Draftosaurus (2019) Board Game

Draftosaurus is a light strategy board game released in 2019 by Ankama. Designed by Antoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, and Théo Rivière, the game is set in a prehistoric world where players draft dinosaurs to populate their own personal zoo. With charming artwork by Jiahui Eva Gao, Vipin Alex Jacob, Roman Kucharski, and TANSAN Inc., Draftosaurus offers a fun and engaging experience for 2-5 players.

Game Components of Draftosaurus

Dino Meeples: A set of colorful, whimsical dinosaur meeples.

Game Boards: Double-sided boards with summer and winter themes, each board having 6 pens with specific placement conditions.

Placement Die: A wooden die that introduces random placement restrictions.

River Space: An area where players can place dinosaurs if they cannot or do not want to place them in any pen.

How To Setup Draftosaurus

To set up Draftosaurus, all players receive a board, ensuring everyone is on the same side (either summer or winter). The number of dinosaurs used varies with the player count, and these dinosaurs are placed in a draw bag. The first player is decided, and they receive the placement die. Setup is straightforward and quick, taking only about a minute.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drafting: Players draw 6 dinosaur meeples from the bag at the beginning of each round.

Placement: Each player selects one dinosaur to place in their zoo, following the placement conditions on the die and the pens.

Passing: Remaining dinosaurs are passed to the player on the left.

Rounds: The game consists of two rounds, each with 6 turns.

Objective: The goal is to build a dinosaur park that is most likely to attract visitors by maximizing point scoring opportunities based on the placement conditions of each pen.

Player Experience

Draftosaurus is known for its simplicity and fun, making it an excellent introductory drafting game. The game is easy to learn, even for younger players, with iconography that is easily interpreted. It offers a quick and engaging experience, lasting about 15 minutes, which makes it a great filler game for family game nights. The game’s colorful and cute dinosaur meeples add to its appeal, especially for children.

Pros

Quick to Play: Games typically last 10-15 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and iconography make it accessible to younger players.

Family Fun: Suitable for players aged 8 and up, and enjoyable for both children and adults.

High Quality Components: Bright, fun colors and well-made dinosaur meeples.

Replayability: Double-sided boards offer different experiences in summer and winter themes.

Cons

Luck Element: Random die rolls can limit placement options.

No Scorepad: Players need to keep track of points manually.

Limited Availability: Can be hard to find due to periodic stock issues.

Personal Thoughts on Draftosaurus

Draftosaurus is an excellent choice for families looking for a fun and easy-to-learn game. It is particularly great for younger kids, as it introduces them to drafting mechanics in a playful and non-intimidating way. For more seasoned players, it serves as a light and enjoyable filler game that can add a fun twist to game nights. However, it may not be as engaging for players seeking more complex or strategic gameplay. Overall, it’s a great addition to any family game collection, offering a delightful and quick gaming experience.

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