Zenith Review

One Line to Venus.

The bridge of the Aphid was quiet. I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it. A room full of people, but the only sounds to be heard were the low hum of the engine and the occasional click of the keyboard by our navigator.

After months of maneuvering, the momentum in the race for Senate control had turned against us. Captain Valence, the darling of the Jovian system, had us on the back foot. While we scraped for influence, Valence had tightened his hold on Jupiter. He was practically royalty there, and his gravity was pulling the rest of the system into his orbit.

Staring at the tactical pad in front of me, I could see my reflection.

God, I look tired.

Product: Zenith

Designer: Grégory Grard, Mathieu Roussel

Publisher: PlayPunk, Gém Klub Kft., Luma Imports

Price: $39.99

Age: 12+

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Valence’s gravitas on Jupiter forced me to rethink our approach. Rather than gain control over a single planet, we’ve worked to spread ourselves out across all of the contested planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter — making in-roads with local populations and leaders. It hasn’t necessarily been easy, either. Doing so has stretched our resources thin.

Valence knew it, too. He hadn’t just sat on his throne — he’d been surgical, calculated in his deployment of agents, running disruptive efforts against us and hindering our channels of communication and commerce across the system. Now, the Aphid was running on fumes, with our reserves low on credits, and even lower on zenithium. If we didn't refuel soon, we wouldn't just lose the election — we’d be drifting dead in the void.

It all came down to this, a single line thrown out to the councilors of Venus. We only needed one to bite.

I looked over the crew and saw that they were tired, too. My mind turned to the nights the animod Khan and I spent down on Mercury, the days drifting on earth with Sam, and all of our collective efforts on Mars; it would all be for naught if we couldn’t secure Venus before Valence finalized his dealings on Jupiter. 

Before I got lost too deeply into my own thoughts, a voice rang out.

“Captain Einin, receiving communication from agents Hiroshi and Ilda on the surface!”

“Patch them through, Lieutenant.”

I stood up, instinctively straightening my uniform. I’d read once that posture carries through the voice — that if you want to command respect, you have to act like the other person is in the room. But it wasn't just for Hiroshi. It was also for the crew. They had sacrificed time with their families, sleep, and sanity. They needed to see a Captain, a real leader.

I could only pray the call had good news.

"Captain," the static crackled, followed by a breathless voice. "Agent Hiroshi reporting. We… we’ve secured an audience with Councilor Aevis at the capital."

I held my breath. "And?"

"She’s pledged, Captain." Hiroshi’s professional tone cracked, letting a laugh slip through. 

"She’s backing you at the next session. She also wanted to convey that she appreciates the… 'mutual support.'"

A wry smile began to crawl across my face.

Waves of relief washed over everyone in the room. We were still in it. With Venus secured, the math worked. We held the inner system. Even without Jupiter, I had the votes to seize the majority. Provided Valence doesn’t get to it before us.

“Great work, Hiroshi,” I said, trying to keep my demeanor calm and professional, “secure transport back to the Aphid for agent Ilda and yourself. We’re breaking orbit within the hour. Out.”

The communication was now closed, but another call remained to be made.

“Lieutenant, put out an open message to all members of the senate.”

"Ready, Captain. What’s the message?"

I took a deep breath, trying desperately to calm the nerves that sent shivers through me.

“I am calling for a session to be held so we may vote on the next Senate Majority Leader.”

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. A silence that threatened to swallow me whole should it not be broken. The crew watched the main screen, waiting for the central AI to acknowledge the claim.

“CONFIRMED. SESSION WILL BE HELD ON 11/15/2487 AT 12:00 UNIVERSAL TIME.”

The bridge stayed silent for one heartbeat more, and then erupted. Cheers, whistles, and laughter filled the air. I looked around at them — my navigator wiping his eyes, my comms officer giggling into her headset.

Calmly, I adjusted my cuffs, looking toward the viewport and the distant stars. My thoughts drifted to the empty bunks, the agents we lost to get here. The tech we bled to build.

I looked down at our navigator.

"Well then. Let’s make our way to the Curia."

As the engines of the Aphid roared to life, propelled by the last of our reserves and a renewed hope, I made a vow to those we left behind.

For them, I’m going to do some good.

Verdict

In Zenith, players will struggle to gain Influence on 5 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. A strategy game with engine building elements, Zenith will see players manage resources, calculate where to best place their pieces, and ponder how best to interfere with their opponent’s plans. Each game takes 25-35 minutes but will keep you engaged the entire way though thanks to high player interactivity and a large number of moving parts. It also sports great board presence and immaculate artwork. It’s a great time, all around.  

Disclosure: We received a free copy of this title from the publisher.