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If you’ve ever read one of my monthly features you’ll know I'm a massive fan of any game that involves animals. Top of my list is any game that lets you play as an animal, thankfully that genre has plenty to offer. In some games you are responsible for building an animal community while in others you battle to outwit an opponent. This style of game always features adorable artwork, loveable creatures and the best games try to use unique gameplay mechanics. In a packed genre it’s hard to pick just a few standouts, but some always manage to shine through, and of those, here are five great games where you play as an animal.
Root
Root is a complex game of woodland war, where you play as a unique animal faction (Cat, Fox, Mouse or Rabbit) battling for control of a forest. The goal is to be the first player to score 30 victory points by building, maneuvering and battling other players. What makes Root standout, in both the animal and war game market, is the heavy reliance on asymmetric gameplay. On their turn each faction has a different set of actions they can take. Each player gets a faction board that lists these actions as well as the most effective way for that particular faction to score points.
Whether you’re the Marquise de Cat and want to maintain control of the forest or the Woodland Alliance, who inspire revolts among fellow citizens, you need equal amounts of cunning and ruthlessness. The core game relies heavily on this asymmetric gameplay, but do not be deterred, with expansions like Riverfolk, Underworld and Clockwork, you can take on the role of different animals, including rats and badgers, and unlock co-op and solo gameplay.
Everdell
It would be a crime not to mention Everdell on a list featuring animals, but that obligation is well deserved. Players lead a small group of forest creatures as they build new settlements in the valley of Everdell. By placing their workers throughout the forest players gather the resources they need to purchase construction and critter cards. These cards are added to a tableau that represents a city, which will be converted to points at the end of the game.
As the seasons pass players get to experience the stunning artwork of Everdell, that will have you meeting adorable creatures and admiring spectacular structures. The game also features a sizable standing tree that looms over an equally impressive game board, all of which emphasizes the wild charm of Everdell.
Dice Hunters of Therion
Dice Hunters of Therion pairs classic push-your-luck mechanics with anthropomorphic heroes, illustrated by Dann May—known for his work on Everdell. Players become brave animal bounty hunters, in the magical kingdom of Therion, with each player trying to amass the most wealth.
On their turn, players roll dice and choose to set aside or reroll certain dice. The goal is to roll as many sword icons as possible to surpass the current total for a particular bounty (known as Warrants). Whoever wins the warrant earns the coins for that particular card, with the value increasing as the game goes on. On your turn you can also increase the number of dice you roll, unlocking yellow and red dice, thereby increasing your chances of securing warrants. Dice Hunters of Therion is a delightful mix of strategy and luck that is quick to play and easy to learn. Not to mention, who doesn’t want to pretend to be an eagle wielding a bow or a weasel brandishing a dagger?
Creature Comforts
Players take on the role of woodland creatures working across Spring, Summer, and Fall to gather resources and prepare their homes for the coming Winter. Through worker placement players gather the goods they need from different locations, including the meadows, river and market. Where Creature Comforts stands out is the inclusion of multiple sets of dice; players roll a set of communal dice and personal dice to determine which resources they will be able to collect and what actions they can take. Once you have sufficient resources, players can construct items and, after a series of seasons, when winter arrives, the player with the most valuable items and the coziest home wins.
Creature Comforts is similar in style and gameplay to other games, relying on worker placement and dice rolling mechanics. Yet, a combination of luck and strategy gives it a level of depth that exceeds some of its predecessors. As with many of the games on this list, it also features outstanding artwork, all of which culminates in a game that feels oddly homely in design and gameplay.
Tiny Towns
In Tiny Towns, you take on the role of an animal mayor, overseeing a community of creatures setting up their home in a woodland away from prying eyes of predators. Players must use a limited amount of space, a four by four grid, and restricted resources to build strategically. Players take turns calling out resources, then place a cube of that resource on their personal grid. When the resources align just right, you can build one of the available structures. The player who accumulates the most points from their buildings by the end of the game wins.
The easy to grasp rules paired with the family friendly design make Tiny Towns an excellent choice for players of all experience levels and ages. The buildings that you’ll be constructing vary from game to game, which also means the game has a surprising amount of replayability. Overall, Tiny Towns represents a gem of a game, one that anyone can enjoy and is as fun on the first playthrough as it is the tenth, making it a popular choice, whether you dream of being a tiny animal mayor or not.
These games offer a wonderful mix of themes and mechanics that let you take on a role within the animal kingdom. Whether you’re seeking strategic depth or lighthearted gameplay these games provide a fantastic opportunity to play as an animal.
