- BGG rank
- BGG #118
- BGG rating
- 7.9
The Search for Planet X
- 1–4 players
- 60–75 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,230
- BGG rating
- 7.8
The Search for Lost Species
2023
Rules assistance for The Search for Lost Species
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 60–75 min
- 13+
- Complexity 3.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for The Search for Lost Species
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Search for Lost Species is a board game released in 2023 for 1–4 players, 60–75 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Ben Rosset and Matthew O'Malley and its main mechanics are Deduction, Hexagon Grid, and Solo / Solitaire Game.
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About the game
Thousands of plants and animals have been discovered but haven't been seen for decades and could be on the brink of extinction. In order to save these species, we must first find them again. The Search for Lost Species is a game about this real-world search. You are scientists on an expedition to find one of those lost species, focusing on those in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The organization Re:wild has compiled a list of lost species around the world. They engage in expeditions with numerous partners to find these Lost Species, and encourage others to conduct their own expeditions to rediscover these amazing Lost Species. In this deduction game, you'll work to locate these lost species and put them back on the map! The game play changes from The Search for Planet X include: Players use a combination of deduction and movement to narrow down the possible habitats of the lost species. Players can use a special expedition action to search a specific habitat for a lost species. Incorporates cards that make the game asymmetric and provide more variability. Features: Report your sightings through the free app to determine if they are confirmed. Double-sided board provides two different island maps to explore. 6 different Lost Species to find! —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- Gémklub
- Maldito Games
- Origames
- Renegade Game Studios
- TLAMA games
- Schwerkraft-Verlag
Questions and answers
The Search for Lost Species supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for The Search for Lost Species is 60–75 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.
The catalogue lists The Search for Lost Species for ages 13 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
The Search for Lost Species has a complexity rating of 3.0 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.
The Search for Lost Species belongs to these categories: Animals, Deduction, and Puzzle. Its main mechanics are Deduction, Hexagon Grid, 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 The Search for Lost Species are: Ben Rosset and Matthew O'Malley. 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 The Search for Lost Species 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.