Vivarium (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Vivarium is a board game released in 2017, designed by Michael J. Roberts and featuring artwork by Tanemaki Designs. The game is set in an environmental theme, where players compete to build the most successful ecosystem in a shared terrarium.

Game Components of Vivarium

Custom dominoes

Creature cards with type and color attributes

Equipment cards with special abilities

Contract cards for scoring points

Amber gems for scoring and adjusting domino values

Priority tokens

Folding game board with a 4×4 grid

Player markers and starting contracts

How To Setup Vivarium

To set up Vivarium, place the folding board in the middle of the table with four rows of cards: the top two rows for Creature cards, the next row for Equipment cards, and the final row for Contract cards. Shuffle the different card decks and place four cards of each type in their respective rows. Each player starts with two random dominoes, a gem, and two starting contracts (one for color, one for type). A stack of priority tokens is created, and the special blank token is placed on top.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Domino Placement: Players use dominoes to create coordinates to select cards from the board.

Card Collection: Take Creature, Equipment, or Contract cards based on the coordinates formed by the dominoes.

Priority Tokens: Earn bonus gems and victory points for collecting cards that match the current priority criteria.

Gem Usage: Use gems to adjust domino values or for scoring points.

Contract Fulfillment: Collect cards to fulfill contract objectives for additional points.

Game Objective: The player with the most points after 7 rounds, earned from creature cards, gems, priority tokens, and completed contracts, wins the game.

Player Experience

Vivarium offers a tense yet efficient card collection experience. Players must strategically swap dominoes to create the right coordinates to collect the desired cards. The game moves quickly, with each round consisting of two actions per player. The use of dominoes adds a layer of unpredictability, making each turn challenging but not overwhelming. The game is balanced for 2-4 players, with adjustments for two-player mode to maintain excitement.

Pros

Unique Domino Mechanics: The use of dominoes to create coordinates is inventive and engaging.

High-Quality Components: The game features beautiful artwork, custom domino designs, and sparkly amber gems.

Balanced Gameplay: Smooth gameplay for 2-4 players, with adjustments for two-player mode.

Quick Playtime: The game is completed in about 30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance collecting creatures, equipment, and fulfilling contracts.

Cons

Limited Equipment Utility: Some equipment cards may not be as valuable as creature cards.

Planning Challenges: With more players, planning can become more complicated due to the unpredictable nature of domino swaps.

Personal Thoughts on Vivarium

Vivarium is ideal for fans of set collection games who enjoy strategic planning and a bit of unpredictability. The beautiful artwork and high-quality components make it a visually appealing addition to any game collection. It is suitable for teens and adults looking for a quick, yet engaging, gaming experience. If you enjoy games like 7 Wonders Duel or Sagrada, you will likely appreciate the unique mechanics and challenges of Vivarium.

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