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- BGG #1,187
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- 7.2
Canopy
- 1–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,872
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Pocket Galapagos
2020
Rules assistance for Pocket Galapagos
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1 player
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Pocket Galapagos
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pocket Galapagos is a board game released in 2020 for 1 player and 30–45 minutes per game. It was designed by John Clowdus and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Push Your Luck, and Solo / Solitaire Game.
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About the game
While the oceans teem with endemic life, the terrestrial creatures of the Galapagos are threatened by invasive species. In Pocket Galapagos, you will manage the indigenous animals of a lone island in the chain known for its ecological diversity, while minimizing the effects of threats caused by new species. Bolster the populations of land and sea using multi-use cards, potential combos, and a bit of press your luck in this solo player card game. The front of each card features one of three endemic populations (Rice Rat, Carpenter Ant, or Giant Ground Finch) as well as one of nine Aquatic Species. The back of each card features a Rat, Bird, or Ant, as well as an Invasive Effect. Each turn, the player reveals five cards from the deck. Two cards are played to The Ocean to increase populations and gain abilities (with clever card play allowing for multiple actions and effects based on the cards chosen and their order of play). While two cards are then flipped and played to either the Island Biome or Dominant Species (which have limited capacity) or to the Invasive Species. Any remaining cards are discarded for Invasive Effects. Players score points for the cards they play, depending on how they're played, and if they make it to the 10th turn, they may win. However, the player loses the game at the end of any turn in which two or more populations are at zero and/or there are three or more of the same species in the Invasive Species. -description from designer
Designers
Publishers
- Small Box Games
Questions and answers
Pocket Galapagos supports 1 player according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Pocket Galapagos is 30–45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
Pocket Galapagos has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Pocket Galapagos belongs to these categories: Card Game and Animals. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Push Your Luck, and Solo / Solitaire Game. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Pocket Galapagos are: John Clowdus. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Pocket Galapagos as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.