Doomlings (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Doomlings is a card game designed by Justus Meyer and published by Doomlings LLC. Released in 2022, the game is designed for 2 to 6 players, with a recommended player count of

Players take on the role of doomlings, tiny creatures trying to survive in a world on the brink of destruction.

Game Components of Doomlings

Card Types: Ages, Traits, and Gene Pools.

Unique Cards: 167 unique cards in the base game, including one mystery holofoil.

Expansions: Several expansions such as Dinolings, Meaning of Life, Multicolor, Mythlings, and Techlings.

Additional Components: Community play mats, individual player mats, first player tokens.

How To Setup Doomlings

To set up Doomlings, players start by shuffling the Ages deck and drawing the first card, which sets the initial age. Each player receives a starting hand of Trait cards. The Gene Pool cards are also prepared according to the initial age card. The game is ready to play once these components are in place. The setup is straightforward and can be completed quickly, making it easy to dive into the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Hand Management, Events, Finale Ending, End Game Bonuses, Set Collection, Take That.

Objective: Players aim to build their species of Doomlings to survive the end of the world by accumulating the most points.

Gameplay: Players play Trait cards from their hand to their personal tableau, navigating changes introduced by the Ages cards. The game ends after the third catastrophic event, and the player with the highest score wins.

Player Experience

Doomlings is praised for its simplicity and fun factor. The game is easy to learn, with a teach time of about five minutes, making it accessible to both new and experienced players. The gameplay is quick, and the humorous artwork and clever card effects keep players engaged. However, the simplicity also means there are few tough decisions to make, which can reduce the game’s replay value over time.

Pros

Easy to Learn: The game can be learned in just a few minutes.

Fun and Light: Perfect for casual gaming and family game nights.

High Replayability: With 167 unique cards, each game offers a different experience.

Humorous Artwork: The game’s artwork is commendable for its comedic elements and timing.

Fast-Paced: Games are typically short, lasting between 20-45 minutes.

Cons

Limited Decision Space: The gameplay is basic, with few challenging decisions.

Luck-Dependent: The outcome can be heavily influenced by luck rather than strategy.

Expansions Complexity: Collecting all the expansion cards can be costly and confusing due to the large number of cards involved.

Personal Thoughts on Doomlings

Doomlings is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a light, fun card game to fill gaps between more complex games. It is suitable for all ages, from children as young as 9 to adults, making it a great addition to any game night. While it lacks depth in decision-making, it compensates with its humor, vibrant artwork, and fast-paced gameplay, ensuring players have a enjoyable experience without feeling overwhelmed.

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