# Ecos: First Continent

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: #1191
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 45-75 min
- **Weight**: 2.57 / 5
- **Designers**: John D. Clair
- **Artists**: Sabrina Miramon
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, Arclight Games, Gen-X Games (GenX), Lavka Games, Lucky Duck Games, TTGames CZ
- **Categories**: Animals, Environmental, Prehistoric, Territory Building
- **Mechanics**: Bingo, Contracts, Modular Board, Set Collection, Simultaneous Action Selection, Tile Placement, Turn Order: Progressive

## Verdict
Perfect for world-builders who enjoy a snappy pace. The highlight is the satisfaction of watching the map come to life.Simultaneous actions keep it fastVery immersive environmental themeVisually rewarding map buildingAccessible rules for newcomersModerate language dependenceRNG from tokens can be frustratingRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever wondered what Earth would look like if the laws of nature had taken a different turn? In Ecos: First Continent, you step into the role of a primordial force of nature. Your goal is to shape the planet, crafting habitats and deciding which species will thrive in this reimagined world. You are essentially the architect of a continent, but there's a catch: your opponents are also trying to impose their own visions of grandeur, leading to a compelling struggle for space and resources.

The gameplay is snappy thanks to simultaneous action selection. Each round, element tokens are drawn from a bag, and all players simultaneously try to use these elements to complete cards in their personal tableaus. If you can't use an element immediately, you're not out of luck; you can convert it into energy cubes, draw more cards, or add it to your tableau to expand your options for future turns. It's the kind of game that rewards flexibility and the ability to adapt your strategy to whatever the bag delivers.

Visually and mechanically, the game offers great variety. You'll be creating mountain ranges, dense jungles, winding rivers, deep seas, isolated islands, and open savannas. Each of these biomes comes with its own unique fauna, making the process of filling the map incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy tile placement with a hint of 'bingo' (when completing cards) and love seeing an ecosystem grow before your eyes, Ecos is the perfect fit. It strikes an interesting balance between strategic planning and the randomness of the revealed elements, all wrapped in an engaging environmental theme.

## FAQ
### Does the game take too long to finish?
Not at all! Thanks to simultaneous actions, games usually last between 45 and 75 minutes, even with a full group.

### Is it too complex for beginners?
It's a light-medium weight (2.57 on BGG). The rules are intuitive, making it a great step up from basic gateway games.

### How many players can join?
From 2 to 6 players. It scales well, though the interaction peaks with more people at the table.

### Is there a lot of text/language dependence?
Language dependence is moderate. Some cards have text, so a translation sheet or translated cards are recommended.

### What is the overall feel of the game?
It's the feeling of 'building something'. Watching the continent expand with various biomes is the most rewarding part.

## Price Comparison
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