Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a survival simulator set long before the advent of civilization. The player leads a group of ancient hominids and gradually develops their skills. The rules are hardly explained here: you need to observe, try and remember. Fear of the unknown affects the behavior of relatives, and exploring new places is expensive. Over time, new skills and tools appear, and the community grows along with the developed territory. The death of one of the wards does not end the game, but weakens the group, so caution is more important than prowess. The design is good, the presentation is unusual. It is also worth noting that the community develops through training: new skills are transferred to relatives and remain in the group. In addition to survival, there is exploration of territories and the gradual development of tools: stick, stone, fire. Fear affects behavior, so it is better to explore unfamiliar places gradually. The death of a relative does not end the party, but it hits the community and forces them to change plans for the future. The pace here is slow, and this is part of the design: development takes not hours, but entire generations. The development of new territories forces you to change your usual route, and therefore plan the group’s movements. Tools did not develop immediately: first a stick and a stone, then bone tips and the first semblance of a spear. The routes of the community expand over time, and with them the territory of residence. For those players who don't mind figuring out the rules themselves, Ancestors provides a rare experience.