Cryptic Nature, a strategy tabletop game from iDventure about saving legendary cryptids, launched a new Kickstarter campaign today. The game is already fully funded five times over.

In Cryptic Nature, players compete to become the best cryptozoologist, tracking cryptids across Europe to discover evidence, and building a wildlife sanctuary for them. You’ll also need to manage your assistants to gain different bonuses or skills.

The Kickstarter campaign will end on February 21st, 2024. The base game includes 35 cryptids inspired by real legends, 4 unique cryptozoologists, and more.

For a gameplay breakdown, it was explained in under two minutes on the official iDventure YouTube channel:

While I haven’t had the chance to play Cryptic Nature, its Kickstarter trailer and campaign details instantly grabbed my attention.

Cryptic Nature’s admiration for natural beauty, even in ordinarily dangerous creatures, is a slick and friendly premise.

It transforms monsters into ordinary animals, a truly clever yet simple twist on a familiar theme. The realistic art design looks equally beautiful and academic.

This is an excellent way to wield the popularity of themes like Ark Nova while also maintaining the mystery and appeal of cryptids.

You will likely recognize iDventure for their Cluebox puzzles, thoughtful little games with classy wooden designs.

Previously, their traditional board games include Escaping Earth and Hijacked. Cryptic Nature appears more innovative, elaborate, and heavy than these.

I appreciate that there’s also a solo mode, featuring a poacher to defeat. It smartly reinforces the environmentalist angle, emphasizing animal protection.

However, the poacher does make me wonder why there couldn’t be a cooperative option. Both Escaping Earth and Hijacked did have semi-cooperative mechanics.

Either way, the components look fantastic, even featuring a magnetic game board to keep tiles tidy. There are also two expansions, with countless opportunities to add later on.

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