Last modified December 10, 2025 by Jarjar
Overview
In Galileo Galilei, by the author of the excellent SETIIn this game, you embody historical figures and attempt to leave your mark by making major astronomical discoveries in the 16th and 17th centuries. The core gameplay revolves around an original mechanic: you move your telescope each turn to select actions from various options, such as observing the sky, writing at the library, or teaching at the university. You must juggle your scientific ambitions with managing the Inquisition. Collect planet and star system cards, as well as different colored lenses (dice), to achieve your scientific breakthroughs, while progressively upgrading your telescope and actions to maximize your chances of victory. This is the first title published by Pink Troubadour, a new Czech publisher launched in 2024.
We open the box here !
My first impressions
First, having been won over by SETII had to try this game, knowing full well it would be something lighter. It's still space-themed, but in a different niche than aliens: observing the sky with figures who have made their mark on this science. The theme itself appeals to me: the sky has always fascinated me, having aspired to be an astronaut. Yes, the game is lighter, but still substantial, with satisfying combos and plenty of choices. You definitely need to enjoy planning a few turns ahead. I like the challenge of managing the Inquisition: if you ignore it, it can be very detrimental, but if you manage it well, it can provide valuable victory points. But be careful not to recruit Inquisitors at the end of the game: you won't have time to convince them, which could cost you the victory (right, Elliot? 😊)
This game sits somewhere between an advanced family title and a game for experienced players. It offers original mechanics centered around the telescope, while remaining accessible thanks to a clean and well-thought-out design. The pace is engaging, the depth satisfying, and the components impressive with their immersive illustrations. Replayability is ensured by the astronomers' asymmetrical powers, the variety of objectives, and the academic paths. A mode without powers is also available for experienced players who want a different experience.
The principle is simple: you move your telescope 1 to 3 spaces and perform two actions from those offered. Observing celestial bodies requires managing your observation dice, each representing a color of the light spectrum. With a single color, you can observe constellations, and with a combination of two dice of different colors, you can observe a celestial body and collect the card, which will enhance your library. I really like this book-writing mechanic, which allows you to perform each action on an icon in a row of books: the more celestial bodies you observe, the more interesting bonuses you'll receive.
Observing comets reduces the cost of observing stars and constellations by 1 or 2, or even turns into a bonus. The game aims to find a delicate balance between scientific discovery and the watchful eyes of the Inquisition, a central source of tension that can be tricky for less experienced players. The game doesn't drag on unnecessarily: when the deck of star cards is depleted, it's over. We played it in under 1 hour and 20 minutes with 3 or 4 players.
GAME FACTS
>> The development process was particularly interesting. Holek designed the first prototype and worked on the game for about two years, focusing entirely on it. The designer explained that his interest in astronomy was decisive, and he spent several weeks thinking about the game's main mechanic, especially the rotating telescope.
>> For the illustrations, Michal Peichl drew inspiration from historical documents and ancient astronomy, seeking to make the visual style consistent with the era. He opted for an aesthetic close to what astronomers of the past might have imagined, rather than a futuristic or modern style.
SOLO MODE
The single-player mode lets you play against an AI called Tycho Brahe. Tycho doesn't take the color of the dice into account for his actions and is quite random, making it difficult to predict his moves. He remains difficult to beat, so he certainly offers a good challenge.
EXTENSION
This expansion (2025) for Galileo Galilei introduces the Moon as a new object of observation, adding a new scoring mechanic to explore. It also offers four new characters, each with unique abilities. Furthermore, powerful inquisitors enter the game, offering great rewards to those who can successfully persuade them. But be warned, this is a very expensive expansion!
RULE POINTS
The icon showing a colored die with one or two arrows allows you to go up all the dice of the same color.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Number of games played: 3 (solo, 3 and 4 players)
Best player configuration: 3
Price paid: $92 CAN (French version)
Difficulty level: Borderline between advanced family game / experienced player (BGG complexity: 3.05/5)
My best score: 68
MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I loved :
>> Large, beautifully illustrated maps.
>> Innovative mechanics with this telescope!
>> Satisfying combinations.
>> This library, once filled, becomes very interesting.
>> This management of the Inquisition puts pressure on.
>> Good depth despite only 2 actions per turn.
>> The duration vs. depth ratio is very interesting.
I liked less:
>> The extension is very expensive!
>> We can question the long-term replayability, because we tend to do the same thing in each game.
Galileo Galilei shines through its ability to offer fairly deep gameplay while remaining surprisingly smooth and accessible. Its well-oiled mechanics create interesting choices and satisfying combos without ever weighing down the experience. The game strikes a good balance between optimization, tension, and theme. It's a pleasant surprise!
FUN FACTOR 🙂 🙂 🙂