Echoes in the Airlock is on Board Game Geek!

Echoes in the Airlock thrusts players into a gripping battle of wits and persuasion aboard a doomed spaceship. With the vessel falling apart and resources dwindling, only one crew member can claim victory—but survival isn’t just about making the right moves; it’s about convincing everyone else to make the wrong ones. In this game, there are no secrets—only strategies, bold plays, and the ability to sway the crowd.

Every round, players use their unique abilities to steer the game in their favor, but beware: too much power draws too much attention. If you become the biggest threat, you might find yourself ejected into the void. Success depends on your ability to manipulate the votes without becoming the target yourself. Will you unite with others to eliminate the larger danger, or skillfully shift the blame while protecting your own interests?

The game’s open-information design means that all the clues are in plain sight, but interpreting them—and convincing others of your interpretation—is the key to outlasting your rivals. As alliances shift and tensions rise, trust becomes as scarce as oxygen, and every vote inches you closer to victory… or the airlock.

With a blend of strategic persuasion, group dynamics, and creative role abilities, Echoes in the Airlock delivers a thrilling, high-stakes experience that will keep players debating and scheming long after the game ends. Perfect for parties or intense gaming sessions, this endlessly replayable game can host up to 20 players! And with over 1 million possible setups—thanks to the wide variety of role cards and unpredictable player interactions—no two games are ever the same.

And remember, in space, no one can hear you scheme.

HOW TO PLAY:

Download the rules for free in the shop, or take a look at a cool digital booklet through this link:

Echoes in the Airlock: Rules

PHYSICAL RULES AND SAND TIMER NOT INCLUDED

To make this edition cheaper, these components have been removed. However, simply download the rules and use a digital timer on your phone to make up for this. I honestly think it's a great deal.

SETUP

Step 1: Deal a Role Card to each player face up (player roles are common knowledge). Each player's Role Card will grant them rule-breaking abilities!

Step 2: Place the Voting Cubes and the sand timer in the center of the table.

HOW TO WIN

The goal of the game is to be the last one standing. Here's how you do that.

The game is played in rounds that repeat until either 2 players remain or 1 player wins.

The basic phases of a round are these - Players discuss, then vote (for who they think should die next).

DISCUSSING

Players bluff, persuade, and strategize for exactly 30 seconds (as measured by a sand timer).

VOTING

When you vote for someone, you give them a Voting Cube.

Once a player reaches 5 Voting Cubes, they are eliminated. It is important to note that Voting Cubes are NOT removed between rounds. (Eliminated players are called Echoes.)

Those are the 2 key phases in the game. There are 3 others, but they are used solely for the purpose of scaffolding Role Card abilities, so they aren't that important for understanding the core of the game.

DEATH IS NOT THE END

In Echoes in the Airlock, death isn't the end! You become an "Echo" and you still play a major role in the game.

While you can't use your Role Card or vote individually, you still participate in the Discussion Phase.

And even though you can't vote individually, the Echoes still collectively vote for one player each round.

You also make a huge difference in the Endgame Round!

ENDGAME

If there are exactly 2 players remaining at the end of a round, players conduct the final Endgame Round. (It is possible to skip the Endgame Round if enough players die in one round!)

Phase 1 (Endgame): Discussion Phase. (Same as usual.)

Phase 2 (Endgame): Final Voting Phase. Only the Echoes (eliminated players) vote. Whoever receives the most votes is eliminated, and the remaining player wins.

In the case of a tie, both players are eliminated, and everyone loses. Cheers!

Alternate Ways to Play

Once you’ve mastered the core game, try mixing things up with these exciting variations:

Two-Headed Horrors!

Double power, double the fun! Right?

In this variation, each player controls 2 Role Cards instead of 1. To be eliminated, a player still must accumulate 5 Voting Cubes total, which apply to both of their Role Cards combined. Keep track of the order of your Role Cards to ensure abilities activate at the right time.

This variation introduces another aspect of awesome chaos to the game. When everyone's twice as powerful, how do you know who to target first?

Candy Coup!

Replace Voting Cubes with candy!

Each player votes using pieces of candy, and when a player is eliminated, they keep (or eat) all the candy in their pile. The winner claims the rest of the candy from the center pile, making this variation both sweet and cutthroat. Now players must attempt consolidate their votes, so if you win you earn more candy!

A fun and delicious twist for parties or family gatherings!

Resources Depleted!

Vote strategically, don't explode.

Remove some amount Voting Cubes from the center pile before the game starts. When a player is eliminated, remember to return the Voting Cubes in their pile to the center pile. When all the Voting Cubes in the center pile run out, the starship explodes and everyone loses!

Recommended: Start wtih 2-3 Voting Cubes per player in the center pile.

And for some extra bonus fun...

Try combining some of these alternate play styles, or even purchase the Echoes in the Airlock: Custom Edition (See: Related Games) and try out your favorite shenanigans! You can even have each player choose their Role Card(s) before playing! (This is especially fun with Two-Headed Horrors, because there are some legitimately ingenious combos.)

HUGE THANKS TO MISSION CONTROL:

...for making this experience possible (by sending the astronauts to space without sufficient resources).

Eli Moody, Gabriel Chacon-Martinez, Thomas Brezenski, Jude Weitzel, Porter Carr, Zach Habel, Colt Dillashaw, Luke Seifert, Oliver Baer, Gus Rose, Daniel Seifert, TK (RadTannerman), Amelia Weitzel, Adelaide Weitzel, Simon Brockmeier, Owen Allen, Huck Madsen, Henry Kadleck, Paul Weitzel, Wendy Weitzel, Kael Henderson, Eva Carr, Ivy Carr, Calvin Falldorf, Holden Chalenburg, Brian Welch, Walter Fitzgerald, Lennon Peters, Owen Carr, Brett Noser, Pat Janike, Landen Werts