Fossil Canyon (2022) Board Game

Fossil Canyon is a card game released in 2022, designed by Nathan Martel and illustrated by Polymath Play. It falls under the categories of card game and educational game, aimed at players aged 8 and above. The game involves collecting fossils and artifacts in a canyon setting, with a mix of strategy and luck.

Game Components of Fossil Canyon

Playing Cards: 74 heavyweight linen-finish tarot-sized cards featuring North American Mesozoic dinosaurs, along with 18 heavyweight linen-finish poker-sized event cards.

Game Pieces: 36 wood puzzle scoring pieces, 6 wood player tokens, and 6 wood museum puzzle pieces.

Rule and Science Booklets: A 20-page rulebook and a 16-page companion science booklet.

Additional Items: Cloth storage pouch, 6 reference cards, 3 customizable cards, and 1 Storm Phase card for the cooperative/solo variant.

How To Setup Fossil Canyon

The game begins by forming the dig site with face-down fossil cards. Players attach their museums in playing order to create Museum Row and then dig their first fossils. Each player starts with a hand of cards and a display of their remaining cards face-up in front of them. The setup involves distributing event cards and ensuring each player has the necessary components to begin digging and trading fossils.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players dig two fossils from the dig site each turn, which can be either buried (face-down) or exposed (face-up).

Card Management: Manage your hand to complete dinosaur skeletons or earn research awards.

Set Collection: Complete skeletons or research awards to score points.

Trading: Exchange fossils with other players to complete sets, with increasing costs for successive trades.

Endgame Bonuses: Score bonuses based on the themes of your museum, such as the most Jurassic skeletons.

Competitive and Cooperative Play: Play competitively with 2-6 players or cooperatively/solo with the “Cretaceous Creek” variant for 1-4 players.

Player Experience

Fossil Canyon is designed to be fun and educational for the whole family. The game is easy to learn, making it accessible to young players, while offering strategic elements that adults will enjoy. Players take on the roles of paleontologists aiming to build the most popular natural history museum by excavating and completing dinosaur skeletons and conducting research. The game’s colorful and well-constructed card layout makes it easy to identify and manage the different fossil parts.

Pros

Educational Content: Created with the Field Museum for scientific accuracy, includes a science companion booklet.

Multiple Play Modes: Competitive, cooperative, and solo play options.

Engaging Mechanics: Card drafting, trading, and set collection with a unique scoring system using wooden puzzle pieces.

Aesthetic Appeal: High-quality, heavyweight cards and wooden game pieces, along with artwork by internationally-acclaimed paleoartist Franco Tempesta.

Cons

Limited Player Count at Higher Numbers: The game may not play well at 5-6 players, though this is speculative based on lower player count experiences.

Personal Thoughts on Fossil Canyon

Fossil Canyon is perfect for families and dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages. It strikes a balance between simplicity and strategy, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. The game’s educational content, validated by STEM.org, adds a valuable learning element. For those looking for a fun, family-friendly game that also offers a bit of science and strategy, Fossil Canyon is an excellent choice. Its cooperative mode, “Cretaceous Creek,” adds a different layer of gameplay, making it versatile and engaging for various player preferences.

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