The Search for Lost Species Review

boardgamequest.com:

We review The Search for Lost Species, a new game in the “Search for” series published by Renegade Games Studios. The Search for Lost Species is a follow up to the popular Search for Planet X.

The Search for Planet X, designed by Ben Rosset and Matthew O’Malley, was released in 2020. It is a deduction game in which players try to logically determine where Planet X is located in our solar system. An app is used to reveal facts to each player based on their actions. Logic rules assist in determining the layout of the solar system, like a Dwarf Planet is NOT adjacent to Planet X. Basically, it is gamified Sudoku. Planet X was well received and garnered several Game of the Year nominations.

Fast forward to 2023. Ben and Matthew published a follow up to The Search to Planet X titled The Search for Lost Species. It is built on the same logic puzzle as Planet X; however, it adds more variety to the game. It included a board for players to move around (Planet X had a rotating horizon). Cards with in-game benefits or end game scoring bonuses were added. Finally, there are six different Lost Species to search for, each with a unique logic rule.

Does Lost Species steal the spotlight from its older sibling, or is Planet X still the better version? Continue reading to find out my thoughts.

The Search for Lost Species is made up of an undetermined number of turns, with each turn consisting of the active player (the player farthest back on the Time Track) preforming the following three steps:

1. Take one of five actions: Options include moving around the board on foot or by boat and searching for animals. Placing a camera trap that will tell you what, if any, animals are in that space. Visiting a town to draw a Town card and research a topic, or locating the lost species itself (IE: win the game).

2. Advance your pawn on the Time Track based on the number of spaces required for the action you selected

3. If the Expedition Leader (an NPC token) is farthest back on the Time Track,