Ecosystem (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ecosystem, released in 2019, is a board game designed by Matt Simpson and published by Genius Games. The game focuses on the theme of environmental conservation and educates players about the delicate balance of ecosystems in a fun and engaging way. With beautiful artwork by Lindsay Falsone and Martyna Szpil, Ecosystem aims to bring awareness to the importance of protecting our planet.

Game Components of Ecosystem

Card Deck: Features illustrated woodland creatures and natural elements.

Player Aids: Include scorepads and rules sheets.

Grid Structure: Players build a 5×4 grid with their cards.

How To Setup Ecosystem

To set up Ecosystem, shuffle the entire deck of cards and place it face down to form a draw pile. Each player is given 10 cards from the top of the deck and a player aid. This simple setup prepares the game for immediate play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players choose one card from their hand and pass the remaining cards to the next player.

Tableau Building: Players build a 5×4 grid by placing cards adjacent to existing cards.

Objective: Build the highest scoring ecosystem by synergizing cards correctly.

Scoring: Cards score differently based on their spatial arrangement and adjacencies. For example, Trout cards score points for being near Stream and Dragonfly cards.

Diversity Penalty: Players incur penalties for not having a diverse enough ecosystem.

Player Experience

Ecosystem is designed to be simple yet engaging. The game starts off straightforward but becomes more complex as players add more cards to their grid. The spatial element of the game, where cards must be placed orthogonally adjacent to existing cards, adds a strategic layer. Players must balance their ecosystem to avoid penalties and maximize scoring opportunities.

Pros

Easy to Teach: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Educational: Introduces concepts of biodiversity and ecosystem balance.

Quick Playtime: Games last approximately 15-20 minutes.

Beautiful Artwork: Illustrated by Lindsay Falsone, the cards feature vibrant and engaging artwork.

Scalable: Can be played with 2-6 players, with a mechanism to randomize card distribution for two-player games.

Cons

Limited Depth for Experienced Gamers: The game may be too simplistic for veteran players.

Scoring Complexity: The varied scoring objectives can be confusing at first.

Two-Player Limitations: While the randomization mechanic helps, it may not be as engaging as other two-player games.

Personal Thoughts on Ecosystem

Ecosystem is a great game for those looking to introduce children or new gamers to card drafting and tableau building mechanics. It is particularly useful in educational settings, such as middle school science classrooms, to teach biodiversity and ecological relationships. While it may not be the main event for an evening of games with experienced gamers, it serves as an excellent filler game or family activity. Its balance between simplicity and strategy makes it a versatile addition to any game collection.

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