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Endangered (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Endangered is a cooperative board game designed by Joe Hopkins and published by Grand Gamers Guild in in 2020. The game focuses on environmental themes and the preservation of endangered species. Players take on the roles of conservationists working together to protect these animals and their habitats from various threats.

Game Components of Endangered

  • Game board** representing the habitat of the endangered species
  • Animal meeples** for tigers and sea otters
  • Influence cubes** for lobbying UN ambassadors
  • Action cards** with various conservation actions
  • Dice** for determining player actions
  • Money tokens** ($1 million each)
  • Destruction tiles** representing ecological threats
  • Offspring die** and **destruction die** for population and threat management
  • Impact cards** specific to each species (e.g., oil spill for sea otters)
  • Character cards** with unique abilities (zoologist, philanthropist, TV wildlife host, lobbyist, environmental lawyer)

    How To Setup Endangered

    To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a character card and places their influence cubes on the board. The action cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The destruction tiles, offspring die, and destruction die are prepared according to the module rules. The game starts with each player rolling their three dice to determine their initial actions.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative gameplay: Players work together to protect the endangered species.
  • Dice placement: Players roll three dice and allocate them to action cards, with each subsequent die needing to be a higher value than the previous one on the same card.
  • Action phase: Players take actions such as moving animals, placing influence cubes on ambassadors, or clearing destruction tiles.
  • Offspring phase: Players roll the offspring die to determine if new animals are born based on the number of mating pairs.
  • Destruction phase: Players roll the destruction die to add destruction tiles to the board, which can eliminate animals.
  • Impact phase: Impact cards are drawn, introducing events that affect the species (e.g., oil spills).
  • Objective: Players aim to build animal populations, minimize ecological threats, and gain enough influence among UN ambassadors to pass a conservation resolution. The game is won if four of the six ambassadors vote “yes” on the resolution during designated voting years. The game is lost if the animal population drops to one or fewer, if the team runs out of destruction tiles, or if time runs out.

    Player Experience

    Playing Endangered is an immersive and strategic experience that requires teamwork and careful planning. Players must balance the need to take immediate actions with the long-term goal of influencing the UN ambassadors. Each character’s unique abilities add a layer of depth and variability, ensuring that no two games are the same. The game’s thematic elements, such as the offspring and destruction phases, create a sense of urgency and realism, making the experience both engaging and educational.

    Pros

  • Cooperative gameplay** fosters teamwork and communication.
  • Unique character abilities** add variety and replayability.
  • Thematic integration** makes the game feel connected to real-world conservation efforts.
  • Strategic depth** through dice placement and action management.

    Cons

  • Complex rules** may require multiple playthroughs to fully understand.
  • Luck of the dice** can significantly impact gameplay.
  • Potential for player conflict** over resource allocation.

    Personal Thoughts on Endangered

    Endangered is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative games with a strong thematic focus and strategic gameplay. It is particularly suited for those interested in environmental conservation and willing to engage in a game that requires both short-term tactical decisions and long-term strategic planning. While it may appeal to a wide range of players, it is especially recommended for fans of dice placement games and those looking for a challenging yet rewarding cooperative experience.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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