Leaving Ground

Say goodbye to Earth. The race is on to colonize Venus. Inspired on the one hit wonder song The Final Countdown by Europe. In our third month of one hit wonders, we have a game inspired by The Final Countdown, which 100% makes me think of Gob Bluth from Arrested Development. In this game, you will try to get all cards from 10-A then claim "It's the final countdown!" to win. There's a little press your luck, and some fun face-card powers, as well as the ongoing tradition of great starting player rules. —description from the publisher Leaving Ground is a trick-taking game played with a regular deck of cards, in which players attempt to complete a countdown to launch their rockets by assembling a run from 10 to A (of any suit); winning a trick doesn't award all cards played, but gives a powerful bonus that can give an edge over your competition. Face cards, while not contributing to your countdown, have special abilities that can be used to affect gameplay -- perhaps just what you need to eke out a win! —description from the publisher Delivered on Board Game of the Month Club March 2017 package.