Animal Kingdoms (2020) Board Game

Animal Kingdoms is a board game released in 2020 by Galactic Raptor Games. Designed by Steven Aramini, this game is set in the animal kingdom where players compete to establish dominance in different territories. With beautiful artwork by Michael Cofer, Danny Devine, Katy Grierson, and Jeff Wallace, Animal Kingdoms offers a visually captivating experience for players.

Game Components of Animal Kingdoms

Five-sided gameboard representing five kingdoms

Noble Beast cards (each with a number from 1 to 8 and an animal type)

Decree cards with various rules for each kingdom

Influence markers and score markers for each player

“First to withdraw” tiles

“Battle modifier” tiles

“First place” point tokens

Capital city and council space markers

How To Setup Animal Kingdoms

To set up Animal Kingdoms, assemble the five-sided gameboard and shuffle the Noble Beast cards, dealing four to each player. Place a random Decree card face-up on each kingdom. Shuffle the orange “first place” tokens face-down and place three tiles in each kingdom, arranging them from lowest value to highest. Each player receives influence markers and a score marker. Place three “first to withdraw” tiles and “battle modifier” tiles off to the side.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players aim to gain influence in the five kingdoms.

Card Play: Players must play cards that match the Decree of each kingdom to place influence tokens.

Decrees: Each kingdom has a Decree card that dictates which cards can be played there.

Influence Tokens: Players place influence tokens in kingdoms by playing appropriate cards.

Capital City: Claiming the capital city forces a player to withdraw from the age, but gains them a council space advantage.

Rally Action: Players can rally to discard cards, draw new ones, and gain a point.

Withdrawal: The first player to withdraw gets a bonus tile and prevents others from rallying.

Tie Resolution: Ties are resolved through card duels, where a “1” can beat an “8.”

Scoring: Points are awarded based on influence in each kingdom after three ages.

Player Experience

Playing Animal Kingdoms involves a blend of strategic card play and tactical decision-making. Each round, or “age,” requires players to carefully choose which cards to play to meet the Decree requirements of each kingdom. The game’s dynamic nature, with changing Decree cards and point values, keeps players engaged and planning multiple moves ahead. The solo mode, designed by Carla Kopp, offers a satisfying puzzle-like experience, while multiplayer games encourage strategic interactions and competitive play.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with room for strategy.

Beautiful Artwork: Intricate, colorful designs of various animals.

Dynamic Gameplay: Changing Decrees and point values keep the game interesting.

Versatile Player Count: Works well with 1-5 players.

Quick Playtime: Games last about 45 minutes.

Engaging Mechanics: Decrees, rallying, and capital city strategies add depth.

Cons

Limited Replayability: Some players may find the streamlined interactions and limited card combinations repetitive.

Dependence on Luck: Card draws and Decree assignments can introduce significant luck elements.

Personal Thoughts on Animal Kingdoms

Animal Kingdoms is an excellent choice for families with older children and for gamers of all ages who enjoy area control games with a lighter touch. Its simplicity and strategic depth make it accessible to new players while still offering enough complexity to keep experienced gamers engaged. The game’s ability to accommodate a wide range of player counts and its short playtime make it a great addition to any game collection. However, players seeking a more complex or longer area control experience might find Animal Kingdoms a bit too streamlined.

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