Evolution: The Origin of Species

Rightgames RBG SIA, G3, More Fun Co., Ltd. · Board game · 2010
8.0 Ludopedia 6.2 BGG 2–4 · best 4 30–60 min Weight 2.1/5
Buy · from US$ 11.84
8.0 rating Ludopedia
6.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Enjoy evolving critters and watching them fend for themselves in the wild? Evolution: The Origin of Species is a fast-paced and fun game that simulates the struggle for survival strategically.

Highlights
  • Engaging species evolution
  • Player interaction
  • Clever card management
  • Well-applied theme
Keep in mind
  • Can have some luck
  • Attacks can be frustrating
  • Dependent on starting hand
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Evolution: The Origin of Species, you take on the role of Mother Nature herself, guiding the evolution of various animal species. The goal is simple: keep your critters alive and thriving in a world full of challenges. Each player starts with a handful of cards, which can be used to create new animals or to give them unique and advantageous traits, like camouflage, poison, or even the ability to swim. But beware, each card can have two abilities, and you can only choose one at a time, hiding the other. Each round, nature determines how much food will be available – sometimes with the help of dice. Then, it's time to feed the critters! This is where it gets interesting: carnivorous animals can attack other animals to feed, but their prey might have defenses to escape. If an animal doesn't eat enough, it doesn't survive and its traits go to the dogs. Animals that manage to stay alive and well-fed, with their evolved characteristics, are worth points at the end of the game. The more animals and traits you have, the better! But don't be fooled, some traits that give bonus points can also backfire when it comes to ensuring survival. It's a strategy game with a touch of luck, where you need to balance creating species with protecting them from the dangers of evolution. Get ready to watch your animals adapt and fight for survival!

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Components: Multi-Use Cards Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Series: Evolution (Rightgames) Theme: Biology Theme: Evolution Theme: Nature
Publisher Rightgames RBG SIA, G3, More Fun Co., Ltd., RBG, Stolitsa Design Group, TWOPLUS Games, ТРЕТЯ ПЛАНЕТА
Designer Dmitry Knorre, Sergey Machin
Artist Dmitry Knorre

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,523owners
243wishlist
34want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many people can play Evolution: The Origin of Species?
The game is for 2 to 4 players. If you combine two copies of the game, you can even expand it to 8 players!
How long does a game usually take?
A game typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
The complexity is considered moderate, with a BGG weight of 2.07. The basic rules are easy to grasp, but the strategies can become quite deep.
What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily uses cards representing animals and their traits, along with food cubes and dice.
Is this game more about luck or strategy?
It's a good balance between the two! Dice rolls and the cards you draw bring the luck element, but managing your hand and choosing traits are purely strategic.
Who would you recommend this game to?
We recommend it for those who enjoy games with nature and evolution themes, and for players who like interacting with opponents, whether cooperatively or competitively.

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