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In Primordial Soup each player controls a species of primitive "amoeboid" organisms. Together these species form an ecosystem where each feeds on the excreta of the others. To win a player must guide the evolution of their species to increase their population and the sophistication of their genes.
Each round consists of various phases. Firstly each organism must move (either by drifting or under its own power) and then feed. Then the environment undergoes a random change which changes the direction of drift and may force some organisms to give up genes. Then the species may buy new genes, and then may reproduce. At this point some organisms will die and finally each species is scored. This is repeated until either a species gets at least 42 points or the environment cards are exhausted.
The possible genes include genes for enhanced control of movement, more efficient metabolism, more efficient reproduction, attack and defence.
Expanded by:
Primordial Soup: Freshly Spiced
- Highest rated by Board Game Geek users
- Intriguing box art
- Both hosts are hooked
- Lots of different genes allowing for variety of combinations
- development of amibas
- soup
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- acquiring genes — Players control a tribe of amibas and acquire genes to influence development.
- cell division — Genes can be acquired to improve abilities like cell division.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- hi everybody welcome back to watch it played
- my name is Rodney Smith and this is Luke Smith
- Belfort by Tasty Minstrel Games
- Luke this is one that you've been quite enjoying haven't you
- we do a full review of Village
- we talk about a lot of different things we do a full review of Village
- also some people are probably going to ask me you're doing Belfort next I thought we did a deciders vote for descent too
- Fantasy Flight Games just released an updated FAQ for Descent 2
- Rodney roughly one year ago I donated a game and made a promise
- the game was City of Thieves
- Life Death poop poop
- Primordial Soup
- highest rated by Board Game Geek users
- in this game you control a tribe of amibas and you have to acquire genes and influence the development of your amibas
- the game comes with 20 different genes allowing you for a variety of different combinations
- the player with the most successful species resigns in the soup
- Daniel I've got to say you really surprised us with this one and both of us are hooked just by the box art alone
- thanks for the chocolate
- till the next episode thanks for watching
References (from this video)
- Fun, accessible party-style gameplay with a unique theme
- Older design; potential clunkiness for modern tastes
- competition for resources and growth
- microbial/oceanic evolution with amoebas
- silly and kinetic evolution theme
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area transaction with cubes and amoebas — Players move amoebas to eat food and other players' cubes.
- growth/pooping mechanic (color expansion) — Players generate new cubes and color blocks as they evolve.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this was the game that put cooperative games on the map because I played this I played Lord of the Rings from Knizia, but this was the game that did it and also added that traitor aspect which was so interesting.
- I really enjoyed playing it.
- the cleanest version of Carcassonne I think
- Mystery of the Abbey is fantastic.
- It's a game of pure logic until it's not.