Demeter (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Demeter is a board game released in 2020, designed by Oliver Mootoo and David Sitbon. The game is set in space exploration, where players take on the role of astronauts exploring different planets and their ecosystems. With a runtime of 15 minutes and suitable for players aged 14 and above, Demeter offers a unique gaming experience that combines paper-and-pencil mechanics with pattern building.

Game Components of Demeter

Player sheets

Five types of cards (blue, red, yellow, purple, and grey)

Dinosaur tiles

Observation tower and building tokens

Research track markers

Scientist tokens

Objective cards

Scoring markers

How To Setup Demeter

To set up Demeter, shuffle and remove three cards at random from each of the five decks. Place the remaining 12 cards on the table near the four objectives and scoring markers for each species. Each player receives a player sheet. The game includes four randomly selected objectives for each game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drawing: Players draw one card from each of the five decks each round.

Card Selection: Players choose one of the five cards on offer to use on their sheet.

Action Symbols: Each card has symbols indicating benefits such as spotting dinosaurs, constructing buildings or observation towers, recruiting scientists, or studying dinosaurs.

Player Sheet Management: Mark the indicated space on the player sheet and claim the benefit of the chosen card color.
– Blue: Recruit a scientist
– Red: Create a new observation post
– Yellow: Study an already discovered dinosaur
– Purple: Mark off a space on the research track
– Grey: Act as a wild card to choose any of the above options

Research Track: Reaching the top of the research track three times allows scoring against the first three objectives.

Dinosaur Discovery: Discover and study dinosaurs by coloring in the spaces on the player sheet and drawing a line to claim benefits.

Objectives: Meet the criteria of the four randomly selected objectives to score.

Player Experience

Demeter offers a quick learning curve but requires strategic planning to excel. The game feels very satisfying, with a constant challenge to figure out the most efficient way to solve the puzzle. Experienced players have a significant advantage, with noticeable score improvements after multiple games. The game is relatively quick, lasting about 15 minutes, but mastering it may require several plays.

Pros

Quick learning curve

High replayability

Constant challenge and strategic depth

Easy to understand player sheet once familiarized

Satisfying gameplay with cascading turns late in the game

Cons

Significant advantage to experienced players

Requires multiple plays to master

Theme could be more heavily utilized

Limited scoring options (though some are addressed in expansions)

Personal Thoughts on Demeter

Demeter is ideal for fans of flip-and-write games and those who enjoy strategic puzzle-solving. It is a great addition to any collection for its simplicity and depth, making it suitable for both solo play and competitive games. While it may take a few games to fully grasp the strategy, the payoff is well worth the initial investment. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to improve with each play, Demeter is an excellent choice.

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