9.3
rating
Ludopedia
8.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy Darwin's Journey and want to add an extra touch of strategy and assistance, this mini-expansion with animal companions is a welcome addition!
Highlights
- Initial benefits and unique actions
- Increases replayability
- Helps balance the game
- Thematic and cute!
Keep in mind
- Only one use per card
- Small addition to the game
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Hey there, fellow explorers! Ready to give your scientific expeditions a little boost? Introducing 'Animal Companion', a super charming mini-expansion for Darwin's Journey! If you love the base game and want to add an extra flavor, this one's for you. It includes 6 Animal Companion cards that arrive to give you a helping hand right from the start, with a special setup bonus. But that's not all! Each little animal offers a unique, one-time-use action during the game, perfect for giving you that strategic edge when you need it most. Imagine a loyal ally helping you collect more specimens, optimize your moves, or complete those trickier contracts. The beauty of this expansion is that it can be used to lend a hand to newer players, balancing the game against more experienced folks, or simply for everyone to enjoy a bit more fun and strategy. It came bundled with the Collector's Edition and also appeared on Kickstarter, so if you backed the base game there, you might already have this cutie. It's a light addition, but it brings a nice impact to the experience without overcomplicating the rules we already love. If you're looking for more replayability and an extra thematic touch, it's definitely worth checking out!
Expansion for
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
3
REC
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
ThunderGryph Games, Portal Games
Designer
Nestore Mangone, Simone Luciani
Artist
Paolo Voto
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need the Darwin's Journey base game to play with this expansion?
Yes, absolutely! 'Animal Companion' is a mini-expansion and requires the Darwin's Journey base game to be used.
How many players can use the Animal Companion cards?
The cards can be distributed to all players or focused on newer players, depending on the group's preference for balancing the game.
What is the actual impact of these cards on the game?
They offer an initial benefit (setup) and a special one-time-use action. This can help optimize your plays, complete objectives faster, or give you that extra boost when you need it most.
Does this expansion add much complexity to the rules?
No, the idea is for it to be a light addition. The rules are simple and focus on one benefit and one action, without overwhelming the main game.
Where can I find this expansion?
It was included in the Collector's Edition of Darwin's Journey and was also available as an add-on during the Kickstarter campaign. It might be harder to find separately now.
Is this an essential expansion for base game owners?
It's not essential, but it's a very nice addition for those who want a bit more variety and strategic help. If you enjoy the base game, you'll likely appreciate this little extra dose.