THIS! This is an excellent entry level game! Fairly original, simple enough to grasp by non-gamers, interesting card powers and synergies that can be achieved. I'd really like to see more this sort of game design!
Thanks for tackling this again. Sam and Tom tackled this already but Sam seemed to have an external agenda against the theme, which is sad as I also thought this was a fun game. Good review!
***** Waa waaaaaa.... sorry I did NOT want to start a discussion here on that topic. I'm pretty sure comments on the other video are disabled for that reason. Just wanted to thank Zee for giving this a go.. Case closed.
***** No way. It definitely makes more sense to claim that a bronze age Palestinian deity magically spoke everything into being just a couple thousand years ago.
paleo2142 He also refuses to play the warlock (or whatever he's called) in Mage Wars. Let's just hope he doesn't forbid his kids from reading Harry Potter.But seriously, i don't think it has much to do with intelligence. Some people just don't want to be saved. :)Also, let's hope this comment section doesn't get shut down because of these comments. I'd like to believe that some criticism should be allowed unless we're talking about massive insults.also, no paragraphs! RUclips comment system YAY!
North Star is a great company (they quickly sent me replacement parts AND twizzlers :) ) that has essentially no blemishes on its record, so I'm glad to see it making a good foray into strategy games. Love the thematic idea and the gameplay looks good. I am so shocked by these complaints about the first player marker; that thing is amazing.
This is one of the most thematic games out there. It just naturally forces you into actually evolving your species in the most advantageous way based on the game environment. It's amazing. Love this one !
First time playing. CArnivores everywhere. Food was plenty in the whole. -> Logical solution: Group defense card (forgot what it's really called). Climbing (lucky I got this pretty early on). Fertile. I was an unstoppable swarm of tree-climbing, constantly multiplying turtles.
I got the KS version of this game for christmas and we played about 4 games of it pretty much back to back. It actually takes a while to really get the nuances of the game, which I was pleasantly surprised by. My family and I enjoy the game for sure.
I've played the original evolution game, and probably the only think I miss is how the food is placed on the board. In the old game it was random, so there were times that obtaining food was hard, and you really have to think about how to combo your traits to get the maximum benefit. In the new version, the food number on the trait cards are so big that most of the time you don't even need to use your traits to get enough food. Someone else have this feeling or it's just me?
Alumnnia It depends on the board situation. It was definitely advantageous in a game recently for me to play a '0' card when I thought I could get the little amount of food ahead of my opponent.
Already ordered it, my copy should arive next week. Also I'm hoping it'll contain the watering hole from Zee's video - I liked that one better than this, it just seemed more alive.
oh Zee.. you... I happen to like the first player marker. It's easier to pass around actually. And speaking of kickstarter I'm not sure if you've seen the kickstarter exclusive first player maker.. it's basically the same size.. but it's 3D. So it's basically a fully toy dinosaur which I find ridiculously large.. but not ridiculous. Anyway great review it's been a big hit with my group. One of the things you didn't mention that I like is the player aid. One of the biggest issue with a game when you first play it is getting card familiarity. Knowing what cards are in the game and what youre creatures CAN be. The player aid does a swell job of showing you ever type of evolution you can apply so you can think about what may be useful and what combinations to strive for even when you first start the game.
Thanks for this review! The science nerd in me was sucked it by the theme, but you make it sound like the game play is fluid and fun too. Will definitely make a purchase!
i have played the original evolution (origin of species), there kind of the same, big change’s are the boards, and the food. this one is probably better
the mechanics have changed greatly as well. In OOS I don't think population was a mechanic and body size was reworked to debuff Carnivores which were too powerful the first time around. But yeah it's based on that Russian hit and it shows but it was definitely improved.
yeah that won't work in this new one. Well you could do it like that.. make a powerful predator but the games works against this in a few ways. 1) You're limited to three traits per species now. (You can replace traits thought) 2) points are based on what you can eat for the most part putting all your effort into making your predator unstoppable means you won't have time to make it populous enough to actually eat a lot of food. and I really really love that they give the players some control of the food. The random dice rolls could make for some epicly boring or harsh games every once in a while when the dice rolls are too good or too bad respectively.
THIS! This is an excellent entry level game! Fairly original, simple enough to grasp by non-gamers, interesting card powers and synergies that can be achieved. I'd really like to see more this sort of game design!
Thanks for tackling this again. Sam and Tom tackled this already but Sam seemed to have an external agenda against the theme, which is sad as I also thought this was a fun game.
Good review!
***** Waa waaaaaa.... sorry I did NOT want to start a discussion here on that topic.
I'm pretty sure comments on the other video are disabled for that reason.
Just wanted to thank Zee for giving this a go..
Case closed.
***** Particularly strange seeing as this game is essentially guided evolution which would be consistent with some concepts of intelligent design.
***** No way. It definitely makes more sense to claim that a bronze age Palestinian deity magically spoke everything into being just a couple thousand years ago.
Oh man really? That's disappointing to hear. I always considered Sam a repetitively smart guy.
paleo2142 He also refuses to play the warlock (or whatever he's called) in Mage Wars. Let's just hope he doesn't forbid his kids from reading Harry Potter.But seriously, i don't think it has much to do with intelligence. Some people just don't want to be saved. :)Also, let's hope this comment section doesn't get shut down because of these comments. I'd like to believe that some criticism should be allowed unless we're talking about massive insults.also, no paragraphs! RUclips comment system YAY!
North Star is a great company (they quickly sent me replacement parts AND twizzlers :) ) that has essentially no blemishes on its record, so I'm glad to see it making a good foray into strategy games. Love the thematic idea and the gameplay looks good. I am so shocked by these complaints about the first player marker; that thing is amazing.
This is one of the most thematic games out there. It just naturally forces you into actually evolving your species in the most advantageous way based on the game environment. It's amazing. Love this one !
First time playing. CArnivores everywhere. Food was plenty in the whole.
-> Logical solution: Group defense card (forgot what it's really called). Climbing (lucky I got this pretty early on). Fertile.
I was an unstoppable swarm of tree-climbing, constantly multiplying turtles.
I got the KS version of this game for christmas and we played about 4 games of it pretty much back to back. It actually takes a while to really get the nuances of the game, which I was pleasantly surprised by. My family and I enjoy the game for sure.
Uh oh, my B.A.D. (board game acquisition disorder) is starting to tingle! Looks like I'm going to have to pick this one up as well. :)
Great review Zee! Glad I backed this game
Just found this one for $3 at a goodwill. My cover has an iguana on it. Thanks so much for the review!
I've played the original evolution game, and probably the only think I miss is how the food is placed on the board. In the old game it was random, so there were times that obtaining food was hard, and you really have to think about how to combo your traits to get the maximum benefit. In the new version, the food number on the trait cards are so big that most of the time you don't even need to use your traits to get enough food. Someone else have this feeling or it's just me?
Alumnnia It depends on the board situation. It was definitely advantageous in a game recently for me to play a '0' card when I thought I could get the little amount of food ahead of my opponent.
Looking for Christmas presents for my kids, thanks Zee!
Can't wait to get the german version. I hope Schmidt Spiele hurries up.
Already ordered it, my copy should arive next week. Also I'm hoping it'll contain the watering hole from Zee's video - I liked that one better than this, it just seemed more alive.
oh Zee.. you...
I happen to like the first player marker. It's easier to pass around actually. And speaking of kickstarter I'm not sure if you've seen the kickstarter exclusive first player maker.. it's basically the same size.. but it's 3D. So it's basically a fully toy dinosaur which I find ridiculously large.. but not ridiculous.
Anyway great review it's been a big hit with my group. One of the things you didn't mention that I like is the player aid. One of the biggest issue with a game when you first play it is getting card familiarity. Knowing what cards are in the game and what youre creatures CAN be. The player aid does a swell job of showing you ever type of evolution you can apply so you can think about what may be useful and what combinations to strive for even when you first start the game.
To be fair, he did say that it was the best start player token ever designed earlier in the video.
Thanks for this review! The science nerd in me was sucked it by the theme, but you make it sound like the game play is fluid and fun too. Will definitely make a purchase!
i have played the original evolution (origin of species), there kind of the same, big change’s are the boards, and the food. this one is probably better
the mechanics have changed greatly as well. In OOS I don't think population was a mechanic and body size was reworked to debuff Carnivores which were too powerful the first time around. But yeah it's based on that Russian hit and it shows but it was definitely improved.
SuperWolfkin
wel i played the russian version a few times, i usaly win that on by having 1 monster that has a huge amount of traits.
yeah that won't work in this new one. Well you could do it like that.. make a powerful predator but the games works against this in a few ways. 1) You're limited to three traits per species now. (You can replace traits thought) 2) points are based on what you can eat for the most part putting all your effort into making your predator unstoppable means you won't have time to make it populous enough to actually eat a lot of food.
and I really really love that they give the players some control of the food. The random dice rolls could make for some epicly boring or harsh games every once in a while when the dice rolls are too good or too bad respectively.
Wonderful review....I want it now....
But I have to disagree - that first player token is awesome!!!
I miss the old deleted review for its unintentional comedy. lol
Man, now I really wish I had pre-ordered this at Gencon last year. Looks like I'll just have to keep my eye out at my FLGS for it.
nope, it's on kickstarter right now :-D
+Jeff Figueroa There's a new Kickstarter campaign for Evolution: Climate at the moment. It's a stand alone expansion.
also online too
Looks like a greate upgrade of the card game.
Nice review Zee!
my man zee, that was a lazy review there. still i like your style
Now I want this
Toss that start player token into Animal Upon Animal box and see what happens.
Its me or the game is a little boring? prefer smallworld. PD: I'm not a hater its only my oppinion.
yup, turning head to read notes, tossing tokens with "whatever".. and his rant on starting player token.. but it's Zee, he will get away with that..;)
I hate the new version no longer comes with the food bags.