In Neanderthal you travel back to 43,000 BC, the icy European Ice Age, and take control of one of three human species: Archaic, Neanderthal or Cro‑Magnon. Each species has its own character cards, but the core loop is the same – you allocate your workers (men, women and elders) to different board spaces to hunt Pleistocene megafauna, teach vocabulary to children, develop fire, warfare, inventions or animal domestication. Actions are resolved through auctions, dice rolls and event cards that can shift the climate or unleash hungry predators.

Your mating strategy – promiscuous, harem or pair‑bonding – decides which resources count toward victory. Depending on that choice, the score may value hunters, elders, accumulated vocabulary, trophies, inventions or domesticated animals. The game blends worker placement, bidding and player negotiation, as you can trade vocabulary cards or hunting agreements. A single play lasts 60‑120 minutes, supports 1‑3 players and carries a medium complexity (3.8/5), perfect for fans of pre‑historic themes who want strategic depth without overwhelming rules. When the civilization reaches a certain level, Neanderthal links seamlessly into its companion game Greenland, allowing a smooth transition to the next glacial era. In short, it mixes history, economics and a dash of tribal drama, all wrapped in beautifully illustrated cards and quality components.