Best Co-op Board Games for Couples | The Crew The Quest for Planet Nine | Fun, Strategy & Replayability
by Eliza
Hey friends! Today’s post is all about The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine. It’s a cooperative trick-taking card game where you and your crew travel through space, completing missions together in search of the mysterious ninth planet. This was actually our first Crew game and we finished the entire campaign! Later, we picked up The Crew Mission Deep Sea, but honestly, Planet Nine is still my favorite. The missions feel tighter, the theme works beautifully, and the teamwork really shines. It’s no surprise this game sits in the Top 100 on BoardGameGeek. If you love clever card play and true cooperation, let’s dive in!
The Crew The Quest for Planet Nine (2019)
Into to the box and to the game
The game is recommended for 3 players, which is really the sweet spot, but don’t worry if you’re playing with just 2. There’s a special mode for that! In this 2 player version, one of the players controls an artificial third player, which adds an interesting twist. The artificial player has 7 cards face down, with one card face up at a time. When a card is played, the face down card is revealed. This way, there’s still a sense of mystery, and it stops you from just counting the cards to figure out what the other player might have. This system works surprisingly well and keeps the game engaging. There are 50 missions, starting easy to help you learn the mechanics and get into the game, and then progressively getting more difficult. It’s a fantastic way to test your skills and teamwork as you venture deeper into space.
Now, let’s talk about The Crew’s box and components. The box is compact but feels solid, with great quality that’s perfect for storing the game. Inside, you’ll find the components are simple but effective. The rulebook is cleverly designed, almost like a mini book, with all the missions. The cards are really fun, featuring cool space themed graphics like astronauts, rockets, and classic 80s style neon colors. They give the game a nostalgic, retro vibe, perfect for those who love a bit of space flair. You’ll also get mission tokens and a small but important set of cards that drive the game’s trick taking mechanics.
How to Play
Setup Shuffle the deck and deal all the cards evenly between the players. Each mission tells you which task cards to take and what needs to be achieved to win. One player becomes the Commander, this is the person holding the highest rocket card.
On Your Turn Players take turns playing one card into the trick, following classic trick taking rules:
- You must follow suit if you can.
- The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick (unless a rocket is played, which always wins).
If you win a trick, you collect it and check whether you completed any task cards you were responsible for. Tasks might require you to win a specific card, avoid certain cards, or win tricks in a particular order. Communication is limited, you can’t freely talk about your cards. Instead, you’re allowed to use a small communication token once per mission to give a tiny hint about one card in your hand.
Playing with Two Players Even though the box says 3 to 5 players, this is actually one of my favorite games to play at two. In the 2 player mode, a third artificial player is added. This player has a small hand of cards placed face down, with one card face up on top. One of the real players controls this third hand, but here’s the twist: when the visible card is played, the next face down card is revealed. This keeps a layer of uncertainty and prevents perfect information. Surprisingly, this works really well. There are still hidden cards, tough decisions, and moments where things go wrong in the most dramatic way, just like in a full group.
Winning To win a mission, the crew must complete all the assigned tasks before running out of cards. If even one task fails, the mission is lost and you’ll need to try again. Missions gradually introduce new rules and challenges, making the game feel like a real journey rather than separate rounds.
Why You’ll Love It
- Brilliant cooperative twist on classic trick taking card games.
- Each mission feels fresh and introduces clever new challenges.
- Strong focus on teamwork, timing, and silent communication.
- Scales very well, even the two player mode works surprisingly great.
Keep in Mind
- The difficulty ramps up fast, which might be a bit much for very casual players.
- Not ideal for players who dislike card games or trick taking mechanics.
- Can feel frustrating at times, especially when a single bad trick ruins a mission.
POV
What really makes The Crew special for me is the communication or rather, the lack of it. You have to read each other’s moves, trust your partner, and think ahead without saying much, which is both challenging and incredibly satisfying. The small bits of story between missions add atmosphere, even if they mostly serve as a backdrop for the clever trick taking gameplay. It’s a game that shines when played with someone you know well, where teamwork really clicks. I’m excited to bring it to a bigger group to see how the dynamics change. Unique, smart, and a must have for both casual and more hardcore gamers.
Until next time, happy gaming!
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