Game Info
- Game Title: Nature
- Publisher: North Star Games
- Designer: Dominic Crapuchette
- Release Date: Kickstarter launch on 24 September
- Player Count: 1 – 4
- Recommended Age: 10+
- Playtime: 30 to 45 minutes
- Weight: 2.50
- Mechanics: Card Drafting, Variable player powers, modular expansions
- Theme: Evolution, Ecosystems, Survival
Meeple Scoreboard Overview
🏆 Overall Meeple Score
21 Meeples (Gold Badge)
Nature is a worthy successor to Evolution, with refined mechanics, high player interaction, exceptional component quality, and stunning artwork. It promises to deliver both strategic depth and replayability, ensuring it will evolve into a fan favorite.
⚙️ Gameplay Mechanics
Rating: 4 Meeples
The mechanics in Nature offer a well-crafted blend of strategy and accessibility. Players use cards to grow and adapt their species, adding depth to the competition for food and survival. With modular expansions and varied strategic choices, Nature introduces innovative elements while building on the success of Evolution and Oceans. The card-driven system, combined with species traits and competition mechanics, keeps gameplay engaging and balanced, with multiple paths to victory.
👥 Player Interaction
Rating: 4 Meeples
Interaction in Nature is dynamic, with meaningful competition for resources and strategic decision-making. Players must anticipate their opponents’ moves, especially during simultaneous trait reveals, making the game both competitive and interactive. Predation and defense mechanics further deepen the interaction between players, creating intense competition and strategic alliances.
🎨 Artwork and Theme Integration
Rating: 4 Meeples
The artwork by Catherine Hamilton is exceptional, bringing the game’s nature theme vividly to life. The wooden tokens representing species are a great touch, seamlessly integrating with gameplay. Each module, from Rainforest to Jurassic, adds thematic depth, and the visual style enhances the overall experience without overshadowing the core mechanics.
🎲 Component Quality
Rating: 5 Meeples
The components in Nature are top-tier, featuring stackable wooden tokens that add both visual appeal and functional clarity. The modular expansions and the quality of the cards ensure a premium experience. North Star Games has also delivered on production values, with high-quality materials designed to last through many playthroughs.
📖 Rulebook Clarity
Rating: 4 Meeples
The rulebook for Nature is well-organized and clear, with detailed explanations of how each module integrates into the game. While the game has modular expansions, the core rules remain intuitive and are supported by helpful diagrams and examples. Minor clarifications may be needed for specific modules, but overall, it facilitates smooth gameplay.
ℹ️ Nature high quality prototype was provided to me for free of charge to give an impartial & honest preview.
Meeple Metrics
Is this game for you?
Abstract to Thematic
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️ 08/10
Nature is very thematic, with strong integration of its evolutionary concepts.
Tactical to Strategic
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️▫️07/10
Nature involves long-term planning with evolving species and adapting to opponents’ strategies.
Simple to Complex
▫️▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️05/10
Nature offers a good mix of accessible rules and moderate complexity with its traits and species mechanics
Luck to Skill
▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️04/10
The luck of card draws has some impact, but players’ choices and adaptability also play a significant role.
Peaceful to Conflict
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️▫️ 07/10
Nature has competitive elements where species can prey on each other, leading to direct conflict.
Solitaire to Interactive
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️🔲▫️▫️▫️ 07/10
Players need to interact and adapt to the evolving strategies and traits of other players.
