Mutants (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mutants is a card game released in 2019 that combines elements of deck-building and hand management with a video game theme. Designed by Mateusz Komada and Katarzyna Kosobucka, the game is published by Lucky Duck Games and is suitable for 1-4 players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Mutants

Player boards: Each player has a board to manage their mutants.

Mutant cards: Basic and advanced mutant cards, each with unique powers and effects.

Gene pool cards: Representing different genetic types (Demon, Zombie, Warrior, Robot, Alien, and Beast).

Dominance track: A track to measure players’ power and dominance.

Prestige points tokens: To track victory points.

Solo boss cards and decks: For solo gameplay.

Cryo-freeze tokens: To freeze mutants for victory points.

How To Setup Mutants

To set up Mutants, each player starts with the same set of six basic mutant cards, representing the six genetic types. Players also have a personal gene pool with pre-determined or randomly selected advanced mutant cards. The dominance track and prestige points tokens are placed within reach of all players. For solo play, the solo boss deck is prepared according to the game’s rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Players build their decks by breeding advanced mutants using basic mutant cards.

Hand Management: Players can only take one action per turn, choosing to deploy, breed, or incubate a mutant.

Fighting Mechanics: Mutants are used to gain power and dominance on the dominance track.

Game Objective: The main goal is to score the most prestige points over five rounds by dominating the dominance track and freezing mutants for additional points.

Player Experience

Mutants offers a dynamic and tactical gameplay experience. Players must strategically manage their deck, deciding which mutants to deploy, breed, or incubate. The game is fast-paced but filled with important decisions, such as positioning mutants on the player board to maximize their powers and effects. The dominance track creates a constant struggle, where players must jockey for position to gain the most prestige points.

Pros

Tactical Depth: Despite its light deck construction, Mutants requires strategic thinking and planning.

Variety of Mutants: Each mutant card has unique powers and effects, adding variety to gameplay.

Solo Mode: The game includes robust solo modes with different solo bosses, offering a challenging experience.

Visual Appeal: The art on the cards and boards is colorful and eye-catching.

Cons

Limited Deck Construction: Unlike some other deck-building games, Mutants does not allow for deep deck construction.

Lack of Context: The game’s setting and storyline are not clearly defined.

Simple Game Mechanics: While engaging, the game mechanics are not overly complex.

Personal Thoughts on Mutants

Mutants is ideal for players who enjoy tactical card games with a fast-paced, strategic gameplay experience. It is particularly suited for those who like deck-building and hand management but do not want to invest in a game that takes all night to play. The solo mode adds significant replay value, making it a good choice for solo gamers as well. However, players seeking a game with deep deck construction or a rich narrative may find Mutants a bit lacking.

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