 In the game scenario, Earth has been replaced by a dark mass (the creature) that is growing outward toward the six planets of the remaining galactic species.Cryptic transmissions from Earth can be obtained from satellites or from communication relays that players can construct during the course of the game; these transmissions are goals that specify actions to take, such as discarding equipment or people, or visiting certain places on the board.Through game play, players can build new spaceships, upgrade their spaceships, or build mines that slow the process of the creature.