
2026Chris A. Williams
Mainly reviews. Observatory is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 8 reviews, 1 how-to-play guides, 2 recorded sessions, and 2 other videos.
From BoardGameGeek
The night sky is divided into 88 Constellations. From those 88 Constellations, Asterisms are created as additional patterns. You and your fellow astral cartographers will map the night sky in this roll and write family friendly game. Each Constellation and Asterism card contains details about the pattern, providing for an educational experience as well. On each player's turn, they will roll all of the dice. The active player is the only one to use the larger dice to plot a star. All of the other players, including the active player, will choose from the three smaller dice by picking two numbers for their chart coordinates and one for its research value. The Constellation and Asterism cards have their own mapping patterns you must draw in your grid. As you complete cards, you earn victory points and other bonus actions. Your research area is where you will use one die per turn to advance your equipment and funding resources. Rounds are based on the number of players and final scoring is tallied from your completed constellations and asterisms, as well as any funding you have unlocked in your research hub. -description from the designer
Observatory has 13 videos from 12 creators: 8 reviews, 1 how-to-play guide, 2 playthroughs and 2 other videos. They date from February to June 2025.
To learn the rules, start with "All the Games with Steph: Observatory" by Steph Hodge, which runs 53 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "Observatory Roll and Write Your Night Sky" by Rahdo Runs Through. 8 creators have reviewed it. To see it played, watch "Observatory Solo Play - Rolling to the Stars" by Merry Married Meeples, one of 2 playthroughs.
If you like it, try Obelus, also by Chris A. Williams, or French Quarter, Dungeon Pages: Core Set and Four Against Darkness, which share several of its mechanics.
8 of 12
2024Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle
1 - 4 players30 - 60 minMedium weight
2023Jason Greeno, Jason Tagmire
1 players20 - 30 minLight weight
2016Andrea Sfiligoi
1 players45 - 75 minMedium weight
From BoardGameGeek:
The night sky is divided into 88 Constellations. From those 88 Constellations, Asterisms are created as additional patterns. You and your fellow astral cartographers will map the night sky in this roll and write family friendly game. Each Constellation and Asterism card contains details about the pattern, providing for an educational experience as well. On each player's turn, they will roll all of the dice. The active player is the only one to use the larger dice to plot a star. All of the other players, including the active player, will choose from the three smaller dice by picking two numbers for their chart coordinates and one for its research value. The Constellation and Asterism cards have their own mapping patterns you must draw in your grid. As you complete cards, you earn victory points and other bonus actions. Your research area is where you will use one die per turn to advance your equipment and funding resources. Rounds are based on the number of players and final scoring is tallied from your completed constellations and asterisms, as well as any funding you have unlocked in your research hub. -description from the designer
Designer
Chris A. Williams
Artist
Snow Conrad
Publisher
25th Century Games
Categories
Mechanics