Oceans*

Oceans is a stand-alone game in the acclaimed Evolution game series, developed over three years and representing the most ambitious project by North Star Games. This game delves into the rich and mysterious world of the ocean's ecosystem, combining scientific accuracy with imaginative gameplay. With its stunning artwork, a multitude of scenarios, and a vast array of unique trait cards, Oceans offers a deep and engaging experience in underwater evolution and survival.

Theme and Setting

• Underwater Cosmos Exploration: Dive into a world of marine life, ranging from the surface's known realms to Earth's unexplored depths.
• Ecosystem and Predatory Chain: Simulates the oceanic food chain, from phytoplankton to apex predators and enormous whales.
• The Known and The Unknown: Juxtaposes familiar surface ocean life with mysterious and powerful deep-sea creatures.

Gameplay Overview

• Interactive Engine Builder: Players evolve species in a dynamic ecosystem, needing to adapt to survive.
• Two Phases of Play: Starts with the simpler 'Surface' deck before introducing the complex and fantastical 'Deep' deck.
• Species Evolution and Adaptation: Customize species with traits to survive aging, predators, and environmental changes.

Game Components

• The Deep Deck: Over 100 unique power cards introducing game-altering traits, from realistic to mythical creatures like the Kraken.
• Surface Traits: A set of 12 traits for initial gameplay, offering synergistic and thematic interactions.
• Scenario Cards: Randomly chosen cards that change gameplay dynamics, encouraging varied strategies.

The Evolution Series Connection

• Part of Evolution Series: While a stand-alone game, Oceans shares the series' theme but with significant differences in gameplay.
• Simplified and More Forgiving Gameplay: Easier to learn and play compared to other games in the series.
• Increased Interconnections: A complex web of interactions among species, traits, and the environment.

Community and Engagement

• Oceans Discord Community: A platform for rules questions, strategy discussions, and community engagement.
• Future Playtesting Opportunities: Join the community for a chance to contribute to future game developments.

Conclusion

Oceans is a beautifully crafted game that offers a unique blend of educational content and strategic gameplay. It's perfect for players who enjoy games that are not only challenging and interactive but also rich in theme and story. Whether you are a fan of the Evolution series or new to this type of game, Oceans provides an immersive experience that captures the wonder and complexity of marine life and the thrill of evolutionary survival.