Amalgimal Zoo

2013
BGG Average Rating
7.2
community average
Login to vote on your own rating
Players
2-4
Weight
3.25/5.00
Playtime
15 min
Age
8+

⚙️ Game Mechanics

How this game works - core systems and player actions

📂 Categories

🏢 Publishers

📖 About This Game

In Amalgimal Zoo, players create genetically-engineered ‘amalgimals’ by splicing together DNA pairs from a choice of six coloured DNA types. The game is played using 'Lab Cards', each featuring a DNA type and an action. Two of these cards are played as DNA to create an amalgimal or single cards are played to perform their actions. The object is to either collect a full set of amalgimals or attain a specific popularity score for your zoo. Amalgimals are grouped into six sets of five, based on their primary DNA type, and each bestows a popularity score upon its zoo. Certain Lab Cards can also be used to increase your zoo's popularity or reduce that of your opponents. In addition to splicing them, players can also hunt amalgimals from the wild or steal them from opponents, either through duels with their own amalgimals or using malicious Lab Card actions. Hunting and duelling are based on the amalgimals' inherent attack and defence abilities and the rolling of dice. Hunts and duels can be influenced by any player, during or outside of their turn, using Lab Cards. The game includes 30 colourful and entertaining amalgimal characters, each with special attributes that help or hinder their keeper.