Darwin’s Journey (2023) Board Game

Darwin’s Journey is a board game designed by Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone and published by ThunderGryph Games. It was released in 2023 and has quickly gained popularity among board game enthusiasts. The game is set in the 19th century and follows the journey of Charles Darwin as he explores the world and collects specimens for his research on evolution.

Game Components of Darwin’s Journey

Worker tokens: Each worker must study disciplines to perform actions.

Objective tiles: Gold and silver tiles for short and long-term objectives.

Action spaces: For exploration, correspondence, gathering, and dispatch of specimens.

Resource management elements: To manage and balance resources.

Expansion modules: Including Darwin Worker, Falmouth Port, and Fireland Expansion.

How To Setup Darwin’s Journey

Setting up Darwin’s Journey involves organizing the board, distributing the starting objective tiles, and preparing each player’s worker tokens. Players must also set up the action spaces and resource pools. The rulebook, although criticized for its complexity, provides detailed instructions, but watching a playthrough video can also help clarify the setup process.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place workers on action spaces to perform various tasks.

Contracts and Ownership: Managing contracts and ownership of resources and specimens.

Point to Point Movement: Moving through the game board to different action spaces.

Set Collection: Collecting specimens and resources.

Variable Set-up: Each game has a different setup.

Turn Order: Stat-Based: Turns are determined based on player statistics.

Game Objective: The objective is to earn victory points by completing short and long-term objectives, studying disciplines, and contributing to the human knowledge of biology. The game lasts five rounds.

Player Experience

Playing Darwin’s Journey can be a rich and satisfying experience, especially for fans of heavy Eurogames. The game requires strategic planning and resource management, with each action potentially leading to significant combos and outcomes. However, it has been noted that the game improves with repeated plays, as understanding the full depth of the mechanics takes time. The game is particularly enjoyable at higher player counts, with some players finding it less engaging at two players.

Pros

Rich and Meaty Experience: Offers deep strategic gameplay with potential for significant combos.

Innovative Worker Progression: Workers must study disciplines to perform various actions.

High Replayability: Variable setup and multiple objectives ensure different experiences each play.

Educational Element: Combines entertainment with learning about evolution, habitats, and species.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: The rulebook is criticized for its layout and clarity.

Weak Theme Integration: Some players feel the game’s theme is superficial and not strongly connected to Darwin’s work.

Less Engaging at Lower Player Counts: The game is less enjoyable with fewer players, particularly at two players.

Personal Thoughts on Darwin’s Journey

Darwin’s Journey is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy complex Eurogames with deep strategic elements. It is not a game for casual players or those new to worker placement games due to its intricate mechanics and the time required to fully understand and appreciate it. The game’s educational aspect and immersive gameplay make it a great choice for those interested in science and history, but it may not be the best fit for those seeking a light, introductory game.

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