Welcome To The Moon review: the best flip-and-write game?
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Brief summary: Welcome To The Moon is the third installment in the Welcome To trilogy and elevates the flip-and-write formula to a new level. With 8 different boards and an extensive campaign mode of over 160 games, it feels like dozens of games are packed into one box. Laminated boards, markers, and wipes also make it completely reusable.
What is Welcome To The Moon and how does it work?
Welcome To The Moon is a flip-and-write game: cards are flipped, players simultaneously make a choice and fill in the chosen number on their board. They must respect the rules and maximize their score.
The core is the same as its predecessors Welcome To… and Welcome To Las Vegas, but the execution goes a step further. The game offers two modes: the classic variant with 8 different boards (each with adapted rules), and an extensive campaign mode where you follow a story spanning over 160 games, complete with a thick scenario book.
How does it differ from Welcome To… and Welcome To Las Vegas?
While the first two parts are fairly straightforward, Welcome To The Moon truly adds new depth:
- 8 different boards instead of one — each with different rules and strategies
- A full campaign mode with a scenario book and continuous story
- More combo possibilities which rewards strategy more
The result: more depth and strategy than the original version, without actually becoming more difficult. Those who enjoyed playing the first parts will easily get into this one.
How is the execution and the material?
A big plus is the execution: the game boards are laminated, and markers and wipes are included. No wasted score sheets — everything is reusable. For a game that you can play hundreds of times, that's a great choice.
The game also contains many references to space travel, including to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. A charming detail that perfectly supports the space theme for those who notice it.
How difficult is the explanation?
Honestly: explaining the rules is a stumbling block. What seemed so simple with the basic game suddenly appears much more complex here. With a table full of friends and the manual at hand, I had to persevere.
Fortunately, in practice it wasn't too bad: once the first cards were flipped, things quickly improved. Even the least game-minded players were fully engaged after two or three turns. Our tip: don't explain everything perfectly from the start, just begin with the first board and let the rules reveal themselves as you go along.
Who is Welcome To The Moon suitable for?
Welcome To The Moon is ideal for:
- Fans of the Welcome To series looking for more depth
- Families and groups looking for an accessible but challenging game
- Players who enjoy campaign games and long-term replayability
- Children who are just learning to write — our son loved writing the numbers in the spaceship
- Solo players looking for a deep, repeatable puzzle game
Final verdict: is Welcome To The Moon worth it?
💎 Hidden gem
Welcome To The Moon is a pure recommendation. It combines recognizable simplicity with surprising depth, and offers almost endless replayability thanks to the variants and the campaign. It's no surprise it scores 7.9/10 on BoardGameGeek and ranks 25th in the family games category. After one evening of playing, we feel like we've only just scratched the surface — and that's exactly what you want from a game with this ambition.
Order Welcome To The Moon at Bove Bove →
Similar games you might be interested in
- Looking for another themed roll-and-write? → Check out Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
- Prefer a cooperative tile-laying game with depth? → Check out Dorfromantik The Board Game
- For those who love puzzle card games? → Check out Cartographers