Doomlings

Doomlings is an adorable card game about the end of the world. I consider summer to be the perfect time to bring out card games and this one is no exception.

This is a quick and easy card game that would appeal to families and non gamers. The easy setup and quick gameplay means it will get to the table a lot. In fact you’ll probably play a few times in a row. There’s a little bit of Take That in this game, but it’s way more subtle than Here to Slay or Muffin Time. The way you set up the Ages and Catastrophes adds variety and I think the best feature. That deck will be switched up with different effects each game. I would say it’s more challenging and has more replay value than Exploding Kittens.

My one minor complaint is the age cards start to show a little damage around the edges, so I will probably end up sleeving the game.

Additionally there are a few expansions and upgrades that look pretty good. I’m eyeing up the Upgrade pack expansion because the Dino cards look adorable. The latest expansion Overlush has a collector card game vibe to it. It’s an interesting idea because your game will end up being completely unique to others. This game is highly accessible and it’s cool that there’s a range from a generic base game to something so one of a kind. There’s a lot of card games I wish had that kind of versatility. You can even buy stuffies of the Doomlings characters.

Doomlings was designed by Justus Meyer and Andrew Meyer and was published by Doomlings LLC. It is a 2 to 6 player card for ages 10 and up that takes about half an hour to play.

Components

1 Rulebook
1 deck of 167 cards
1 Mystery Holofoil

Setup

Separate the Birth of life card and the 15 catastrophe cards from the age cards. Shuffle the age cards and deal 3 piles face down with three cards each. Shuffle the catastrophe cards and deal 1 randomly to each of the 3 piles. Each pile should now have 4 cards. Shuffle each of the piles. Stack the 3 piles of top of each other into one deck and place the birth of life on top. The age deck is now ready to play, place in the centre of the table. This deck will be unique from game to game.

Give each player a gene pool card and have them place it with 5 pointed up in front of them. The gene pool number shows how many cards you can have in your hand at the end of the turn. This number will change throughout the game and you will rotate or flip this card as you go.

Gene pool card. Higher numbers are on the back

Shuffle the trait cards and deal 5 to each player. The remaining deck will go in the centre of the table next to the age pile.

How to Play

The goal of the game is simple, the player with the most points at the end of the world wins.

The first player will flip over the Birth of Life card into its own pile. Each player will take a turn playing trait cards and once the game gets back around to the first player they will flip over the next age card on top of the Birth of Life Card, this card will be the effect for the next round.

On a players turn they will follow the effects of the current age card then play their trait card.

If a catastrophe card is flipped all players will adjust their gene pool effect and follow what’s written on the card. Ignore the World’s end effect until the 3rd catastrophe.

Catastrophes mark the end of an era. When a catastrophe card is pulled it will be placed in a new stack of ages. At the end of the game there will be 3 stacks of ages that represent each era.

On your turn after you have completed the age effect, you will play 1 trait card from your hand face up in front of you. This is how you will earn points for the end of the game. Some cards will also have an effect that is a bit of a bonus.

Examples of trait cards. Point value is in the corner, bonuses are written on the card.

To end your turn make sure your hand has the same amount of cards as your gene pool number.

Catastrophe Cards

When a catastrophe card is drawn, the 1st player changes to the next person on their left. The 3rd catastrophe card ends the game. When a catastrophe card is drawn everyone will adjust their gene pool. There will also be an effect on the card everyone must follow for that round. Ignore the world’s end unless it is the third catastrophe card.

When the third catastrophe card is pulled, it’s time for the world’s end, play the effects the same as you would in the other rounds. In turn order play any world’s end effects on the trait cards you have placed out then resolve the World’s End Effect on the catastrophe card.

Scoring

Tally up the face value of the traits in your traits pile, any world’s ends that effect points and any bonuses or modifiers on your trait cards. Highest score wins.

Doomlings is a great option if you are looking for something quick with an easy set up that you can play with all ages.

I moved this game into my favourites after adding the upgrade expansion. Please read that review here.