SEED GAME#17919 BGG all-time

Vivarium(2017)

★ 6.8 BGG2–5 players60 minWeight 3.88
Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Games like Vivarium

Looking for games like Vivarium? It rewards players who think several moves deep through tight, interlocking systems — built on asymmetric powers that make your side play unlike any other and building an engine card by card as the game unfolds. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Black Rose Wars(2019)

★ 7.92–4 players90 minWeight 3.4
ISO Match
72/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 5 more

Action QueueArea Majority / InfluenceArea Movement

Forbidden Stars(2015)

★ 8.02–4 players120 minWeight 3.8
ISO Match
70/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 5 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementCard Play Conflict Resolution

Mysthea(2019)

★ 7.62–5 playersWeight 3.8
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 4 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Dead Reckoning(2022)

★ 8.11–4 players90 minWeight 3.4
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementCube Tower

Star Trek: Captain's Chair(2025)

★ 8.71–2 players60 minWeight 4.0
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

StarCraft: The Board Game(2007)

★ 7.42–6 players180 minWeight 3.9
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 4 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementCard Play Conflict Resolution

Viscounts of the West Kingdom(2020)

★ 7.81–4 players60 minWeight 3.5
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 5 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingEnd Game Bonuses

BATTALIA: The Creation(2015)

★ 7.22–4 playersWeight 3.5
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Crescent Moon(2022)

★ 7.14–5 playersWeight 3.7
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceCard Play Conflict ResolutionHand Management

Monumental Duel: Trade(2024)

★ 6.82 players45 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Movement + 5 more

Action QueueArea MovementDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Great Western Trail: New Zealand(2023)

★ 8.51–4 players75 minWeight 4.0
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 2 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand ManagementOwnership

Monumental Duel: Espionage(2024)

★ 6.82 players45 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Movement + 5 more

Action QueueArea MovementDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

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Free · no credit card · 2-minute setup

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