If there’s one moral lesson I can cherry-pick from most horror sci-fi movies as a fellow scientist, it’s definitely this one: tampering in genetic level is a perilous endeavour. Genetic modifications, albeit its allure of creating new life forms based on our images, comes with a catastrophic risk. TL;DR — it’s not worth it. Alas, here we are again, facing the consequences. After 23 failed attempts, the last one unleashes havoc. This is Adaptoid 24. The message still remains — never play God.
A short disclaimer before you read my board game analysis
As an avid euro gamer and hardcore Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) LCG player, my reviews may reflect a preference for these styles, and I may not cover solo games/variants extensively. Please note that my personal remarks are based on my gaming experiences, and I aim to provide honest insights within the scope of my preferences.
Adaptoid 24 is a two-player deduction game, plunging them both into a devastated genetic research facility. A proper stage for a hide-and-seek game. The aftermath of this reckless genetic experimentation pits the geneticist against his/her own monstrous creation — one scrambles to survive two harrowing rounds, and the latter hunts relentlessly to eradicate the last vestige of its creators. This supposedly high intensity premise is depicted in a simple and compact card game.
The Hide-and-seek begins
Both the geneticist and the predator get a set of cards depicting eight identical rooms within the facility, which now becomes a hellhole. While the scientist picks a card as its hiding spot, the Adaptoid 24 plays them to hunt its prey. These cards are played face down. When revealed, if they are not in the same room, both sides have the chance to plan and prepare for their next move.
For instance, the geneticist can reload the weapons or recharge shields. And perhaps, a brief moment to take a breath, thematically. It might be their last. On the other side, the predator can set up traps, bringing a grave consequence when that particular room is selected by the geneticist to hide in the next turn. And true to its name, this hunter evolves and adapts with the environment. It gains upgrades from the stack of Defence, Attack, or Evolution cards to overpower the prey’s resistance. Hence, the name Adaptoid 24.
This dynamic taps into the familiar tension you find in deduction games. One side is constantly working to be at the right place at just the right time. The other party is, on the other hand, doing everything possible to avoid that exact scenario. It’s a game of hide-and-seek. The catch is actually simple — the number of locations is limited, and once a spot has been used, it’s off-limits for the rest of the round.
Fate is sometimes a cruel tale. Turn after turn, the walls close in, and the inevitable showdown looms closer, both players fully aware it’s just a matter of time before they meet face-to-face. When both sides collide — happens when both players reveal the same card — an inevitable battle occurs. The Adaptoid 24 strikes. Similar to what preys do, the geneticist’s only hope is that they can fend off the attack and flee, possible with enough preparations and a bit of luck. While the hunter evolves in genetic level, growing more formidable in the next encounter, the scientist is left to rely on their weapons and fragile shields. They can only repel, flee, and repeat — the Adaptoid 24 is too powerful to be slain.
The battle in Adaptoid does not overstay its welcome. We get a simple combat system to handle the dirty work, where the scientists fend off whatever the creature throws their way. If they manage to repell all aggresive acts, the game moves on. It’s not glamorous, nor flash. Yet, it’s efficient and does the job well for a game of this size. The system really forces both players to plan things short-terms and to manage their resources carefully.
The game concludes when Adaptoid 24 finally overpowers the geneticist. It breaks the scientist’s weakened defences, when the weapons and shields are getting insufficient against the relentless hunter. And thus, the Adaptoid 24 claims victory. In a happier turn, the geneticist manages to survive the two horrifying hide-and-seek. Clutching the win in the face of overwhelming odds…
VERDICT
In our plays, the outcomes were surprisingly balanced. Sometimes the hunter claimed victory, and other times, the prey managed to slip away, surviving against the odds. This makes Adaptoid 24 feel fair to both sides. Despite the creature’s terrifying arsenal, the scientist is no pushover. With their tools and strategies, they’re more than capable of holding their own, proving just as tenacious in their fight for survival.
Much like Troia, which I also have covered previously, Adaptoid 24 thrives on the asymmetry approach. No tug-of-war, no chasing points. One side hunts, and the other struggles to survive. Period. This kind of concept is something I appreciate more from a game. Both players pursue entirely different objectives, and it’s interesting.
Another point that stands out is the compactness. The game comes in a small box, a perfect companion for traveling. It’s also quick and tidy. A solid and decent game in a portable format.
I am a full-time food technologist during weekdays. However, when the calendar hits weekends, I transform into an avid board gamer. I am a hardcore Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) LCG player from Fantasy Flight Games (FFG). Current hobby: buying board games. My shelf of shame’s list is getting longer, thanks to you, Kickstarter.
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