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Game Info
Year
2020
Players
2-4
Age
12+
Playtime
90 min
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
Three years in the making, Oceans is a stand-alone game in the award-winning Evolution series. With over 120 works of art, 40 scenarios cards, and more than 100 unique trait cards, Oceans is the most ambitious project North Star Games has ever tackled.
Theme
Oceans depicts the boundaries between the known world near the ocean’s surface, and the mysteries lurking in Earth’s deepest unexplored region. Enter a vast, underwater cosmos: a mysterious interconnected world of sharp teeth, glowing eyes, and black ink, where your survival depends on your ability to adapt to the unknown.
The foundation of the oceanic food chain are billions of one-celled organisms called phytoplankton that capture the sun's energy through photosynthesis. Every other species in the ocean is a predator, each bigger than the next, all the way up to the dreaded Apex Predator. And even bigger than Apex Predators are enormous Whales that gently swim through the ocean scooping up everything in their path. This ecosystem mimics the known world near the surface.
But there is more if you are willing to dive deeper...
Oceans also includes a deck of 100 unique power cards called The Deep that represents the unknown. These powerful cards break the seams of the reality you've come to accept, ranging from astonishing things found in the ocean, to the fantastical Kraken or Leviathan.
Gameplay
Oceans is an interactive engine builder, where players evolve their species in a continually changing ecosystem. Players must adapt their interconnected ecosystem to survive against the inevitable march of time (Aging), as well as a multitude of predators looking for food.
During the first half of the game, players use traits from a deck of Surface cards to modify their species. With only 12 Surface traits, it’s easy to wade into your first game without being overwhelmed by new cards. These traits were chosen for their rich thematic interconnections, providing synergistic card play that mimics an oceanic ecosystem. The Surface traits bring stability to the game environment.
During the second half of the game, players can use power cards from The Deep to disrupt the stability. With over 100 unique traits in The Deep, players will slowly discover game-altering traits over the course of many games. These traits were designed to evoke wonder and disbelief - to spark your imagination as you consider the fantastic synergies that are possible in Oceans.
Additionally, there are 2 randomly chosen scenario cards that activate and deactivate at various points during the game. The scenario cards impact the basic tenets of gameplay, encouraging people to vary their play style and strategy each game.
The Evolution Series
Oceans is a stand-alone game in the Evolution series, but it's a vast departure from other games in the series. The turn structure has been simplified, the game play is much more forgiving, and the web of interconnections has increased dramatically. Whereas Evolution has the feeling of a traditional back-and-forth battle game like Magic: The Gathering, Oceans has the feel of an interactive engine builder where everything is interconnected, and where your engine must continually adapt to a changing environment.
Join the Oceans Discord community for rule questions, strategy discussions, and to get involved in future playtesting.
Featured Videos
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 20
This page: 20
Sentiment:
pos 13 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 2
Showing 1–20 of 20
Video o_9LHix3eyI
kovray Playthrough
video_pk 68798 · mention_pk 165089
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Mq2mTcBar98
Top List at 0:54 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67039 · mention_pk 162945
Click to watch at 0:54 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- team-based
- play cards with special abilities
- find cool combos
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card abilities — You're trying to play cards with special abilities.
- Combo Building — You're trying to find cool combos.
- hand management — You are trying to be the first team that discards your cards.
- team play — team-based card game Omens.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Here are my top five.
- All of that questionable thematic stuff has been removed and now you can just enjoy a great game for its mechanisms.
- If you want silliness and laughs, this is a great one.
- If you want to see my game ratings for all of the games I played in a month, including the games I did not like, then join my monthly newsletter.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dXKGMLfZERo
BoardGameGeek Top 10 List at 0:34
video_pk 66099 · mention_pk 160638
Click to watch at 0:34 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Survival in a continually changing environment
- Vast underwater cosmos
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it seems there's always another game on the shelf waiting to be discovered
- this episode is made possible in part by oceans from north star games
- You know what's even better than the idea of a lifetime spent exploring space doing so from the comfort of your own home where the potato chips are kept and that's why I joyfully wept gently for several minutes in secret where nobody else could see my shame once I discovered that this month's countdown would be starting with the economic space strategy game Master of Orion the board game
- The winner being granted the coveted title of emperor of the galactic council which is essentially just an honorary title for a glorified administrative desk job
- Now that we've conquered space which took way less time than I was anticipating let's now turn our attention towards conquering the sea because it's just sitting there being all damp and such
- Aquatica with a recent second edition from arcane wonders is a strategic but easy to learn family engine building game about underwater kingdoms
- You know I always enjoy a good bluffing game or do I perhaps I was bluffing just now you can't no I'm unknowable I barely know myself
- Vindication is a wonderful feeling like when you warn someone not to sit on wet paint but they ignore you and then immediately get eaten by a crocodile
- Every year sorcerer city gets built and rebuilt in magically new ways with blocks moving and rotating in crazy directions
- It sounds like a workers compensation insurance nightmare but that's what you get for hiring Howard Howard and Fine as your city planners
- Keith Forge's world was always in a constant state of change but now a vault containing mysterious dark amber is open causing strange and unusual transformations unlike anything seen before
- If you're anything like me then you also have a hilarious crocodile-based anecdote locked and ready to go at a moment's notice but you'd also probably fare pretty well if you ever came time to live underground
- Fallout shelter the board game a post nuclear worker placement board game for two to four players from fantasy flight games based on the hit mobile game from Bethesda softworks
- Three orders nobles civilians and religion unlike today where it's organized around media influence and high fructose corn syrup
- Typically a roll and write game is only a proper roll and right game if it's from the Roland Right region of France
- Otherwise it's a sparkling dice based activity
- And now for some lip smacking cracking action in the upcoming hidden role deduction game from Fun Tales Feed the Kraken featuring three asymmetric factions for feuding friends
- In 1871 with Canada only four years old the prime minister calls for a massive undertaking a transcontinental railway to link eastern and western provinces
- It would be a nation defining project shaping not only the economy of this young fledgling country but also his identity as the well-mannered cousin of the United States who lost a bunch of weight and finished community college
- Brazil Imperial coming from Meepo BR in 2021
- The best monarch receives a title a Brazilian emperor which is essentially just an honorary title for a glorified administrative desk job
- Losers are banished to a ship lost at sea where they inevitably go madam pledge allegiance to a kraken
- That's our list of games we wanted to make sure did not go overlooked this month
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video U56Z-FefrbU
kovray Top List at 3:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65083 · mention_pk 158686
Click to watch at 3:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Really enjoy the game
- Very cool
- So pretty
- A joy to play
- Creating different species
- Claiming a spot in the ocean hierarchy
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Ecosystem / Species
- Ocean
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ecosystem Building — Basically you are creating different species and fighting against everybody else on the board to leech out everybody else, to like claim your spot in the ocean hierarchy.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- i adore this game it's just so much fun to play
- it's actually one of the few games i feel like i can not stop playing like i always feel like i can play this game
- it looks very cozy it looks very fun and relaxing it's not it's a little bit stressful
- tyler keeps taking all your pieces like he does in every other game
- it is paladins of the west kingdom
- i really really just i just love this game
- every time we have people over or we play games tyler asks if we can play paladins
- it's not exactly easy to teach
- there's a lot of depth to the game so you have to be willing to put in the time to really learn it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video oBDHmi7lsqI
Watch It Played Rules Teach at 0:10 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 64664 · mention_pk 158161
Click to watch at 0:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- survival and adaptation in a changing ecosystem with predators and scarce food
- vast underwater cosmos, an interconnected underwater world
- evolution of species through traits and population shifts in an evolving ocean
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- aging phase — Remove tokens behind the screen; pay aging costs or risk extinction.
- draw cards phase — Draw from deep or surface decks; manage gene pools and Cambrian explosion effects.
- feeding phase — Choose to forage or attack; compute forage/attack values from icons and move tokens accordingly.
- migration — Move population tokens between locations according to a migration value on traits/cards.
- overpopulation check — If any species board is full, remove tokens to prevent overpopulation.
- playing cards phase — Play surface cards to create new species, add traits, or migrate population tokens.
- Scoring and end game — End game triggers when third ocean zone runs out; final scoring based on tokens and traits.
- setup and population tokens — Set up ocean board with reef and zones; divide population tokens among zones and allocate to players.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "two to four player game oceans published by North Star Games"
- "an ever-changing ecosystem where food is scarce and predators are lurking all around"
- "the player who manages to collect the most food wins the game"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LacAsf0mdwM
watch it played Rules Teach at 0:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 64580 · mention_pk 158048
Click to watch at 0:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- survival and evolution of species in a changing ocean
- an underwater ecosystem with reefs and ocean zones
- abstract ecological simulation with evolving species
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Aging — during the aging phase, remove population tokens from each species; if a species cannot pay aging costs, it may go extinct
- attacking — a species may attack another (including one's own); total attack value is the sum of red icons; transfer population tokens from target to attacker, with defense icons reducing losses
- Compound Scoring — final scoring involves population behind your screen, tokens on your species boards, and setup bonuses
- drawing and deep cards — draw from deep and surface decks; Cambrian explosion changes rules to allow more card play; deep cards become accessible but require costs to be used with species
- Foraging — choose a species to forage, combine its green icon values to determine how many population tokens you gain from the reef
- Migrate — play a card to move population tokens between locations by their migration value
- playing cards phase — on a turn you play a surface curve from your hand to create or modify a species, placing traits and potentially adding new species
- scoring — final scoring involves population behind your screen, tokens on your species boards, and setup bonuses
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- oceans published by northstar games who helped sponsor this video
- an ever-changing ecosystem where food is scarce and predators are lurking all around
- the secrets of the sea are waiting to be discovered
- so join me at the table and let's learn how to play oceans
- the player who manages to collect the most food wins the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6epG1UL-GZU
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 30476 · mention_pk 89702
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic integration between mechanics and ocean ecology
- High player interaction and dynamic engine-building
- Beautiful artwork and thematic presentation
- High replayability due to diverse trait cards
Cons
- Initial learning curve with many traits (roughly a dozen) to grasp
- Early cards can clog your hand until later in the game
- Complexity may overwhelm casual players on first play
Thematic elements
- Ecological balance and inter-species interactions in an adaptive ocean ecosystem
- Oceanic ecosystem spanning reef and deep-sea zones, with species that grow, feed, and migrate across environmental layers.
- Mechanistic with strong thematic integration between card-driven traits and population dynamics
Comparison games
- Evolution
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Aging and scoring — Species age to place fish behind shields; aging yields points and risks extinction.
- Attack/defense interactions — Some traits allow attacking other species; defenses mitigate or trigger consequences.
- card drafting — Players acquire trait cards that modify species behavior and interactions.
- Card drafting / trait cards — Players acquire trait cards that modify species behavior and interactions.
- Compound Scoring — Species age to place fish behind shields; aging yields points and risks extinction.
- Deck variability / high replayability — A large deck of unique cards ensures each game feels different.
- end game bonuses — Once certain conditions are met (timer/fish depletion), endgame approaches and players evaluate counts behind shields.
- Endgame trigger and population management — Once certain conditions are met (timer/fish depletion), endgame approaches and players evaluate counts behind shields.
- engine building — As cards are added to species, players build increasingly powerful engines.
- Hidden scoring via shielded fish — Points are earned by the number of fish placed behind shields at round end.
- Resource management — Fish tokens are spent to feed species and unlock abilities.
- Resource management / feeding — Fish tokens are spent to feed species and unlock abilities.
- set collection / engine-building — As cards are added to species, players build increasingly powerful engines.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I enjoyed oceans better than Evolution
- the art is beautiful and it draws you in
- it's very thematic and interactive
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IRGG_KCICOY
Board Game Coffee Discussion at 1:31:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13449 · mention_pk 39405
Click to watch at 1:31:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful art, high variability, deep strategy
Cons
- Complex for new players
Thematic elements
- Evolutionary dynamics and ecological interaction
- Oceanic ecosystem
- science-informed yet approachable
Comparison games
- Evolution
- Oceans (expansion)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck-driven interaction — Fish tokens and state boxes influence actions and scoring
- trait deck / evolving ecosystem — 11-trait deck; evolving interactions among species; cards trigger fish movement
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we just finished our first playthrough of Copenhagen the deluxe edition
- Kickstarter this fall with analog games means it's a game where you are constantly trying to meet the demands of the King
- four paths to victory
- table presence is incredible
- everyone was so welcoming and I can't wait to go back
- subscribe to our Channel
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BVXQz2BQ1x4
Getting Games Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 13124 · mention_pk 38385
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Rich, dynamic interactions among many species and trait synergies
- High variability due to trait decks, deep cards, and scenario events like Cambrian explosion
- Thematic flavor is strong, with recognizable ecological concepts (predators, cleaners, symbiosis) driving decisions
- Replayability is high due to multiple trait combos and evolving board states
Cons
- Complex rule set that can be intimidating for new players
- Endgame can swing dramatically due to population explosions and overpopulation penalties
- Balance can shift depending on deep cards and scenario cards, which may favor certain strategies in a given session
Thematic elements
- Predation, symbiosis, competition, ecological balance, and population management across ocean zones.
- Oceanic ecosystem with reef zones and three distinct ocean layers, featuring predators, cleaners, symbiotic relationships, and migration dynamics.
- Turn-by-turn narration of ecosystem interactions, with emphasis on foraging, aging, leeching, and triggering global events (Cambrian explosion).
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Aging — At the end of aging phases, population on each species decreases according to base aging, with modifiers from traits like schooling or inhospitable environment.
- Deep cards and trait swapping — Deep trait cards introduce powerful effects and can be swapped or replaced under certain conditions, adding strategic depth.
- End-game scoring behind screens — Scores come from population on the board plus population behind players’ screens; endgame triggers grant final-turns to all players.
- Epic events and mechanics shifts — Cambrian explosion and inhospitable environment cards suddenly change aging rate, foraging, and population management for all players.
- Foraging and attack interactions — Species forage to gain population; various traits affect defense, attack power, and whether attacks are allowed or amplified.
- Leeching and parasite effects — Some traits pull population from adjacent species before feeding, affecting target choices and strategic threats.
- Population zones and HIV/Reserves — Population is tracked across reef zones and ocean zones; depletion and reserve replenishment influence endgame timing and scoring.
- Symbiotic interactions — Symbiotic trait effects allow one species to gain population as a result of another species' actions, sometimes across multiple turns.
- Trait cards — Players attach trait cards to species to gain special abilities, defenses, and attack modifiers.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- they are going to forage seven times and of that is going to leave two fish left here in the reef
- this means they will gain three population from the leftmost ocean zone
- as soon as this happens our shark cleaner will activate
- the Cambrian explosion has happened aging is now a minimum of two
- we are going to finish this round and then every player is going to get one more turn
- forage seven times and we can add all seven of this population to this species
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video p2EoUiKBQHI
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 19:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12975 · mention_pk 37951
Click to watch at 19:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- ambitious thematic scope
- interesting solo-relay or campaign-potential
Cons
- not currently owned by the speakers, noted as nominee
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building / resource management — Exploration and resource management in an underwater ecosystem setting.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- diversity is extremely important especially for even our older community who may not be tech savvy
- it's the atmosphere at the table
- representation really matters
- we're the products of that student
- we want to keep their brain active and engaged; brain activity is important
- three big ones is Calico, Fort and The Crew
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vFXLv61J070
Foster the Meeple Top List at 7:21 sentiment: negative
video_pk 9179 · mention_pk 27070
Click to watch at 7:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- beautiful art in concept contexts outside tub
Cons
- ocean-themed game with materials not suited to tub conditions
Thematic elements
- marine biodiversity and exploration
- oceanic ecosystem
- educational-adventure with art emphasis
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown — unknown
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hot tub gate
- soggy tarp hot tub a fun game that's not what I asked for
- Publishers watching please put in the comments why don't they make every game hot tub proof
- stupid stupid game can't play it in a hot tub
- I hate it all
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3Mx3r3qEUAY
Getting Games Discussion at 11:50 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 6941 · mention_pk 20552
Click to watch at 11:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Not discussed in depth in vlog.
Cons
- No explicit evaluation or preference stated.
Thematic elements
- Ocean biodiversity and predator-prey dynamics
- Underwater ecosystem
- informational/educational
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown — Not discussed in transcript; no mechanics described.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm not doing great
- this is my entire income right now
- I miss doing the work I miss the people that I've worked with
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ud9gcuPFwxk
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Rules Teach at 0:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5941 · mention_pk 17607
Click to watch at 0:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong thematic integration with components and terminology
- Clear visual representation of oceanic elements
- Rules are approachable despite thematic depth for many players
Cons
- Unfamiliar terminology can hinder early learning
- Rulebook may require supplementary guidance to avoid misinterpretation
Thematic elements
- Evolution and ecology of ocean life
- Oceanic ecosystem context; marine environment
- Educational yet thematic with vivid sea life imagery
Comparison games
- Evolution
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Players select cards or actions from a row to shape their turn and strategy.
- Resource management — Tokens represent population or resources that influence scoring and strategic choices.
- resource/population management — Tokens represent population or resources that influence scoring and strategic choices.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think it walks a very fine line between getting its theme across and using unfamiliar terminology
- these tokens are called population tokens
- this box here is called the reef
- the cards refer to population
- why do they need to tell us that as if we would do anything
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Nu-vezJCHUE
Board Game Coffee Discussion at 15:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4044 · mention_pk 11823
Click to watch at 15:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- stunning art
- deep strategic options
Cons
- setup can be lengthy
Thematic elements
- underwater civilizational development
- oceanic world with environmental and civilizational themes
- beautiful art; heavy theme
Comparison games
- Mosaic
- Terraforming Mars
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / project completion — building projects and advancing civilization for points
- Resource management — players manage resources to expand their oceans civilization
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we are going to give away board games to you
- this is such a great game
- stronghold games thank you so much for supplying this
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video c2EZMOtG6Wo
3 Minute Board Games Review at 2:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2901 · mention_pk 8483
Click to watch at 2:42 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep card system with unique, paradigm-shifting Deep cards
- Strong alignment between theme of competitive evolution and practical scoring decisions
- Solid two-to-four player experience with engaging player interaction and engine-building
Cons
- Fiddly fish management can be annoying; the reef/ocean boards can feel like finger traps
- Can be brutal and less suitable for casual family game nights; better suited for mature gamers
Thematic elements
- Evolution, adaptation, predator-prey dynamics, and trait-driven competition
- Ancient oceans, evolving ecosystems with reef and open-ocean zones
- Abstract simulation of natural selection and trait interaction to maximize points
Comparison games
- Evolution
- Darwin's Choice
- Origin of Species
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- board interaction and drift — Reef and ocean sections drive placement, fish movement, and strategic blocking of opponents.
- card drafting — Players draft and attach trait cards to evolving species on sideboards; manage multiple color-coded traits (green for foraging, red for attack, yellow for defense, blue for food gain).
- card management / trait drafting — Players draft and attach trait cards to evolving species on sideboards; manage multiple color-coded traits (green for foraging, red for attack, yellow for defense, blue for food gain).
- engine building — Traits interact to form an evolving ecosystem engine that affects feeding, aging, and scoring paths.
- population management and aging — Species age along tracks; aging affects population and can lead to death if population hits zero.
- Resource management — Fish tokens are gained and spent to feed species; feeding decisions influence population and survival.
- resource management and feeding — Fish tokens are gained and spent to feed species; feeding decisions influence population and survival.
- scenario cards and mid‑game rule shifts — Blue constant-effect and purple-trigger scenario cards shape ongoing conditions; Cambrian explosion mid‑game changes core rules.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- oceans is a sequel to a game called Evolution and that's exactly what the game is about, Evolution
- The best thing about this game is the Deep cards everyone is unique and Paradigm shifting
- it's a little nasty in places for family game night and would definitely recommend it for mature Gamers
- low-key brutal as heck, people can and will eat your species off the board if you let them, so be prepared to evolve some thick skin if you play it
- oceans: the real intelligent design
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VwVs5egZsM4
Adam in Wales - Board Game Design Top List at 0:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2289 · mention_pk 6647
Click to watch at 0:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive_with_reservations
Pros
- fantastic deep game with lifestyle potential
- beautiful artwork and production
- stunning wooden and cardboard tokens
- many card combinations for variety
- excellent component quality
- evolution game series quality maintained
Cons
- overwhelming for casual players
- marine trait names lack imagination compared to land animals
- difficult to visualize undersea creatures
- fish tokens represent both food and population confusingly
- better as 3-4 player game, not 2-player
- themes less evocative than other Evolution games
Thematic elements
- evolution
- species_adaptation
- marine_ecosystem
- predator_prey_dynamics
Comparison games
- Evolution
- Evolution Climate
- Evolution The Beginning
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control
- area_control
- attack_and_defense
- card drafting
- card_drafting
- Combat: Damage Based
- engine building
- engine_building
- trait_building
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- i'm adam porter and this is my board gaming vlog and it's my annual top 10 board games of the year
- this is not an authoritative list of the best games of the year or anything like that it is just the 10 games that i've enjoyed the most
- the game is ultimately endlessly replayable even though there's only something like nine different final solutions
- i find the game thoroughly entertaining
- this is exactly the sort of game i wish i could design something that simple that streamlined that looks that beautiful
- this game pretty much got us through lockdown
- it's gone immediately right to the top as far as my wife is concerned this is one of her favorite games of all time
- i'm really hoping for a better 2021
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6ZKBYJGSe3Q
3 Minute Board Games Top List at 8:28 sentiment: negative
video_pk 2083 · mention_pk 6049
Click to watch at 8:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- Rich thematic potential and depth when fully explored
Cons
- Difficult for new players
- Compared unfavorably to other evolution games
Thematic elements
- biological progression and adaptation
- evolutionary life in an oceanic ecosystem
- educational yet abstract
Comparison games
- Evolution: Oceans
- Darwin's Choice
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — control of ecological spaces contributes to scoring
- engine-building — evolution-themed deck/kit to gain abilities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- 2020 was the year that i finally decided i don't like legacy games
- if you like discovering new games and if you like playing a new game every week that's fantastic
- the experience for paradise lost was ... terrible
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3p6Svet1zBE
Getting Games Discussion at 20:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1713 · mention_pk 4961
Click to watch at 20:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging thematic setting with solid mechanics
Cons
- Mechanics can be complex for new players
Thematic elements
- science-themed exploration and expansion
- Oceanic exploration and ecosystem management
- tableau/hand-management for engine-building
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card drafting / hand-management — Selecting and utilizing cards to optimize turns.
- engine-building — Build up a system of actions and combos to maximize scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's almost like you're playing a video game
- nothing was automated and it was a real chore moving every single coin back and forth
- TableTopia has seen a lot of play for me because of the variety
- John gets games is 100% of my income
- it's really fun to hang out with a bunch of friends and laugh together
- sheltering in place has shifted how we game and how we connect with people
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 74gyb2qf4RE
Good Time Society Playthrough sentiment: positive
video_pk 900 · mention_pk 2575
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Complex strategic gameplay
- Interesting ecosystem mechanics
- Multiple ways to develop species
Cons
- Complex rules
- Long gameplay
- Can be challenging to understand
Thematic elements
- Evolution and survival of marine species
- Marine ecosystem
- Competitive ecosystem simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Controlling different ocean zones
- Resource management — Collecting and managing population tokens
- Species Development — Players create and evolve marine species
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Peace for the ocean!
- Survival of the fittest
- We're all just trying to survive in the ecosystem
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KF5RDKms7vk
Beyond Solitaire Interview at 5:17 sentiment: positive
video_pk 541 · mention_pk 1620
Click to watch at 5:17 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Used as a primary example of early solo mode design exploration
- Demonstrates the process of testing and validating a solo design
- Illustrates collaboration with mentors and publishers
Cons
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Wakon (PX Premiere)
- Mythic Mischief
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- solo gamers are inherently selfish and I don't mean that in a bad way because I'm saying this about myself but I always want it to be my turn
- the critique is a way of sharing love and appreciation with another person you want them to succeed
- ideas are cheap, it's about execution
- a good designer can take a bad idea and make a good game; a bad designer cannot take a bad idea and make a good game
- the duality of myself between the confidence and the ego and the humility
- it's not here to tear down egos but to help others succeed
- I want it to always be my turn
- being visible is an incredibly important thing for people in this industry
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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