The Search for Lost Species

The game begins by placing the main game board, which depicts an island divided into hexagonal areas. The Lost Species card is set aside, and terrain tiles (mountains, forests, etc.) are placed on the board according to the chosen game mode (standard or expert). Each player receives a player board, a pawn, and a set of starting tokens. The companion app is then used to generate a unique game code, which all players enter, and to provide initial clues about the Lost Species and its environment.

The primary objective is to be the first player to correctly deduce the identity of the Lost Species and its exact location on the island, along with the contents of two adjacent areas. Alternatively, if no player achieves this before the game concludes, the player who has accumulated the most points through various discoveries and correct deductions will be declared the winner.

Each player's turn consists of two main phases. First, the player moves their pawn along the time track, which represents the passage of time and can trigger certain events or penalties. Second, the player chooses and performs one of several available actions: Visit a Town (move to a town, choose a research topic), Survey by Boat (move along the coast, survey multiple areas), Survey by Foot (move inland, survey multiple areas), or Camera Trap (place a camera to reveal information about an area). These actions help players gather clues to narrow down the possibilities for the Lost Species.

Points are awarded at the end of the game based on several factors. The player who correctly identifies the Lost Species and its habitat receives a significant point bonus, with an additional bonus for being the first to do so. Players also earn points for each correctly identified species and truly empty area marked on their player boards. The value of these discoveries can vary depending on the specific species and game conditions.

The game can conclude in one of two ways. It immediately ends if any player successfully identifies the Lost Species, its location, and the contents of two adjacent areas, and this deduction is confirmed by the app. Alternatively, the game ends if the Expedition Leader pawn, which advances based on certain game events, reaches the final space on the time track. In this scenario, all players tally their points to determine the winner.