This week's game...the game of long necks and hunting packs that is Evolution.
Players: 2-6
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy
As the name of the game suggests, Evolution is a unique board game in which players work to create and evolve species, in which whomever earns the most points by the time the deck runs out wins. Each turn, players draw 3 cards plus 1 extra card per species (so at the start of the game, this would be 4 cards total). One card is placed face down by each player to determine the food supply on the Watering Hole for each turn, to which players can then play cards to modify their species, either by giving them traits or discarding cards to increase their size or population, or create new species. There are numerous traits with various effects, from fat tissue that stores extra food to horns that damage would-be predators. As each species can have up to unique traits, there are an abundance of combinations that can be made which when played with careful consideration, can create winning combos of synergy. After cards have been played, the food is revealed and consumed in turn, and the process repeats. Should a species be unable to consume enough food though to satisfy its population, that species population will die off. Players must always be mindful not to over extend themselves as the threat of available food supply is always present. That, and the threat of carnivores.
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| So many various traits to be found in this game, and thus so many interesting species and combinations to be made. An enjoyable combo - Climbing, Hard Shell, and Defensive Herding, or as I like to call them, Ninja Turtles. |
At any point in the game, players can choose to play the carnivore trait card, making their species prey on the other species on the board to satisfy their food needs. This is where defensive traits and size come into play, as a carnivore can only eat a species that is smaller than it, and of course only a species that it can catch. So unless the carnivore can climb, it can't catch an opposing species that has the climb trait itself, and so forth. And should a carnivore be unable to get its needed nourishment, its population too could very well die off.
As mentioned before, the winner of the game is determined by whose species earns the most points, of which there are three means players may earn points in this game: A) Food (1 point per food consumed), B) Population (1 point per population among all your living species), and C) Traits (1 point per Trait card played on each of your living species). Because there are so many means in which players can earn points in this game, there is no right or wrong strategy to be found in the path for victory. Perhaps you will create a self-sustaining ecosystem in which your species can prosper off of their own traits. Or perhaps you'll create a savage, unstoppable species of carnivores to wreak havoc on the other players. Any strategy you should choose, it requires a keen awareness to read the situation at hand and adapt as needed.
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| It even comes with a little wooden lock neck dino to keep track of who the starting player is for a particular turn. |
With so many combinations of traits and strategies to try each game, Evolution is a game with fantastic replay ability. But should you be left wanting more, there are also numerous versions and expansions to be found, adding concepts such as flight and climate change. But for what is to be found in this base version of the game is an engaging and thrilling battle for survival of the fittest. I recommend this game for those who enjoy creative thinking and can handle multitasking.
If you have any questions about Evolution, let me know in the comments. And stay tuned to hear more about other Evolution expansions and more in future installments of Tabletop Tuesday!
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