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Description
Twenty years after his expedition around the world, Charles Darwin is writing On the Origin of Species. He wants to gather new information about animal life, particularly about continents he hardly explored. Who other than young naturalists, eager for discovery, could help the renowned scholar finish writing his most famous work?
In In the Footsteps of Darwin, players are junior naturalists who have just arrived aboard the Beagle to help Charles Darwin finish his book On the Origin of Species. During this journey, you will study animals, carry out cartographic surveys, publish your findings, and develop theories. Starting with the naturalist controlling the Darwin token, naturalists take turns in clockwise order, performing these two steps in order:
Study an animal or take inspiration from a character: Choose one of the three tiles facing the Beagle and place it onto your naturalist's notebook. It may be either an animal to study or a character from the Beagle's previous journey who will inspire you. Gain the bonuses depicted or any additional scoring bonuses triggered by the tile's placement.
Voyage of the Beagle: After placing a tile on your notebook, move the Beagle as many spaces forward as the distance between the Beagle and the tile you just selected (1-3 spaces), then draw a new tile to replace the empty space on the journey board.
Your goal is to score more points than your opponents to determine who contributed the most to On the Origin of Species.
—description from publisher
Year Published
2023
Featured Videos
Rules Teach
Get into... In the footsteps of Darwin
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video -V_ESQi4YFw
Unknown rules_teach at 0:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61719 · mention_pk 154403
Click to watch at 0:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high-quality production: notebooks, tiles, and board
- clear, readable rulebook with strong iconography
- rich thematic integration and multiple scoring synergies
- engaging tactile components and thematic flavor
Cons
- rules can be dense and may require careful reading for edge cases
- potential for analysis paralysis due to multiple scoring paths
Thematic elements
- natural history, taxonomy, exploration, theory-building
- Beagle voyage around the world, Darwin's era, collecting wildlife and publishing insights
- educational with light humor
Comparison games
- Meadow
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- compasses and scroll multipliers — Collect compasses to multiply scroll-based bonuses for scoring.
- crown/Darwin mechanic — Crown-tied tiles interact with Darwin placements, affecting end-game points and token flow.
- end game bonuses — Having Darwin in your player area grants extra points; final scoring uses a notepad and multipliers.
- end-game scoring with Darwin bonus — Having Darwin in your player area grants extra points; final scoring uses a notepad and multipliers.
- guide tokens and expeditions — Guides can be spent to move the Beagle or modify tile outcomes, adding strategic depth.
- notebook placement and set collection — Tiles are placed into dedicated notebook slots, forming sets and unlocking bonuses.
- row/column publications — Completing rows/columns yields Publication tiles worth end-game points.
- tile drafting from a central board — Players select tiles from a main row and place them in their notebook.
- token movement and resource management — The Beagle moves based on chosen tiles; guides, compasses, and scrolls influence scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- going in its completion it is a beautifully beautifully produced games
- the rule book really straightforward as straightfood of the game is the rulebook
- the board has everything on it that you would ever need
- the losers have to do the dishes
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7eevJeg40TI
Allies or Enemies general_discussion at 0:34 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 61045 · mention_pk 153454
Click to watch at 0:34 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- tight gateway game with multiple viable strategies
- beautiful production and journal-like player boards
- educational appendix about the scientists and the voyage
Cons
- still a lighter, entry-weight experience
- expansions can be hard to find
Thematic elements
- scientific exploration of natural history during Darwin's era
- HMS Beagle voyage, early 19th century
- gateway, educational, tile drafting with historical flavor
Comparison games
- Captain Flip
- Darwin's Journey
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — compasses, chart tokens, and guides influence movement and scoring
- endgame row/column scoring — forming complete rows or columns yields publication tokens and endgame points
- grid placement — tiles are placed on a grid in matching region/type spaces
- tile drafting — players draft tiles and add them to their grid
- tile placement — tiles are placed on a grid in matching region/type spaces
- Token-based scoring — compasses, chart tokens, and guides influence movement and scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's still a two-player game but it's not really at its best at two players
- we were totally unfair on it the first time but now that I know what it is I really did appreciate it
- this is another Gateway game as well and we found we kind of went up and up and I think a lot of board gamers find this
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8sr60gL2qu8
CA Couple analysis at 2:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60358 · mention_pk 152775
Click to watch at 2:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high production value and tactile components
- strong educational potential with clear thematic integration
- clever spatial drafting that links tile choice to ship movement
- high replayability due to pattern-driven scoring and tile variation
Cons
- potentially steep initial learning curve for non-sci/education-focused players
- theme-heavy design may feel dense for casual players at first glance
Thematic elements
- Scientific discovery, biodiversity tracking, exploration, and natural history storytelling.
- Global expedition and field research in a 19th-century style of exploration, with a focus on cataloging species and geographic discovery.
- Array
Comparison games
- Cascadia
- Harmonies
- Ticket to Ride
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's really cool to see
- but it's the production value of this is so high every little detail here there's so much educational value here too which is really cool to see
- it's got a bit of push your luck to the game of course because you are drawing from the tiles and then making that decision of whether or not you're going to flip is always interesting
- Sky team is a silent Cooperative game where you are playing as a pilot and co-pilot attempting to land your plane safely in a variety of different airports
- there's buckets of joy in that game you never know the tile that it's going to come out
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qMaacMX8Ct4
Shiles Yarus Awards general_discussion at 1:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 59731 · mention_pk 152266
Click to watch at 1:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- the theme is strong and appealing (nature/animals)
- transparent, straightforward system
- clean, elegant design
- good replayability
Cons
- heavier than Captain Flip
- may be slightly more complex for casual players
Thematic elements
- nature, evolution, and exploration
- grid/ tableau-based central board with a 3x3 movement grid
- tableau/Rondell-style collection with spatial reasoning
Comparison games
- Captain Flip
- Sky Team
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — points depend on placements and combinations in your tableau
- grid/row/column scoring — points depend on placements and combinations in your tableau
- Rondel — take from a 3x3 grid by selecting from row/column around the outside edge
- rondell movement — take from a 3x3 grid by selecting from row/column around the outside edge
- tableau building — combine collected tiles into a personal grid to maximize points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's 20 to 30 minutes light game
- the turns are fast
- it's the kind of game where you get to talk to each other while you're playing
- the theme is a knockout
- really fits the theme
- not just one scenario so if you finish this scenario you will move on to other scenarios
- two players are going to not communicate with each other
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PF31j-JS2gk
Board Stupid top_10_list at 8:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31844 · mention_pk 93903
Click to watch at 8:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- familiar team behind similar styles
- potential for accessible introduction to historical subjects
Cons
- possibly challenging for new players
Thematic elements
- biographical exploration and scientific progress
- Darwin-era historical science theme
- historical/educational
Comparison games
- In the Footsteps of Marie Curie
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven actions — cards influence events and player actions
- Variable Powers — different player strategies and abilities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's basically King of Tokyo made in a tug of war way
- I really want to roll dice and smash staff
- Mega Fun
- I hope to get this one a Spiel
- this is the heaviest side definitely looks like a wide
- we are very excited
- this looks fantastic
- this looks like an absolute Jam
- I can't wait to play this
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SKygDJRRs2c
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 51:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 27981 · mention_pk 81697
Click to watch at 51:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful production and thematic appeal
- Interesting historical/scientific framing
Cons
- Could be heavier for some players
Thematic elements
- scientific inquiry, observation, and publishing discoveries
- Beagle voyage with Darwin to study evolution
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Exploration and data gathering — Junior naturalists study animals, conduct surveys, and publish findings.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- One of our favorites. We love this game.
- Great game. Love Five Tribes.
- Patchwork is a great runale game. It never occurred to me, but that's what it is.
- Patchwork is a great dating game.
- Five Tribes is a great game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video INpQZqAzIXQ
game_review at 0:02 sentiment: negative
video_pk 13600 · mention_pk 39725
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- good introduction to basic set collection
- beautiful production and artwork
- compact 30-minute runtime
- easy to teach and light to play
- nice components that feel museum-like
Cons
- very light with minimal player interaction
- no real tension or swing in scoring
- limited longevity and replay value
- rules don't provide urgency to complete lines
- not bringing anything new compared to similar games
Thematic elements
- set collection, expedition drafting, historical scientific exploration
- Beagle voyage era, Darwinism, natural history exploration
- educational, museum-like
Comparison games
- Trekking Through History
- Feriferous
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- grid placement — place drafted tiles on your 4x4 personal board, matching symbols to score
- resource tokens and endgame scoring — manage compasses, portrait tokens, and Darwin tokens to maximize points
- row/column exhaustion and overlap — lock in endgame bonuses by completing lines and possibly overlapping duplicates to gain flags
- set collection — collect tiles of species and continents to score via end-game tokens and flags
- tile drafting — draft one of three tiles from the current Beagle-relative row/column
- tile placement — place drafted tiles on your 4x4 personal board, matching symbols to score
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this game is extremely light and simple
- it's a nice introduction to some very basic set collection methods
- there are a few little tricks you can pull off here
- the interaction in the game is minimal
- I can't recommend it
- this one's pulled off to a higher standard in a smaller box
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jxt0ddH7MVI
Dice Tower review at 0:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6594 · mention_pk 19569
Click to watch at 0:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- very popular
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- history
- science
Comparison games
- In the Footsteps of Marie Curie
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Welcome back to the Dice Tours. We take a look at another shelf in the Dice Tower Library.
- if you like games about delivering the mail, this is it
- Just a solid game of quick, snappy turns
- AIA, what a great game about shipping. This is a fantastic, terrific game.
- You like Dominion, but you want it for dice. This is your game.
- Very very popular games all them. That's why there's two of each.
- Although, frankly, you should always play with the expansion.
- I just really am loving SETI. Fantastic game.
- I do like this game. I have a soft spot for it.
- Vast, not as popular as its successor, root
- My favorite game here is The Great Museum Caper. Nope. I forgot Magical Athletes there. Magical Athlete is amazing.
- I just love Tumbling Dice.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xVP-dmrNy3E
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 25:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3910 · mention_pk 11436
Click to watch at 25:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Appealing subject matter for biology/history enthusiasts
- Compact Euro feel with approachable rules
Cons
- Darwin branding may feel overused to some players
Thematic elements
- evolution, natural history, exploration
- Darwinian era – exploration and evolution as thematic backdrop.
- card-driven Euro with thematic flavor
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Players draft action cards to influence exploration and Darwinian outcomes.
- set collection — Players collect sets of evolutionary traits or discovery cards to score.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's a Twist y'all it's a Twist.
- I am the librarian custodian of our game.
- Need some help, I can help you.
- We gotta match Creature Comforts for me too.
- Ding, ding—we're matching our creature comforts.
- The heart of the episode... we're going to talk about relationships and board games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZEmXlUxzoNs
Before You Play playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2585 · mention_pk 7646
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast, lightweight game
- casual-friendly theme
- beautiful components and insert
- multiple scoring paths
Cons
- limited player count (2 players in this version)
- potential luck factor
Thematic elements
- Darwin's theory of evolution; natural history; exploration
- Global voyage aboard HMS Beagle during Darwin's voyage, 19th-century natural history exploration
- educational, documentary, light competitive play
Comparison games
- Calico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Beagle movement and guides — Beagle moves based on tile distance; guides adjust Beagle or allow redrawing.
- end-of-game scoring via rows/columns and theories — completing lines and collecting theory tiles yields points.
- set collection / region-based scoring — tiles represent animals and researchers, scored via journal placement.
- tile drafting — players select tiles from a shared display in front of the Beagle.
- tile placement and journaling — tiles are placed into journals with bonuses and end-of-game scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a 20 to 30 minute game
- it's very fast, it feels casual to play
- the insert also holds everything nice and snug
- I definitely prefer playing with more players, three-player is better
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6T4fwVl5IY4
Our Family Plays Games game_review at 14:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 663 · mention_pk 1927
Click to watch at 14:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Solid family-friendly theme and approachable rules
- Quality components and strong educational angle
Cons
- Some players may want more depth or variability
- Theme could be more integrated into mechanics
Thematic elements
- Darwin-era taxonomy and discovery
- Historical exploration era; naturalist expedition
- educational yet approachable for families
Comparison games
- Neotopia
- Life of Amazonia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- set collection / discovery — Players gather knowledge and specimens to complete discovery objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Black History Month yes in addition to Black History Month but the thing is with MRA you know the king cake is in the New Orleans MRA colors of green yellow and purple.
- Sea Salt and Paper so I I got my hopes up okay Sea Salt and Paper so I got my hopes up.
- This is the cutest little game yes it is I love it so much we had a lot of fun with it.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11