What is Spare Parts?
Spare Parts is a fast-paced and highly interactive drafting game of Robotic Repair that is simple to learn but hard to master.
Using unique drafting mechanics with a sci-fi theme, Spare Parts has players competing with one another to see who can finish the repairs of a set of three Robots first. To do this, players will need to sift through piles of junk to collect critical component cards, while stifling the plans of other players with special action and reaction cards.
Only one may be crowned the Sovereign of the Scrapheap, so race to complete your mechanical menagerie before the others or be left to rust in peace!
How to Play:
Each player chooses a set of three Robots that they are tasked with repairing and places each of them with the “front side” facing up. Each Robot has a different combination of components needed to repair it, which players will need to gather through the drafting of cards.
A Robot’s Front Side with the required components and it’s completed back side.
Players draft from a number of Junk Piles that are set out next to the “Scrapheap” (a shared deck). These piles contain the necessary components to repair robots, as well as special action and reaction cards that can manipulate the draft or thwart the plans of other players.
Starting with the Junk Pile furthest from the deck, the active player looks at all of its contents and decides whether or not they want to add those cards to their hand. If they do, they take each card and replace the pile with a single card from the top of the Scrapheap (face down). If they wish to pass on the cards in that Pile and see another one, they instead add a card from the top of the Scrapheap before looking at the contents of the next Pile. If they pass on all three Piles this way, the player draws a single card from the top of the Scrapheap.
After taking their cards, a player then can play any number of action cards and add up to five component cards face up into their “Workshop”. At the start of their next turn, if they have the necessary components to complete a Robot’s repairs, they can discard those components and flip the Robot to the repaired side, scoring it. The first player to repair all three of their Robots is the winner!
Action and Reaction Cards:
Not all the cards players collect will be components, as there are also a number of special action and reaction cards that players will draft.
Action cards can be played after a player has picked up their cards for the turn and can provide a range of powerful effects like drawing extra cards, returning components from the discard pile, or even removing components from another player’s workshop!
Reaction cards are similar, but require a specific event to occur before they can be played. Unlike action cards however, they can be played in another player’s turn, giving you an opportunity to put a glitch in your opponent’s well oiled plans! Whether it’s shutting down a key action card or even delaying the repair of one of their robots, Reactions give players powerful options to control, alter and delete the opposition.
Review: Rachel E, Chief Marketing Officer
I had the chance to playtest Spare Parts, a new card game by Kian Edwards, a few weeks ago with my family, including my two teenage children, and I have to say, it was a blast! Even in its prototype stage, the game was impressively well-designed and thought out. The objective is clear, the rules are easy to grasp, and the game flows smoothly with fast-paced action that keeps everyone engaged.
What really stood out was how Spare Parts encourages player interaction. It’s not just about collecting points—there’s a real sense of competition mixed with fun social moments. The theme of the game ties perfectly with the mechanics, and the illustrations and graphic design elements really contribute to the overall feel, enhancing the gameplay experience.
One of the best aspects is its replay-ability. We had a great time in our first round, and subsequent games were just as enjoyable. The game’s setup is quick, and explaining the rules takes no time at all, making it easy to jump into. It’s a game for everyone—whether you’re a hardcore strategist, looking for a fun family game, or somewhere in between. It strikes the right balance, rewarding both those who love deep strategies and those just in it for the fun.
The game’s length is spot on. It’s short enough to keep kids engaged without losing interest, but still leaves you wanting more. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, and that makes for an ideal gaming experience.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t crowned as the Sovereign of the Scrapheap this time around—but next time, hopefully! Once it’s more widely available, if you’re looking for a game that fosters social interaction, light-hearted competition, and plenty of replay-ability, Spare Parts is definitely one to check out.
Collide Games 