire engines.

FAQ

How many players?

1–4.

How long?

Board&Dice lists 90–120 minutes.

Does it have solo rules?

Yes.

How does the game end?

When any two Main Objectives are completed.

Sources and scope

Checked 7 October 2026 against Board&Dice’s official Entropy page, the publisher’s downloadable multiplayer and solo rules, and the current BoardGameGeek record. Rules are summarized in original wording. Strategic interpretation is editorial and no firsthand playtesting is claimed. Editorial policy and corrections.