Beasts cover
2025BGG rank #8,312

Beasts

by Clarence Simpson · Pandasaurus Games

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Players2–5
Time20–30m
ComplexityLight
Age12+

About the game

What is Beasts?

Beasts is a co-operative card game in which players work together to climb ever higher through a series of three-digit numbers, transforming the current number by strategically covering one digit at a time. Each player plays all cards of a single suit from their hand on their turn, always aiming to create a new number that's higher than the last. But things get wild when the beasts arrive. These mischievous creatures correspond to specific card types — like Whole Hearts or Broken Spades — and once they show up, they restrict where those card types can be played on the board. Beasts are startled when placed above matching cards, which makes them move (or even flee), and part of your team's challenge is luring and managing these creatures so that they don't block your most valuable options. Each player has limited information they can communicate, so the game hinges on clever planning, interpreting your teammates' cues, and maximizing every turn. With just a few shared discard tokens and an ever-growing number, your group will need to work in perfect sync to survive all the beasts and play every card in the deck. Complete the deck, tame the chaos, and claim victory with the highest number possible — if you can outwit the beasts. —description from the publisher

How it plays

Mechanics

Communication LimitsCooperative GameHand Management

On the shelf

Categories

Card GameNumber

Questions players ask

Questions to bring to BoardGameBrain

  • How do setup and the first turn work in Beasts?
  • When does scoring happen and what ends the game?
  • How should the table resolve an unusual timing or rules interaction?