How to Play the Board Game Life of the Amazonia

How to Play the Board Game Life of the Amazonia #

Life of the Amazonia is a strategy-heavy, thematic board game where players compete to restore the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Combining elements of bag-building, tile placement, and strategic scoring, this game rewards thoughtful planning, resource management, and tactical adaptability. While the competitive multiplayer mode shines, the solo mode offers a deep and challenging experience, allowing players to hone their strategies against a virtual opponent, Black Comet.

This detailed guide covers the main gameplay mechanics, advanced strategies, and a comprehensive explanation of the solo mode.

Objective of the Game #

The goal in Life of the Amazonia is to achieve the highest Environmental Score by the end of the game. Players earn points by:

  • Expanding their jungle with strategically placed terrain tiles.
  • Introducing animals, planting trees, and growing aquatic flowers in optimal arrangements.
  • Upgrading their resource bag to perform efficient actions.
  • Acquiring nature cards to maximize scoring opportunities.

In multiplayer mode, the player with the highest Environmental Score wins. In solo mode, your score is compared against predefined targets, and your virtual opponent creates additional obstacles.

Game Components and Setup #

Understanding the components is crucial to mastering the game:

Key Components #

  1. Terrain Tiles: Represent the three types of habitats (forest, river, marsh). Each tile is divided into seven hexes, which serve as placement zones for animals, trees, and aquatic flowers.
  2. Animal Cards and Meeples: Base and unique animal cards determine scoring conditions, while meeples represent the physical placement of animals in your jungle.
  3. Resource Tokens: Currency, Leaf, Water, and Fruit tokens power all actions in the game. Tokens range from 1 to 4 in value, with higher-value tokens being more efficient.
  4. Nature Cards: Scenery cards offer endgame scoring bonuses, while Insect cards provide immediate, one-time effects.
  5. Waterfall of Life: Tracks your progress in four critical areas—terrain, trees, flowers, and resource storage. Advancing on these tracks provides bonuses and endgame points.
  6. Seeds: Flexible, one-time-use resources that can substitute for any token.

Setup for Multiplayer #

  1. Place the Waterfall of Life centrally.
  2. Set up the Token Vaults, Terrain Tile Deck, and Nature Card Decks.
  3. Shuffle and distribute Unique Animal Cards (each player chooses one).
  4. Assign each player a starting terrain tile, resource bag, and player markers.
  5. Create pools for drafting:
    • 3 face-up terrain tiles.
    • 3 face-up insect cards.

Gameplay Overview #

Each round is divided into two phases:

1. Action Phase #

Players take turns performing actions until they cannot or choose not to continue. Available actions include:

  • Purchase Resource Tokens: Pay currency tokens to acquire higher-value tokens, improving future turns.
  • Place Terrain Tiles: Expand your jungle by selecting and positioning terrain tiles. Each new tile must connect to at least two hexes of an existing tile.
  • Place Animals: Use resources to add animals to your jungle. Placement rules and scoring vary by species.
  • Plant Trees and Flowers: Trees and aquatic flowers provide base points and synergize with animals and nature cards.
  • Buy Nature Cards: Choose from Scenery (endgame points) or Insect (instant effects) cards.
  • Expand Storage: Improve your ability to retain unused tokens between turns.
  • Purchase Bonuses: Gain unique advantages, such as relocating animals or earning seeds.

2. Clean-up Phase #

  1. Store unused tokens based on your storage track limit.
  2. Discard excess tokens to your Discard Pile Boat.
  3. Draw 5 new tokens from your bag to prepare for the next round.

Scoring and Endgame #

The game ends when 5 of the 8 base animal cards are depleted. Players calculate their final Environmental Score based on:

  1. Animal Placement: Each species scores differently based on its unique card conditions.
  2. Nature Cards: Scenery cards provide bonus points for meeting specific criteria.
  3. Track Positions: Points are awarded based on your standing on the Terrain Tile, Tree, and Aquatic Flower tracks.
  4. Unused Seeds: 1 point per seed remaining.
  5. Endgame Bonus: The player who triggers the endgame earns 5 bonus points.

Solo Mode: Facing Black Comet #

In the solo mode of Life of the Amazonia, players compete against Black Comet, a virtual opponent that simulates competitive pressure by restricting resources, claiming bonuses, and creating obstacles. The mode offers nine different scenarios, each with distinct rules, objectives, and scoring conditions.

Setup for Solo Mode #

  1. Game Setup: Set up the game as if for two players. Assign Black Comet a resource bag and player markers for the Tree and Flower tracks on the Waterfall of Life.
  2. Choose a Scenario: Select one of the nine scenarios from the rulebook. Each scenario dictates the goals and may modify the starting setup.
  3. Automa Bag: Fill Black Comet’s Automa Bag with 8 Automa Tokens, which drive its actions during the game.
  4. Automa Card: Place the Black Comet Automa Card on the table to track its progress and bonuses.

Solo Gameplay Adjustments #

  1. Black Comet’s Turn:

    • At the end of each round, draw an Automa Token and resolve its effects:
      • Animal Removal: Remove a specific number of animal meeples from the supply, limiting your options.
      • Track Advancement: Move Black Comet’s marker along the Tree or Flower track, blocking bonuses and earning points.
      • Nature Card Removal: Discard specific cards from the pool, reshuffling the deck when needed.

  2. Player’s Turn: Play as normal, focusing on building your jungle, earning Environmental Points, and countering Black Comet’s influence.

  3. Endgame and Scoring:

    • The game ends when the Automa Card reaches its final space or 5 base animal cards are depleted.
    • Your final score is compared to Black Comet’s Tree and Flower track points and the target score defined by the scenario.

Solo Mode Scenarios #

Each scenario in Life of the Amazonia introduces unique twists to the solo gameplay, enhancing the challenge and replayability. Below is an in-depth look at each scenario, including its objectives, special rules, and strategies:

1. First Mission #

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Objective: Score as high as possible without any additional rules or restrictions.
  • Setup Changes: None.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 70 | Silver: 100 | Gold: 140

2. Tiny Friends #

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Objective: Build a jungle that benefits from abundant insect resources.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Draw 3 insect cards at the start of the game. Discard cards costing 5+ and draw replacements until you have a hand of 4 insect cards.
    • Insect cards can be played for free once per turn.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 90 | Silver: 120 | Gold: 160

3. Primeval Forest #

  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Objective: Create a jungle with harmonious animal and plant placement.
  • Setup Changes: Start with 3 free scenery cards. For each card costing 6 or less, gain 1 seed.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 90 | Silver: 120 | Gold: 160

4. Best Scene #

  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Objective: Design a jungle that emphasizes beautiful landscapes and diverse habitats.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Begin with 5 unique animals instead of 2, and select 2 to use.
    • Gain all applicable starting seeds.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 100 | Silver: 130 | Gold: 180

5. Stranded Animals #

  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Objective: Provide habitats for animals displaced by climate change.
  • Setup Changes: None.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 90 | Silver: 120 | Gold: 160

6. Close Connection #

  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Objective: Foster strong interactions between organisms in your jungle.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Animals must always be placed adjacent to each other.
    • Start with a Jaguar meeple placed on your initial terrain tile.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 80 | Silver: 110 | Gold: 160

7. Overabundance #

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Objective: Avoid ecological imbalance caused by overpopulating specific species.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Lose 5 points for each identical life form adjacent to another of its kind.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 70 | Silver: 100 | Gold: 140

8. Abandoned Pasture #

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Objective: Restore a long-neglected area while contending with limited resources.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Start with your marker on the 3rd space of the Terrain Tile Track.
    • Score 3 points for each animal placed on the jungle’s edge.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 80 | Silver: 110 | Gold: 150

9. Exhausted Budget #

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Objective: Achieve high biodiversity with restricted resources.
  • Setup Changes:
    • Deduct 1 point for each unoccupied hex in your jungle.
  • Target Scores: Bronze: 60 | Silver: 90 | Gold: 130

Advanced Tips for Solo Play #

  1. Adapt to Scenarios: Each scenario introduces unique rules and challenges. Tailor your strategy to the specific objectives and restrictions.
  2. Manage Resources Carefully: Upgrade your bag early and compost low-value tokens to ensure efficient turns.
  3. Track Black Comet: Pay close attention to its progress on the Tree and Flower tracks. Try to deny it significant bonuses whenever possible.
  4. Maximize Synergies: Align your animal placements, terrain tiles, and nature cards to create scoring opportunities across multiple fronts.

Solo mode in Life of the Amazonia offers a rewarding challenge that highlights the depth and versatility of the game. Each scenario provides a fresh perspective, making it an excellent mode for honing your skills or enjoying a contemplative solo experience.

FAQs for Solo Mode #

Q: Can Black Comet’s actions be mitigated?
A: You cannot directly stop Black Comet, but strategic planning can minimize its impact. For example, secure animals or nature cards early if you suspect they may be removed.

Q: How are ties handled in solo mode?
A: Ties in solo mode are resolved by comparing your final Environmental Score (after deductions) to the scenario’s medal thresholds.

Q: What is the most challenging solo scenario?
A: Scenarios like “Exhausted Budget” and “Overabundance” introduce restrictions that test resource efficiency and strategic planning.

Q: Can I modify the difficulty of solo mode?
A: Yes! Increase difficulty by starting Black Comet further along the tracks or reducing the availability of specific resources.

With its rich mechanics and immersive theme, Life of the Amazonia offers a deeply rewarding experience for solo players and groups alike. Dive into the Amazon, and let the jungle-building begin!