Game summary
👥 A game for 2 to 4 players
⏳ Play time is around 20 – 30 minutes
🏢 Publisher is Sorry We Are French
Introduction
Hop aboard the Beagle and join Darwin on an adventurous journey around the world. Spot exotic animals, collect crazy theories and score big points with your scientific discoveries. In the Footsteps of Darwin is all about choosing smartly, planning well and having a nose for discovery.
Before we go exploring, let’s set up the game.
Place the Journey board in the center of the table. This is the central game board on which the Beagle follows its route. Also set out the Darwin token, which determines who the starting player is.
Shuffle all the animal and character tiles well and form a pile with them. For each player, take 12 tiles from the box and place them next to the game board, then draw 9 more tiles from the box and place these tiles face up on the game board. These tiles form the supply from which players can choose, during the game this is replenished each time so that there are always 9 tiles. After this, place the Beagle on the starting spot on the game board.
Each player receives a personal notebook, their own player board, on which they will keep track of their discoveries. This player board has space for nineteen tiles, divided into rows and columns. Of which 16 spots for animals and 3 spots character tiles. In addition, each player receives a guide token.
Shuffle the theory tiles and place them as a closed stack next to the board and randomly give each player 1 tile. Also place the remaining tiles, publication tiles, guide tiles and bowl tokens on the game board.
The player who may begin receives the Darwin game token, after this we are ready to go on a voyage of discovery!
Let’s get it on the table
A game consists of a series of turns in which players take turns choosing tiles and adding them to their personal notebook. In total, the game lasts 12 turns per player, spread over several rounds.
On your turn, you perform the following steps:
1. Choose a tile from the selection
You may only choose a tile that is on the same row or column as the Beagle. These can be animals or characters, you choose one of these tiles and after this you place it in your notebook. The tiles can contain a number of things;
- Victory points at the end of the game;
- Chart; these animals are worth vp points at the end of the game, linked to the number of compasses you have.
- Survey; with this you get a compass and place it directly into your notebook
- Hire a guide; take any guide token and place it on 1 of the 2 fields for guides.
- Emblematic; take the Darwin token from the player who owns it and place it in front of you. At the end of the game it is worth 2 points.
Place the tile inside your notebook
You place the chosen tile on a free spot in your personal grid of 4 rows by 4 columns. You try to make clever combinations here and you must place the tile on the type of animal and ecosystem (America, Africa, Asia or Oceania).
If you place the tile on another tile, i.e. the same type of animal and ecosystem. Then you receive a Theory tile, any bonus points or other points are forfeited. Choose one of the 3 open Theory tiles or one from the stack.
Have you completed a row or column? Then you receive a publication tile that gives you points at the end of the game. Take a publication tile from the board and place it in the top left corner of your notebook.
2. Move the Beagle
After your turn, move the Beagle the number of steps associated with the difference between the tile (you just took) and Beagle.
After this, complete the supply by taking a tile from the stack on and placing it on the empty spot.
Theory tiles
During the game you can collect theory tiles. These give bonus points based on how you filled in your notebook. For example, some theories require certain species or locations in specific spots.
Guide tokens
A Guide token can be used one of the following 2 actions;
– Move the Beagle 1 step forward or 1 step back, then play your turn as usual.
– Remove the 3 open tiles in the Beagle’s row or column and replace them with 3 new tiles. Place the other tiles at the bottom of the draw pile.
The game ends
Once all players have collected 12 tiles, which is when the last tile is taken from the draw pile and it is empty, the game ends.
Then follows the final tally, where you score points for:
– Discoveries; visible points of discovered animals
– Chart; multiply the number of compasses by the number of visible chart icons on your tiles
– Publications; 5 points per publication tile
– Theories; score points per theory tile, if you meet the condition
– 2 points if you own the Darwin tile.
The player with the most points wins and is crowned the most prestigious researcher!
Final Conclusion & rating
Weight: 2.00/ 5
Replayability: 7
Our rating: 7 out of 10 dices
In the Footsteps of Darwin is a fun and thematic family game in which you follow Darwin’s route as an explorer. The game contains simple rules but is surprisingly tactical and you are constantly puzzling in your notebook. The tricky part is that you only have 12 turns in which you want to do as much as possible, so you will have to pay close attention to what and where you want and can score. The game features beautiful illustrations and an atmospheric design each turn feels like a step in a real scientific expedition.
The game is quickly explained and ideal for both beginning and advanced players who love collecting, combining and making smart choices. The amount of tiles and different theory tiles make for considerable replayability in the process. Although direct interaction between players is limited and the game may feel a bit light for many players. Family players, on the other hand, will enjoy the game immensely and will return to the table regularly.
Darwin is perfect for those who enjoy puzzling, collecting and thematic games with a slight educational undertone. It is highly recommended whether you are playing with children or with fellow players who want to travel after Darwin.
Previously, we had the pleasure of reviewing In the Footsteps of Marie Curie and in that review we were very curious to see if there is any difference in the two games. After playing both games we can honestly say that both games are very different from each other, Marie Curie dives even more into history and has a bit more rules, for real family players both games will be suitable but we would rather recommend In the Footsteps of Darwin. This one just plays away very easily, even with kids!
Thanks to Sorry we are French for this review copy and the opportunity to write about it.
