In Wondrous Creatures, players set off on an expedition to an enigmatic island, beckoned by tales of a trade ship that was guided there by a luminous bird amidst a thick sea mist. This once-concealed island is abundant with diverse creatures, ranging from the charmingly small furballs to the commanding, large reptiles brandishing fearsome fangs.
👥 1-4 players, ages 14+
⌛ Playing time: 60-120 minutes
📝 Designer: Yeom C.W.
🎨 Artwork: Sophia Kang
🏢 Publisher: Bad Comet (prototype copy provided)
Check out Wondrous Creatures on Kickstarter
During their turn, players can opt for one out of four primary actions: positioning a crew on the map, integrating creature cards into their collection, achieving specific objectives, or rejuvenating by recharging. Beyond these main actions, players have the liberty to undertake auxiliary actions such as employing a butterfly net, utilizing an energy token, or amplifying their crew’s skills. These decisions have notable implications on how the game evolves.
🃏 Central to the game is the strategic assembly of a reserve, composed of creature cards and eggs. Each card has its unique attribute, and through careful selection and deployment, players can streamline their reserves. This boosts their prowess in securing achievements, thereby gaining an edge over rivals. The strategic placement of the crew on the game map is crucial, influencing resource gathering and board interactions. Over the course of play, players can also augment their crew to wield enhanced abilities.
🔢 Scoring points has a dual approach. Direct points, symbolized by the brown seal icon, are incorporated into a player’s tally as soon as they’re accrued. As these points grow, players can encounter bonus icons on the scoring track, bestowing extra rewards. In contrast, points indicated by the red seal icon are set aside and summed up only upon the game’s conclusion.
🏆 The game heads towards its endgame when all available trophies are acquired. Players then take one last turn each before the final scoring ensues, encompassing elements from card values, achieved objectives, to additional bonus points. The highest scorer is declared the victor.
Crafted by Yeom C.W. and awaiting its Kickstarter debut via publisher Bad Comet – known for games like Life of the Amazonia and Wild: Serengeti – Wondrous Creatures caters to 1-4 players. It’s best suited for those aged 14 and above, with a game duration ranging between 60 and 120 minutes.
🎨 For a prototype, both the components and the artwork by Sophia Kang on the creature cards already look phenomenal. Unique wooden components, paired with functional magnetic meeples, elevate the game’s visual and tactile appeal. Players commence with three crew members, including a magnetic one. The game introduces six distinct crew captains, each endowed with special skills. At the game’s start, these captains are chosen in reverse order, and each is paired with a magnetic counterpart to ensure they don’t fall off, providing in-game stability.
⚙️ At its core, Wondrous Creatures seamlessly blends worker placement, tableau building, set collection, and unique player abilities. Turns are swift, though with a party of four, some downtime might be experienced. The game concludes either by claiming all trophies or when a player has taken the recharge action a certain number of times. Trophies can be obtained by fulfilling specific goals or deploying certain cards.
📘 The design aims to be organized and user-friendly, featuring illustrations and examples to aid comprehension. The game’s strategic depth is comparable to titles like Everdell, suggesting it might lean more towards enthusiast gamers rather than casual players. Despite its depth, the game aims to be accessible to a broad audience, largely attributed to the design and layout of the rulebook.
🔄 Replayability appears to be a consideration in the game’s design, with different achievements set for each session. The 112 individual animal cards, each with unique abilities, further add to the game’s variability. Player interactions are shaped by competition for milestones and worker placements on the primary game board. However, potential players should note the game’s length, which might be considered lengthy relative to its strategic depth by some.
💭 Wondrous Creatures masterfully intertwines familiar game mechanics in a novel fashion. It is engaging yet approachable, inviting players to engage without being daunted by complexities. Its table presence, accentuated by the stunning creature cards and bespoke components, makes it a visual delight. If you’re someone who values depth without cumbersome rules, this game deserves your attention.
🌟 For those intrigued, the Kickstarter for Wondrous Creatures is set to launch on October 25th: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/badcomet/wondrous-creatures
📝 Disclaimer: The reviewed version was a prototype provided by Bad Comet. Some components and game aspects might undergo refinements before the final edition is released.
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