Today I want to take a look at a beautiful new game that has been hitting our table and uses a classic game component in a fun new way: dominos! Let’s see what Vivarium brings to the table.
Vivarium is published by Studio H and is designed by Frederic Vuagnat with art from Satoshi Matsuura. It is playable in 30 mins for 2-4 players.
Overview:
You are one of many science-focused individuals exploring the underground cavern that was discovered to contain abundant unique life never before seen on on our planet. It’s time to take on the mission to identify these new species and make advances for science!
Gameplay:
To play, the gameboard is set in the middle of the table with 4 rows of cards added to it. These will be creature, equipment and contract cards. Players begin with contract cards, one gems and dominos based on player count. With all 4 players, all the dominoes are in play. Each player takes 2 at random and the other single remaining one goes in the middle of the table.
On a player’s turn they begin by swapping one of their two dominoes with the middle one on the table. Players then take a card from a row and column that matches one of the numbers on their two dominoes. If you cannot or do not want a card you can take two gems. Cards that are taken are left empty in the rows and columns, and this continues until all players have had two turns. At the end of that second turn for each player the round ends. At the end of the round the first player marker rotates and each of the empty spots are filled on the board with their appropriate card type. This continues for seven rounds.
Gems will give you points at the end of the game or can be spent to increase or decrease a value on a domino by one for each gem spent.
Priority tokens are displayed each round and indicate the priority bonus for the round. It shows which cards will get a bonus this round in gems and extra victory points at the end of the round. You can see the current one along with the one for the next round so you can make plans moving forward.
At the end of the game players will earn victory points for the creatures they have identified, the gems they still have and priority tokens in their possession. Taken contracts are collected and count based on what you have collected in creatures and their details. The player with the most points wins!
Impressions:
Vivarium is a solid set collection game that uses dominoes in a way that is unique for me in gameplay. I like the choice of building your cards full of creatures and equipment to score the contracts but having to choose in a tight economy based on the domino you get. Having to switch one out each round can make it a challenge to get exactly what you want but never so challenging that there are no options or too many options that you end up with analysis paralysis. The game moves at a comfortable pace that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
I played this at all players counts and found that it is just as smooth in all areas. The main concern with more players is that it does make it harder to plan out your picks when there are three players ahead of you in turn order. But there are good options available and you don’t feel too limited.
The art is in particular one of my favorite parts of this game. The creatures are fun and creative and really pop off the board when you play this one. I think that on appearance alone people will really enjoy this one.
Overall I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys set collection games and want to have a tight, fun game that plays in 30 mins. The domino selection adds a challenge that makes it harder but not impossible to make choices and gives the game the little extra it needs. Vivarium is a gem of a game and one you need to get to the table at your next game night!
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