Cover of the game Animalia

Animalia

GameWorks SàRL · Board game · 2006
Ludopedia
5.7 Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
6.2 BoardGameGeek
Players
2–6 · best 2
Play Time
10–20 min
Weight
Weight 1.2/5
Year
Year 2006
Minimum age
Minimum age 7+
Buy · from US$ 33.37
5.7 rating Ludopedia
6.2 rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Animalia is a light and accessible card game, perfect for those looking for quick family fun. The drafting and set collection mechanics create a constant, humorous struggle for the title of best breeder. It is the type of game that easily hits the table, appeals to all ages, and keeps playtimes short.

Highlights
  • Simple and intuitive mechanics
  • Extremely quick play sessions
  • Highly accessible for children
  • Constant player interaction
Keep in mind
  • Luck factor can frustrate strategies
  • Very low complexity for veterans
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Animalia is one of those curious games that started as a promotional project for a Swiss pet insurance company, yet it evolved into a surprisingly engaging family game. Forget the idea of a boring corporate giveaway; here, your goal is to be the best show-animal breeder. Over three seasons, you will compete against your friends to build the most elegant collection of animals, always keeping an eye on points and medals. The mechanics are straightforward: you use open drafting to select your animals and then compare their elegance (shown by stars on the cards) to see who takes the round bonuses. But don't be fooled, the competition is fierce! Each player has animal cards with special powers that can be used to spoil your opponents' plans. It is a light, fast-paced game perfect for groups or kids, as the luck factor in drawing cards gives everyone a fair chance to win. The set collection mechanic is the heart of the game: you need to be strategic to get the right combinations of animal families or a wide variety of species to secure medals. With each round, the tension rises, and you must pay attention not only to your own collection but also to what your opponents are drafting. If you are looking for something that doesn't require hours of explanation and brings a lively, competitive atmosphere to the table, Animalia delivers exactly that. It is a game that doesn't take itself too seriously, focusing on immediate fun and constant interaction. With matches lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, it is the ideal choice for a quick filler or to warm up the table before a heavier game. Prepare to prove you are the top show-animal breeder and try not to let your friends' special powers ruin your strategy. It is light, quick, and above all, great fun for anyone who enjoys card games that blend simple strategy with a healthy dose of chaos.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC
5 REC
6 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Animals: Birds Animals: Cats Animals: Dogs Animals: Horses Animals: Rabbits / Hares
Publisher GameWorks SàRL
Designer Bruno Cathala, Malcolm Braff, Sébastien Pauchon
Artist Mathieu Leyssenne

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

800owners
157wishlist
47want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How long does a game last?
It's quite fast! Matches usually take between 10 and 20 minutes.
How many players can play?
The game works well with 2 to 6 players.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all. It's a light game with a weight of 1.2, perfect for beginners and families.
Is the game cooperative or competitive?
The original Animalia is competitive; everyone wants to be the best breeder!
What is the recommended age?
From age 7 and up, everyone can have a great time.
What's in the box?
Basically a deck of animal cards and some medal tokens.

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