Encyclopedia

Game setup involves preparing player boards for multiplayer or solo mode, distributing starting reference cards, a character token, and a player marker. You place star and money tokens on your board, and set out blue and white player markers. On the main board, shuffle and place animal cards in rows according to player count, and distribute starting expedition tokens and funds depending on turn order. Finally, draw random dice and place them on round tracks to begin the first round.

The main goal of Encyclopedia is to achieve the highest score by the end of the game. Players accomplish this by conducting research, studying animals across 18th-century Europe, publishing findings, accumulating expertise, and meeting various scoring objectives throughout the six rounds.

During a turn, players select one of six available actions: using dice to gain resources, interacting with the bank, building expertise, studying animals, attending university, or publishing findings. Each round consists of players taking turns using their dice and matching animal card colors to perform actions, moving tokens across tracks while managing resources and action limits.

Scoring happens primarily at the end of the game and during specific round triggers. Players earn victory points based on published animal papers matching color and continent criteria, expertise levels, seal bonuses, and majority cubes placed on animal cards. Additional points are awarded for specific milestones reached during research and university tracks.

The game ends after six complete rounds. When the final round's last dice and actions are resolved, players execute end-game scoring to tally up all points from publications, expertise, remaining seals, and cubes to determine the winner.