Strange Creatures, the trick-taking and deck-building game on the island of Lumora
Strange Creatures is a card game published by Amigo, designed by Matthias Cramer (also the designer of Glen More and Lancaster) and illustrated by Jan Bintakies. Players take on the role of explorers on Lumora, a mysterious island absent from any map, home to creatures as beautiful as they are unsettling. Its originality: an unusual blend of trick-taking and deck-building, combining the feel of a game like Wizard or Hearts with the progression of a deck-builder like Dominion.
How to play Strange Creatures
The game is played over four rounds, made up of several tricks. In each trick, players play a Creature card following the led suit: whoever plays the strongest card wins the trick and earns a Stamp (victory point). Notably, players who do not win the trick don't come away empty-handed: they can activate the special effect on the card they played, often granting coins or tactical advantages. The player who played the weakest card gets priority to buy a new creature from the central market using their coins, directly enriching their deck for upcoming rounds.
End of game and victory condition in Strange Creatures
After four rounds, players compare the number of Stamps collected: whoever has immortalised the most rare finds wins the game.
