Cellulose: A Plant Cell Biology Game

Genius Games, Ediciones MasQueOca, Lanlalen · Board game · 2022
1–5 · best 3 Solo 45–90 min Weight 2.6/5
9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
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9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict

For strategy lovers who want to learn biology without it feeling like a lecture!

Highlights
  • Deep biological strategy
  • Excellent standalone sequel
  • Fluid worker placement
  • Highly thematic art
Keep in mind
  • May require translation/sheets
  • Technical theme might intimidate
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About the game
If you think biology is just memorizing organelle names for an exam, get ready to change your mind! Cellulose: A Plant Cell Biology Game throws you straight into a plant cell, where the goal is much more than just survival. You take on the role of a plant cell master, competing with other players to manage scarce resources and perform vital processes like photosynthesis, carbohydrate production, and building the cell wall. It's a pure strategy game where timing is everything: you must decide the exact moment to use your proteins, hormones, and cellular components to ensure your cell is the most efficient of the round.

This is a standalone title, meaning you can play it without needing Cytosis (2017) on your shelf, though it shares some of its DNA. If you enjoyed Cytosis, you'll feel right at home, but prepare for an expanded experience. Cellulose brings much more control over available resources and varied strategic paths, allowing each player to craft a unique strategy to dominate the cell. Additionally, it offers flexibility in game length, adapting better to the time you have available at the table. It's the perfect balance between an educational game and a robust strategy game, where science dictates the rules, but your intelligence decides who wins the biological race.
Rules videos

In English

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Game details

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Misc: LongPack Games Series: Science Games (Genius Games) Theme: Biology Theme: Science
Publisher Genius Games, Ediciones MasQueOca, Lanlalen, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer John Coveyou, Steve Schlepphorst
Artist Tomasz Bogusz
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own Cytosis to play Cellulose?
Nope! Cellulose is a standalone game, so you can jump right in without it.
Is the game too hard?
It requires focus and planning (mid-to-expert level), but the biological logic helps guide your strategy.
What is the best player count?
It works great for 1-5 players, but the resource competition is most intense with 3 or 4 players.
How long does a game take?
Typically between 45 to 90 minutes, depending on your strategic complexity.
Is it actually educational?
Yes! It uses real cellular biology processes, but focuses on fun and strategic gameplay.