Like other games in the series, Oceans challenges players to guide the evolution of their animal species through time, trying to maximize their fitness for the game’s environment by assigning them adaptive traits. The predators and prey create a network of species, forming a unique ecosystem in each game as natural selection takes its course.
Oceans moves the setting of the game into the water, with aquatic animals and traits. The principle food source is now plankton, and animals can be given traits like “Tentacled” or “Inking” to reflect the new environment. The trait cards and other components are illustrated by nature artist Catherine Hamilton, whose watercolors have contributed to other games in the series.
This version of the game stands completely on its own, and features a number of design changes intended to make the rules simpler and easier to learn and make gameplay more intuitive. In addition, the game includes “The Deep,” a set of trait cards inspired by the creatures that live in the very deepest part of the ocean, as well as more fantastical creatures like the Leviathan and Hydra. The Deep cards will feature artwork from a number of artists.
North Star Games is funding the production of Oceans with a Kickstarter campaign that has attracted $104,927 in pledges from 1,544 backers as of this writing (an average of $67.96 per backer). The campaign is also offering a limited-run Deluxe Edition that includes upgraded acrylic fish tokens, cloth bags to hold the tokens, and custom card sleeves. The Deluxe Edition is MSRP $84.99, and will not be reprinted. Both versions are available to retailers who back the Kickstarter campaign, as are any Kickstarter exclusive add-ons. In addition, any retailer that backs the campaign will receive the game two to four weeks before the street date. Backer fulfillment is scheduled for September, with release into the trade to follow.
Last month, North Star released Evolution: The Video Game (see “‘Evolution: The Video Game’ Launches”).
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