Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Low interaction
Scales well
Deep strategy
More strategic control
How it plays
How does it play?
Cross Europe in search of cryptids, gather the evidence needed to capture them, and build a sanctuary where extraordinary creatures can thrive.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Action Retrieval
Previously used actions must be recovered before they can be selected again.
Dice Rolling
Roll dice to introduce uncertainty into actions, production, movement, or resolution.
Pick-up and Deliver
Use Pick-up and Deliver as a recurring structure for player decisions and resolution.
Contracts
Complete specific requirements to earn rewards, income, or victory points.
Point-to-Point Movement
Move along explicit connections between named locations or nodes.
Grid Coverage
Place pieces to cover required cells or patterns on a grid.
Read the full game description
Cryptic Nature is a medium-weight strategy game about cryptozoologists tracking legendary creatures across Europe. Players travel between cities, collect the right combinations of evidence, complete contracts, and roll dice when attempting a capture. Each rescued cryptid can be placed in a personal sanctuary or delivered to a city with a matching request, so movement efficiency and habitat planning pull in different directions. Action retrieval and a spatial sanctuary puzzle reward planning while uncertain captures keep every expedition tense.
