The space program theme is wonderful. Crazy to see a card as earnestly touching as Space Camp out of the Corp that brought us Vulcan Coverup, but that’s the thematic complexity we’ve come to expect from the Netrunner universe.
Here are some preliminary card ratings, in an X out of 5 format. Edward Kim, Wanton Destruction, High Risk Investment, Hivemind and Sub Boost are my favourites.
Edward Kim [4/5] is an excellent ID and very scary for many powerful Corp archetypes. He also comes off as mean person, hating Androids. The genius of this card from a theme perspective is how often he will probably be smashing Biotic Labor with his big hammer.
Gagarin Deep Space [2/5] looks a little mediocre compared to the economic powerhouses of BaBW, GRNDL and Blue Sun, but at least it points to a different way to play Weyland. Thematically the idea of everything being up in space and more expensive to reach is solid.
Traffic Accident [2/5] is going to help soften up Plascretes in Tag-Me builds but landing that second tag could be problematic so it feels very situational. What a grim card this is. Dripping with flavour and black humour.
Human First [2/5] looks ok with the potential to net 5 credits over the course of the game, but its potential as a dead draw means it won’t see much play I think.
High Risk Investment [4/5] could be Siphon defence, but really what it wants to do is guarantee the corp can win a trace. Kinda useful in Tag and Bag. 3/5s are tough to score but rushing one of these out early enough opens up a ton of flexibility while still maintaining a constant flatline threat.
Satellite Grid [3/5] is a solid tax on the runner between its trash cost and the extra cost to break in to get it, depending on the breakers they are using and if they are Whizzard. Whizzard running Morningstar probably laughs at this though.
Itinerant Protesters [3/5] could singlehandedly win a game against GRNDL with a couple Hostile Takeovers scored, but then again it only takes a single HT to pop it. With enough runner based BP generation though, this could win games or at least force a corp to hold their Currents in reserve.
Wormhole [2/5] seems fated to see play primarily in BWBI, which should have better targets for advancement than this. If it was strength 8 or had more than one sub it would be a lot better, and there are probably combos I’m not considering but as it stands it feels like yet another excellent target for Knight.
Space Camp [3/5] is an adorable and useful taxing ambush, and a great Datasucker counter. I think this guy is primarily meant to sit in Archives, punishing repeated Datasucker runs by inflating the advance-able ice on your other centrals. Otherwise it can sit in HQ to similar taxing effect.
Glenn Station [2/5] aims to solve Weyland’s agenda flood issues but if you are able to score the Glenn, then you can probably handle the agenda flood already. Weird card with awesome flavour. I hope it is better than I think it is because the mechanic seems like it would be very fun to play.
Wanton Destruction [4/5] looks incredibly dangerous, on the level of Legwork. It is significantly more click intensive than Legwork, and you can’t score Agendas immediately, but the chances of knocking a Biotic Labor or Scorched Earth out of hand are excellent. This could be right up there in Imp territory in terms of dangerousness
Hivemind [4/5] is a solid option to play in reaction to being purged, to restart the engine. In the late game with Grimoire out, Djinn search/Hivemind/Surge or trash Incubator/Run seems like a potentially very nasty turn. I like what this card does for Djinn and Surge, but it will really sing with Incubator.
Investigative Journalism [3/5] ought to really stir up those Itinerant Protestors. Does Valencia Esteves really start the Corp off with a BP? That sounds a little OP to me but if true this card becomes an incredible economic engine and would get a better rating from me.
Sub Boost [4/5] should see a lot of play, and be a staple in many decks. It helps neuter Knight and Overmind, and stengthens things like Hunter. Really like the idea of playing Hunter more, and think we will see x3 Sub Boost and x3 Hunter in a lot of deck lists. Would also look good on Dräco. It also helps neuter Darwin, which will probably be seeing more play with all the virus boosting going around.
Stim Dealer [3/5] makes me want to put in a deck with Public Sympathy, Borrowed Satellite and Duggar’s. Maybe Aesop’s too. maybe, if I’m feeling wussy.
Virus Breeding Ground [2/5] will draw obvious comparisons with Incubator, which I think is a better card. VBG isn’t as good for Purge recovery since it need to find a card with a Virus counter on it to work. It will also be also very click intensive to move virus counters one at a time.