Like many others, I adore animals. Several games in my collection feature animal themes, whether realistic or fictional, and they manage to draw us in. From Ark Nova to Everdell, there are plenty of games to celebrate on the market right now. With PAX Unplugged at the end of the month, I wanted to take a sneak peek at some upcoming titles…
Reptile Tank
This is an example of a game doing exactly what it says on the box! Rather than fantastical dragons or talking lizards, Reptile Tank focusses on some neglected scaley buddies. In this tableau building game, you position different sorts of tortoises or snakes beside rocks and plants where they can reside. This one is ideal for families, with straightforward scoring and easy-to-understand rules. Players will enjoy the deciding where to place each reptile for maximum points as well as enjoying the engaging theme.
Llama Llama
Published by Allplay, a gaming table manufacturer with a track record of producing 1-minute teach games. Llama Llama is a pass-and-play card game that makes an excellent filler for extended game nights. Or even after you’ve had your Christmas dinner this year. It is guaranteed to put a smile on people’s faces with these bright and vivid cards. There is also an extra feature in which participants can guess one another’s scoring conditions, for extra points of course. Llama Llama is suitable for players aged 8 and up, making it a great option for family gatherings.
Jungo
Jungo is a hand discarding game with contrasting artwork inspired by one of our closest animal relatives. In Jungo, you must be the first player to discard all your cards. This is accomplished by placing cards from your hand in runs; however, you are unable to rearrange your hand at any time. The game requires strategic thinking and quick decision-making skills to outwit your opponents. Jungo offers a unique twist on traditional card games and monkeys too!
Neko Syndicate
Cats and sushi are at the heart of this gam designed by Dani Garcia. You and your feline clan are controlling local networks with tableau building that incorporates actions and goals at the same time. You are your opponent take turns at the same time making this game easy and breezy to finish in 30 minutes. With only 15 turns to construct your ideal hierarchical pyramid. The question is, will you be the Supreme Leader, the cat whose food finds its way into every street corner and home?
Flamecraft: Duals
Flamecraft was an instant success. In a worker placement game, you run and visit shops while accompanied by adorable dragons. However, Duals, a lighter, more abstract 2-player game, is new this year. This game employs a puzzle-like pattern mechanic in which dragons are put onto a central board. Each dragon has a particular skill that, when coupled in a row with other dragons, earns the player points. Once every dragon has been placed, player total their scores and declare a winner. Dual is perfect for those who experienced the original yet prefer a lighter, more relaxed vibe.
Moon Bunny
As your craft, wander through fields of herbs and flowers and conjure up unique magical concoctions. Your bunnies can hop in different patterns to acquire the necessary materials for your masterpiece. Players can then combine their accumulated resources to fulfil their own objectives while also competing for public goals. Moon Bunny is a more challenging game with an estimated runtime of about an hour for four players. So if you’re looking for a cross theme with space and fluffy rabbits and an interesting mechanics, this could be the title for you this year.
Cats Vs Cucumbers
Push-your-luck games, in my opinion, are an overlooked genre of gaming. Not only are they enjoyable and unique strategic experiences, but many of them are excellent introduction games for new players. Cats Vs Cucumbers earns marks not simply for its odd name, but also for the mechanic it employs. Roll the dice to collect cute kitties; once you’ve collected the screen-printed wooden cat meeples, store them safely in their boxes. However, you can also roll cucumbers, which cats dislike! Cats will flee from their cosy boxes, and you will have to start over. What is not to like?
Cascadia: Alpine Lakes
Cascadia has been a gaming phenomenon for the last few years. Enjoyed informally by individuals who enjoy the competitive scene. It’s excellent abstract tile-laying gameplay with tonnes of replay value. Alpine Lakes is a new game in the series, with new animals and increased complexity for fans of the outdoor-themed games. This version includes a few new capabilities, the most notable of which is the ability to create 3D landscapes and stack tiles. Animals at higher levels will score more points, and each habitat will be viewed as a point opportunity. So get placing!
Leaping Lions
Many people would be aware that the Chinese New Year is represented by a different animal each year. Much of the Chinese New Year is rooted in history, and while the animals change each year, one thing remains constant: the lion dance. Leaping Lions is a game where your athletic dancer jumps from pole to pole. In the game, platforms serve as the core stage, allowing the lion to leap. Place firecrackers and various instruments while moving the lion to score escalating numbers. Leaping Lions combines a fantastic theme that I’ve never seen before with fascinating gameplay.
