Fit check
Is The Astonishing Game worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Dream Theater fans who want an interactive version of The Astonishing
- Strategy players who prefer turn-based board-game systems over direct combat
- Two players seeking same-device tactical matches
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking lethal combat, large-scale warfare or direct unit control
- Players who want a campaign that reveals its complete story from one faction’s perspective
- Those looking for a broad role-playing game with character progression and exploration
Our take on The Astonishing Game
Rather than treating conflict as lethal combat, the game turns it into a contest over sectors, influence and public control. Its story is also split between opposing factions, requiring both perspectives instead of presenting a single campaign viewpoint.
What is The Astonishing Game?
This turn-based tactical board game retells Dream Theater’s The Astonishing from two opposing viewpoints: the Ravenskill Rebel Militia and the Great Northern Empire of the Americas.
Its single-player campaign reveals the complete story only after both sides of the conflict have been played. Players contest sectors for influence and control, using a non-violent representation of conflict in which pieces remove opponents’ power rather than depict lethal combat. The game also includes same-device player-versus-player matches, an additional narrative layer set across locations in the empire, video artwork associated with Dream Theater’s live shows, and instrumental sections from the album. Optional in-game competitions offer tour-related prizes. It uses a one-time purchase model with no in-app purchases.
How The Astonishing Game plays
- 01Two-sided campaign
- The narrative requires completing campaigns for both factions to reveal the full conflict.
- 02Same-device matches
- Two players can compete on one device.
- 03Non-violent conflict
- Board pieces contest sectors by removing power and influence instead of representing characters fighting to the death.
- 04Album-linked presentation
- The game includes instrumental passages and video artwork connected with Dream Theater’s The Astonishing.
- 05Optional competitions
- Players can register in-game for tour-period contests offering items such as signed albums, tickets and post-concert passes.
- 06One-time purchase
- The game has no in-app purchases and includes eligibility for free upgrades.
The Astonishing Game compared to similar games
Men of War: Assault Squad focuses on large-scale World War II operations with direct control over units and hands-on combat, while The Astonishing uses board-game sectors and a non-violent struggle for influence. Shogun Showdown centers on tile upgrades, combos, deck building and roguelike progression, whereas The Astonishing uses a two-faction narrative campaign and same-device matches. Xenonauts combines turn-based squad encounters with a persistent military organization defending Earth from aliens, unlike The Astonishing’s album-based board-game structure.
The Astonishing Game: platforms & release
Is The Astonishing Game worth it?
It is worth it if: dream Theater fans who want an interactive version of The Astonishing. Skip it if: players seeking lethal combat, large-scale warfare or direct unit control.
Where can I download The Astonishing Game?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens The Astonishing Game's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is The Astonishing Game on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
