Darwin’s Choice (2019) Board Game

Darwin’s Choice is a strategic board game that was released in in 2019. Designed by Rozenn Grosjean and featuring artwork by Treecer, this game has garnered attention for its unique theme centered around evolution and natural selection. Players take on the role of species competing for survival in a changing environment, making decisions that will ultimately determine their success in the game.

Game Components of Darwin’s Choice

Animal cards: Over 230 cards, each showing a portion of an animal (head, leg, tail, torso), with heart values and abilities.

Biome cards: Representing different environments where animals can live.

Event cards: Impacting the game immediately or over the next Era.

Player chips: Tracking which species have acted in a turn.

Food chips: Distributed based on adaptation levels.

How To Setup Darwin’s Choice

To set up the game, each player starts with a hand of 10 cards chosen from two decks of Animal cards (one for small animals and one for large animals). The game is divided into four Eras, each consisting of three phases: Action, Evaluation, and Transition. Initially, players draw their starting hands, and the first player marker is set.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Phase: Players create, mutate, or migrate their animals. Creating involves laying out cards to form a complete animal (head and body, with optional wings, legs, and tail). Mutating allows changes to the animal’s cards. Migrating involves moving animals to different biomes.

Evaluation Phase: Ensure animals meet biome requirements; herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores feed in order of adaptation. Surviving species earn Darwin Points.

Transition Phase: Draw new Event and Biome cards, adjust food supply, and prepare for the next Era.

Game Objective: Accumulate the most Darwin Points by creating well-adapted species that survive and thrive across four Eras.

Player Experience

Playing **Darwin’s Choice** is an immersive experience that challenges players to strategize about evolution and adaptation. The game requires balancing the creation of species that can survive in their biomes with the need to adapt to changing environments and compete with other players’ species.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers complex strategies in creating and adapting species.

Beautiful Components: The game features gorgeous and detailed cards.

Dynamic Gameplay: Each Era introduces new challenges and opportunities with Event and Biome changes.

High Replayability: With over 230 Animal cards, each game can be significantly different.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game’s mechanics, particularly the non-intuitive counter-clockwise play and complex rules, can be challenging for new players.

Lengthy Setup: Preparing the game for play can take some time.

Complexity: The game’s intricacies may deter casual players.

Personal Thoughts on Darwin’s Choice

**Darwin’s Choice** is ideal for fans of strategic card games and those interested in evolutionary concepts. It is best suited for experienced gamers who enjoy deep gameplay mechanics and are willing to invest time in learning the rules. The game’s complexity and strategic depth make it less accessible to casual players but highly rewarding for those who enjoy a challenge.

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