“Dominant Species” is a compelling board game designed by Chad Jensen that simulates the struggle for dominance in the prehistoric world just before the dawn of the Ice Age. In this game, players take on the roles of one of six major animal classes—mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, arachnids, or insects—and work to adapt their species to the changing environment and compete for scarce resources. The game mechanics involve a combination of area control, worker placement, and tactical maneuvering, as players vie for territory on a hex-based board that represents Earth’s varied and shifting habitats. Players must contend with natural events, such as glaciation and cataclysmic changes, while also managing their species’ growth, migration, and evolutionary advancements through the acquisition of new traits. The game is known for its depth and complexity, requiring strategic foresight and adaptability to become the dominant species in an ever-evolving landscape.
