Dinosaur World (2021) Board Game

Dinosaur World is a board game released in 2021 by Pandasaurus Games. It is a strategic game that combines elements of city building, economics, and science fiction, set in a world where dinosaurs roam free. The game is designed by Brian Lewis, David McGregor, and Marissa Misura, with artwork by Kwanchai Moriya, Joe Shawcross, and Andrew Thompson.

Game Components of Dinosaur World

Worker cards with 9 workers each (4 basic, 5 specialists)

Hexagonal tiles for park building

DNA tokens

Dinosaur meeples (specific to each dinosaur type)

Dice (notably amber-colored and oversized)

Wooden dice tower and oversized dice drafting bag

Metal coins (Kickstarter edition)

Boredom tokens

Lab boards

Park boards

Attraction and paddock tiles

Jeeple (tour vehicle)

Public goal/milestone cards

Death tracking chits

How To Setup Dinosaur World

Setting up *Dinosaur World* involves several steps. Players start with two park tiles and a few dollars. The game includes three large boards full of tiles and a market area where tiles are available each turn. Each player has a lab board and a park board. Workers are drafted from cards, and resources such as DNA and cash are distributed. The game requires a significant amount of table space due to the numerous components and boards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players hire workers and use them to perform actions.

Tile Placement: Building the theme park by placing hexagonal tiles.

Dice Drafting: Using dice to acquire resources.

Engine Building: Developing the park by creating dinosaurs, upgrading security, and improving the Jeeple.

Game Objective: The highest scoring park wins after 5 rounds.

Phases:
– Hire workers
– Public actions (get DNA, new tiles)
– Private actions (develop park, create dinosaurs, upgrade security)
– Jeeple Tour (generate excitement, manage boredom and accidents)
– Income & Cleanup

Player Experience

Playing *Dinosaur World* is an immersive experience where players build and manage their own dinosaur theme park. The game requires strategic planning and resource management, as players must balance the need to create exciting attractions with the risk of accidents and patron deaths. The oversized dice and metal coins add a tactile and premium feel to the game. However, the setup and teardown times are substantial, and the game demands a large table space.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Combines worker placement, tile placement, and engine building for a rich gaming experience.

Thematic Depth: Detailed theme park building with specific dinosaur meeples and attraction tiles.

High Replayability: Variable setup and public goal/milestone cards ensure different experiences each game.

Premium Components: Oversized dice, metal coins, and detailed tiles enhance gameplay.

Streamlined Gameplay: Compared to *Dinosaur Island*, the game has fewer options but more streamlined public actions.

Cons

Large Table Space Required: The game is a “massive table hog” due to the multiple boards and large tiles.

Long Setup and Teardown: Setup, play, and teardown can take around 75 minutes for a solo game.

Complexity in Components: Many components to manage, including boredom tokens, death tracking, and separate dice for certain actions.

Not Ideal for Solo Play: While solo mode is available, it is more time-consuming compared to other solo games like *Dinosaur Island Rawr ‘n Write*.

Personal Thoughts on Dinosaur World

*Dinosaur World* is ideal for fans of complex strategy games who enjoy theme park building and worker placement mechanics. It is suitable for families and adults, given its age range of 8+ and the engaging, thematic experience it offers. However, it may not be the best choice for those looking for a quick setup or teardown, or for solo players seeking a shorter gaming session. The game’s detailed components and large table space requirements make it a commitment, but one that can be highly rewarding for those who invest the time.

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