Board game cover titled "Evolution" with vibrant illustration of a fantastical lizard-like creature on a rocky landscape, surrounded by plant life and other smaller creatures, with the creators' names and North Star Games logo at the bottom.
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Evolution (1986)

Evolution

Evolution: The Origin of Species is a card game created by Dmitriy Knorre and Sergey Machin in 2010. The game is inspired by evolutionary biology and is based on the theory of Charles Darwin. In the game, players create their own animals, make them evolve, and hunt to survive. The game has been praised for its simple Gameplay Mechanics of Evolution and tactical depth.

Why is Evolution Popular?

Evolution has gained popularity due to its unique theme and engaging gameplay. The game has been praised for its ability to teach players about the basic concepts of evolution in a fun and interactive way. It has also been used as an educational resource in the evolutionary biology department at the University of Oxford. The game has won several awards and has been ranked in the top 1% of all games on Board Game Geek.

Game Components of Evolution

– 129 Trait Cards (17 Carnivore Trait Cards, 7 of Each Other Trait Card)
– 20 Species Boards
– 40 Wooden Markers
– 144 Food Tokens
– 12 Ten Value Food Tokens
– 1 Watering Hole Board
– 6 Food Screens
– 1 Dino Starter Token
– 2 Player Aids
– 1 Rulebook

Game Setup of Evolution

Each player starts with a species board and a set of trait cards. The watering hole board is placed in the center of the table, and the food tokens are placed on it. Each player is dealt a hand of trait cards. The game begins.

Gameplay Mechanics of Evolution

Players take turns playing trait cards on their species board. Trait cards can be used to add new traits to a species or to replace existing traits. Players can also use trait cards to attack other players’ species or to defend their own. Players can gain food by foraging or by attacking other species. The game ends when the draw pile is empty. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Game Objective of Evolution

The objective of Evolution is to create the most balanced ecosystem by creating different species of animals with their own abilities while fighting to control the one important resource – food. By regulating the population of your creatures, obtaining new useful abilities, and fighting off opponents, you must survive until the end of the game and stand at the head of the food chain.

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