Final Exam on a Toxic Alien Planet!

Not your average roll-and-write. Rather a full-blown exam on a deadly alien planet, and I was determined to ace it.

In Starfront Scouting Academy, you take on the role of a cadet sent to analyze four unique terrains of an uninhabitable planet. It’s a final exam like no other, and your goal is simple: outscore your fellow scouts and graduate at the top of your class.

The concept of the game had me hooked immediately, and with Chris Backe as the designer, my curiosity shot up faster than a scout shuttle. I had already played his Dragon vs Kingdom, so expectations were high.

Setting it up was easy. Print a few sheets, grab five dice, and you’re good to go. The solo mode introduces a clever automa called the Storm Stimulator, which really shook things up for me. Every decision mattered. Every number I wrote down felt like it could make or break my run.

And yes, I failed my first attempt. Scored just 43 points. For someone who still remembers sweating over real exams, that score hit a little too hard. But the second round? A proud 77. I’ll take my B+ and aim higher next time!

The game shines in both solo and multiplayer modes. I had a blast in 1v1 games, where it felt like a constant duel of wits. With four players, the tension spiked and the post-game score check was filled with suspicion and laughter.

What really stood out was how perfectly the game blended its exam theme with actual gameplay. From the Scouting Exam Sheets to the dice-driven pattern-building, it all worked together to build pressure, encourage creativity, and trigger that familiar exam-day excitement. Or nervousness!

If you're a fan of dice manipulation, strategic thinking, or just want to feel like you're back in school but with cooler gadgets and toxic planets, give this game a shot!

You have less than 2 days in hand, so make sure to back the game if you're interested.