Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
A cerebral duel of pure strategy and biological survival.
Highlights
- Deep abstract strategy
- Satisfying growth mechanic
- Intense direct confrontation
- High tactical replayability
Keep in mind
- Strictly for two players
- Requires sharp logical reasoning
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
Get your brain ready, because Bestiarium is not for amateurs! Forget that idea of an adventure RPG with infinite dice rolls; here, the real action is in pure, raw strategy. This is a two-player mental duel played on a hexagonal board, where you act as a strategist trying to dominate the ecosystem. The goal seems simple, but it's a true dance of survival: you place stones to form creatures, but the secret lies in how these creatures interact. If you manage to create a set of creatures of the same size but with different shapes, you form a 'fauna' and earn valuable points. However, if you end up creating creatures of the same size and the same shape, congratulations, you've created a 'pecies' and that will cost you points! It's a game of growth and devouring: by placing a stone, your creature can grow and 'eat' enemy creatures of the same size and different shape, expanding your domain. The game ends when no more moves can be made, and scoring is done in a cascade, comparing the value of your fauna and species by size. It's a game of high precision, where every stone placed can be the start of a glorious victory or the beginning of a biological disaster for your side of the board. If you love abstract games where mistakes are severely punished and victory depends on anticipating your opponent's move, Bestiarium is your next addiction.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Web published)
Designer
Saïd Galdseid
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
This is an exclusively 2-player game, focused on direct head-to-head combat.
How long does a typical game last?
Games can range from a quick 30 minutes to intense 120-minute sessions.
Is the game very complex?
It has a learning curve, but once you grasp the 'fauna' vs 'pecies' logic, the gameplay flows very logically.
Do I need a specific board?
The game is played on a hexagonal grid that can be adjusted (5, 6, or 7 cells per side) depending on preference.
Does it have RPG themes?
While the theme involves creatures and bestiaries, the gameplay is abstract strategy, without dice rolls or traditional RPG elements.