Darwinauts (2022) Board Game
Darwinauts is a board game released in 2022, designed by Vincent Dutrait and featuring artwork by Green Couch Games. The game falls under the science fiction category and incorporates various game mechanisms such as set collection, tile placement, and worker placement. With a runtime of 30–45 minutes, Darwinauts is suitable for 1–4 players aged 13 and above.
Game Components of Darwinauts
How To Setup Darwinauts
To set up Darwinauts, each player starts with a player board and a set of tokens. The terrain tiles are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Species cards and other tokens are also prepared according to the instructions. The game requires a relatively straightforward setup, with players ready to start their interdimensional exploration quickly.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– Set Collection
– Tile Placement
– Worker Placement
– Players take two actions per turn, choosing from: placing an explorer, placing a tile, replenishing tiles and removing explorers, discovering a species, and recording a species.
– Upon recording a species, players take one of five bonus actions to prepare for future turns or alter the landscape.
– The game continues until the Rift tile is revealed, making the portal unstable and adding an additional phase to each turn where players dismantle the landscape.
– The goal is to earn prestige points for recorded species and bonuses for specializing in specific sets of species. The player with the most points wins.
Player Experience
In Darwinauts, players embark on an exciting and dangerous journey through a portal to another dimension filled with alien life. The media has dubbed them “Darwinauts” for their daring venture. The game is fast-paced, with players racing against time to discover and record exotic species before the portal closes. The addition of the Rift phase adds an element of urgency and strategy, as players must balance exploration with the need to return home before the rift consumes everything.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on Darwinauts
Darwinauts is perfect for fans of Euro-style games and those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a sci-fi twist. It is suitable for players aged 13 and above and supports 1 to 4 players, making it versatile for different gaming groups. The game’s design encourages strategic thinking and quick decision-making, making it an excellent choice for players looking for a challenging yet engaging experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking extremely simple rules or those who prefer games with longer playtimes.
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