Oikos

Oikos is a board game that puts you in the role of a native Brazilian species leader, guiding its population to thrive amid ecological challenges. The game unfolds over five rounds, with each species playing in ascending order of their position in the food chain, starting with the lowest-level organisms. During your turn, you add a card to the board, expanding the map and creating new habitats; then move your piece to collect resources from the spot you land on; and finally earn victory points based on what you achieved that turn.

At the end of the rounds, the final score combines points earned in each turn with resource bonuses. Each species can spend pinecones (neutral resources) to convert 2 pinecones into 1 extra point. Additionally, whoever holds the most of each resource type (meat, fruit, or eggs) receives an extra point per resource. If there are ties, the species with the lowest priority (higher in the food chain) wins.

The game stands out for its simplicity and speed: games last 15 to 30 minutes but remain strategic. The action queue mechanic lets you plan moves before execution, while map expansion and area movement keep the board dynamic and unpredictable. The variety of powers for each species creates an asymmetric experience, requiring each player to adapt their strategy to their set of abilities.

Oikos is ideal for those who enjoy ecosystems, light strategy games, and species interactions. It blends fun with an educational touch, teaching players about ecology and conservation in a playful and accessible way.