Cryptozoology for Beginners: What’s Inside the Box?
By Cryptozoic Entertainment | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Buying Guides
A clear breakdown of the components in Cryptozoology for Beginners, including cards, tokens, and rules, plus who this Steven Rhodes Games Vol. 2 title suits best.
Quick answer
The Cryptozoology for Beginners box contains a deck of location cards, cryptid cards, photo tokens, a scorepad, and a rules sheet—everything you need for a light card-drafting game for 2–4 players.
What the box includes (and what it doesn’t)
The game is a card-drafting, set-collecting, token-gathering experience based on Steven Rhodes’ art. Inside you’ll find a deck of location cards (which you draft each round), cryptid cards (which you collect for sets), photo tokens (used to score or trigger abilities), a scorepad for tracking victory points, and a rules sheet. There are no miniatures, boards, or dice—the entire game is card-and-token based, which keeps the box compact and the setup under two minutes.
One trade-off: the rules sheet is functional but brief. New players may need a practice round to grasp the drafting flow, especially the token-spending phase. The game relies on players reading the card text carefully, so if your group prefers illustrated rulebooks with examples, be prepared to explain a few edge cases yourself.
How the components affect gameplay
The card-drafting mechanic means each player sees a hand of location cards, picks one, and passes the rest—similar to Sushi Go or 7 Wonders. The cryptid cards you collect score points based on how many you have of each type. Photo tokens add a small resource-management layer: you spend them to claim extra cryptids or trigger special effects. The scorepad is straightforward but essential; without it you’d need to track points on scrap paper.
Because the game is entirely card-based, replay value comes from the variety of cryptid combinations and the order location cards appear. The box does not include expansions or variable player powers, so the core loop stays the same every game. That makes it a good intro to drafting but less suited for groups that crave heavy strategic depth or asymmetric roles.
Decision rules: Should you buy Cryptozoology for Beginners?
- Rule 1: Check your player count: The game supports 2–4 players. At 2 players the drafting feels less interactive because you see the same cards more often. At 4 players the passing creates more tension and variety.
- Rule 2: Assess your group’s experience with drafting: If your group has played any drafting game before, the rules will click in one round. If everyone is new, plan a practice round where you explain pick-and-pass out loud.
- Rule 3: Decide if you want a self-contained game or expandable system: The box includes everything you need to play. There are no expansions, so what you see is what you get. If you prefer games with ongoing content releases, this may feel limited. For a one-box, low-commitment game night, this delivers.
Product details
- Cryptozoology for Beginners (Steven Rhodes Games Vol. 2): Release Date: November 22, 2022. International Fans: Order on eBay! If you're outside the US, check eBay availability—this title may not be in all local retail channels.
Cryptozoology for Beginners (Steven Rhodes Games Vol. 2) - Cryptozoology for Beginners (Steven Rhodes Games Vol. 2): A MONSTROUSLY Good Time for the Entire Cryptid-Hunting Family! The family-friendly tone and simple rules make it a good pick for game nights with kids or casual players.
Who should pick this up
Best for
- Families or casual groups who want a light, 20–30 minute card game with a quirky theme
- Players new to card-drafting who want a low-cost entry point (MSRP $12.99)
Not for
- Experienced gamers seeking deep strategy, variable player powers, or expansions
- Groups that prefer games with boards, miniatures, or dice
