Nemesis
SEMI-COOPERATIVE ALIEN-HORROR SURVIVAL BOARD GAME by ADAM KWAPIŃSKI + AWAKEN REALMS (Poland, 2018). 1-5 players wake from cryosleep on a stricken deep-space vessel infested with Alien-like INTRUDERS. Each player has SECRET OBJECTIVES that often conflict with survival — betrayal is expected. Iconic THREAT DECK spawns aliens by 'sound' events; NOISE from actions attracts monsters. HIGH TENSION + BEAUTIFUL MINIATURES + narrative-heavy. Follow-up games: NEMESIS: LOCKDOWN (2022, underground base), NEMESIS: RETALIATION (2023, sci-fi combat expansion). Massive KICKSTARTER success (multiple $2-3M campaigns).
What is Nemesis?
NEMESIS is a SEMI-COOPERATIVE ALIEN-HORROR SURVIVAL BOARD GAME designed by ADAM KWAPIŃSKI + published by AWAKEN REALMS (Wroclaw, Poland; also Etherfields, Tainted Grail, ISS Vanguard, THE GREAT WALL). Released 2018 via KICKSTARTER (raised $2.4M, one of biggest board game Kickstarters). Explicitly INSPIRED BY the ALIEN + ALIENS franchise + THE THING + Prometheus atmosphere. 1-5 PLAYERS wake from cryosleep on the STRICKEN DEEP-SPACE VESSEL 'NEMESIS' infested with ALIEN-LIKE INTRUDERS (parasites → adult drones → warriors → queens). Each player has SECRET PERSONAL OBJECTIVES (assigned at game start; often CONFLICTING — e.g., 'Get to Bridge alive' vs 'Ensure Nemesis crashes into Earth' vs 'Bring back live Intruder'). BETRAYAL IS EXPECTED + built into game. Iconic THREAT DECK spawns aliens by 'sound' events; NOISE from actions (running, firing gun, using tools) attracts monsters. HIGH TENSION game — cryogenic pods can suddenly fail, characters get infected with parasites (roll dice to survive), Intruders swarm from vents, fires spread through ship, oxygen drops. BEAUTIFUL MINIATURES (25+ Intruder variants + 6 crew miniatures) painted by community; ship map is atmospheric + modular. 90-180 MIN game. HIGHLY NARRATIVE — every play generates own horror story. FOLLOW-UP GAMES: NEMESIS: LOCKDOWN (2022 Kickstarter $3M raised, underground research base setting, more player-vs-player emphasis), NEMESIS: RETALIATION (2023 Kickstarter, sci-fi combat expansion), NEMESIS: TERMINAL (upcoming 2025), NEMESIS: BIOHAZARD (2024 zombie-flavored spinoff). Considered ONE OF THE BEST-DESIGNED thematic board games ever + gateway to the AWAKEN REALMS Kickstarter empire. WARNING: high complexity + long setup + heavy player emotional investment (great for horror fans; overwhelming for casual).
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Team sport
Players
1–5
Duration
~150 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Modular tabletop board
Country of origin
🇵🇱 Poland
Estimated origin
2018 Kickstarter + 2019 general retail; Lockdown 2022; Retaliation 2023
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Complete your SECRET OBJECTIVE (varies per player) AND survive the ship. Multiple win conditions per player = often only 1-2 win, sometimes nobody wins.
Rules
Basic rules
Each player takes crew role: Captain, Soldier, Scientist, Sentinel, Medic, Mechanic (6 characters)
Different abilities + starting inventory.
Secret Objectives assigned at game start (often conflicting)
Motivates betrayal + secrecy.
Take actions each turn: Move, Fire, Perform action, Rest, Search
Actions cost Action Cards from hand.
Noise from loud actions (running, firing) triggers Intruder spawns
Central tension mechanic.
Infection: getting attacked risks parasite implantation (chestburster)
Sudden death mid-game if untreated.
Escape via escape pod OR return to Earth via bridge control OR complete other objective
Multiple exit strategies.
Scoring
Win/lose per player based on personal objective + surviving. Not VP-based.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Complete secret objective + survive | Personal win (rare achievement) |
| Die on ship | Personal loss (common) |
| Fail to complete objective but survive | Partial win/loss |
Win condition · Complete personal secret objective AND either escape via pod OR safely return to Earth. Multiple asymmetric win conditions.
Playing area
Called
Modular tabletop board
Dimensions
Large table space (~90cm × 90cm setup)
Home tabletop; requires large table for modular ship + miniatures + card space.
Equipment
Nemesis base game ($120-150 USD)
Retail edition; miniatures + cards + modular board
Nemesis: Lockdown ($120-150)
Standalone sequel; separate game, different setting
Awaken Realms Kickstarter exclusive add-ons ($20-80 each)
Alien queen + medic + additional characters
Strategies
Don't reveal objective; misdirect opponents
Hidden info is key.
Balance progress vs safety
Rush + die easily; slow + run out of time.
Cooperate strategically until objectives diverge
Semi-coop; help until you don't.
Manage Intruder threat levels
Higher threat = more spawns.
Escape pod is popular exit; guard it
Only certain pods accessible.
Terminology
- Intruder
- Alien enemy; parasites → adults → queens (bag draw system).
- Threat Deck
- Card deck triggering Intruder actions + spawns.
- Noise marker
- Placed on room when loud action taken; attracts Intruders.
- Objective
- Secret personal win condition assigned at game start.
- Crew role
- Character with unique abilities (Captain, Soldier, etc.).
- Cryogenic Pod
- Sleeping crew; can be woken or die from failure events.
- Egg Room / Nest
- Alien breeding rooms; source of larvae.
- Escape Pod
- Lifeboat; primary escape route.
- Bridge
- Control room; determine ship destination.
- Infection
- Parasite from Intruder attacks; risk of chestburster.
Major competitions
Awaken Realms official conventions + demos
periodic · worldwide · since 2019
BGG.CON demos + community events
annual · USA + worldwide · since 2019
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Awaken Realms (publisher)
Founded 2015 · Wroclaw, Poland
BoardGameGeek (community tracking)
Founded 2000 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Adam Kwapiński (PL) — Designer
- Awaken Realms artists (Piotr Krezelewski et al.) — Iconic art + miniatures
- Rahdo Runs Through / Watch It Played / Man vs Meeple — Popular reviewers
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Nemesis base game ($120-150)
Kickstarter versions have more content but retail is cheaper.
- 2
Watch Watch It Played tutorial
Complex rules; teach before playing.
intermediate
- 1
Play 3-4 games to internalize
Learn Intruder types + objective variety.
advanced
- 1
Try Lockdown (harder, different setting)
Standalone sequel.
- 2
Solo campaign mode
Play multiple crew simultaneously.
Frequently asked
What is Nemesis?+
SEMI-COOPERATIVE ALIEN-HORROR SURVIVAL BOARD GAME by ADAM KWAPIŃSKI + AWAKEN REALMS (Poland, 2018). 1-5 players wake from cryosleep on a stricken deep-space vessel infested with Alien-like INTRUDERS. Each player has SECRET OBJECTIVES that often conflict with survival — betrayal is expected. Iconic THREAT DECK spawns aliens by 'sound' events; NOISE from actions attracts monsters. HIGH TENSION + BEAUTIFUL MINIATURES + narrative-heavy. Multiple sequels: LOCKDOWN (2022), RETALIATION (2023), TERMINAL (2025). Massive KICKSTARTER success (multiple $2-3M campaigns).
Nemesis vs Nemesis Lockdown — which to buy?+
BOTH ARE STANDALONE. Original NEMESIS (2018) = space ship + Alien-inspired atmosphere; considered the classic. NEMESIS LOCKDOWN (2022) = underground research base setting, more player-vs-player emphasis + refined rules. RECOMMENDATION: START WITH ORIGINAL NEMESIS ($120-150) for iconic setting + gateway experience. LOCKDOWN if you love Nemesis + want new setting + slightly more polished rules. Both are excellent semi-coop horror experiences; can be played independently.
Sources & provenance
- Awaken Realms — Nemesis— Awaken Realms
- BoardGameGeek — Nemesis— BoardGameGeek