Imagine you are the successor of the monk Tybor Kwelein, tasked with completing an epic manuscript detailing the species of primary forests. In Codex Naturalis, the challenge isn't just collecting information, but how you organize it. The game utilizes a fascinating layering mechanic: you place cards over others, covering parts of what's already on the table to create new combinations.

Each player starts with a base card and must manage a hand consisting of resource cards and gold cards. Resource cards are free to play and serve as the foundation for your scoring. Gold cards are where the magic happens: they provide immediate points but require specific resources to be visible in your manuscript to be played. This is where the strategy kicks in: you must decide whether to keep a resource visible for later use or cover it with a new card to score points now.

You can also play cards face down to gain space and resources without scoring, building a strategic foundation for future moves. The tension rises as soon as a player reaches 20 points, triggering the final round where everyone gets one last chance to shine. In the end, besides immediate points, you also score based on public objectives and one secret objective. The player who achieves the best organization of fauna and flora in their parchment wins. It's a tactical puzzle game, fast-paced and visually satisfying, perfect for those who love optimizing every inch of the table!