On the Origin of Species — Prices

Mont Tàber, Arclight Games, Artana · Board game · 2019
7.8 Ludopedia 6.8 BGG 2–4 · best 3 45–80 min Weight 2.3/5
Buy · from US$ 18.22
7.8 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A fascinating voyage through the Galapagos for nature and science lovers!

Highlights
  • Highly engaging scientific theme
  • Rewarding discovery mechanics
  • Great balance of research and reward
  • Fast-paced and thematic gameplay
Keep in mind
  • Might be light for hardcore gamers
  • Requires careful action management
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get your magnifying glass ready for a historical expedition! In On the Origin of Species, you step into the shoes of a naturalist aboard the famous HMS Beagle. Your mission is clear: follow in Charles Darwin's footsteps across the Galapagos Islands to discover new species and unravel the mysteries of life. It's a scientific race to catalog local fauna and expand human knowledge about the natural world.

The gameplay is quite dynamic, revolving around two main actions that you must balance carefully. First, there's the Research phase: you place research pieces on different species tiles to gain knowledge about habitats—whether in the air, on land, or in the water. Then comes the most rewarding part: the Discovery phase. Using the knowledge you've gathered, you place new species tiles on the board, earning victory points, evolution cards, characters, and even interesting objects. Additionally, every move helps advance the Beagle on its voyage.

The game concludes when the ship completes its route, leaving the archipelago for New Zealand. Scoring is a mix of what you accumulated during the voyage and a specific final goal card, ensuring that every research decision was crucial to the expedition's success. It's a perfect game for nature and science lovers who want to feel the excitement of a major scientific discovery without needing a heavy biology textbook!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples Country: Ecuador Crowdfunding: Verkami Historical Figures: Charles Darwin Islands: Galápagos (Ecuador) Organizations: Board Games Association of Creators in Spain (LUDO) Theme: Biology Theme: Evolution Theme: Science
Publisher Mont Tàber, Arclight Games, Artana, Spielefaible
Designer Ferran Renalias, Gerard Ascensi
Artist Amelia Sales

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,554owners
429wishlist
22want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
What is the average playtime?
The fun lasts between 45 and 80 minutes, depending on the number of players.
Is it too complex for beginners?
Not at all! It's an accessible game, perfect for those wanting a deep theme without ultra-complex rules.
How many players can play?
The game works great with 2 to 4 players.
Is it highly competitive?
Yes, you are competing to see who makes the most important discoveries and scores the most!
What are the main components?
You'll deal with species pieces, research pieces, and evolution/character cards.

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