Daybreak
- Designer Matt Leacock , Matteo Menapace
- Publisher CMYK , asmodee , Gém Klub Kft. , Ghenos Games , Hobby Japan
- Illustration Mads Berg
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Daybreak, players control world powers deploying policies and technologies to combat global warming. Together, you work to reduce emissions to net-zero while building resilient societies to withstand crises. The game challenges you with events and automatic resource growth, requiring strategic hand management and collaboration to avoid losing by global temperature rise or societal collapse.
Who Is This Game For?
Daybreak is aimed at hobby gamers interested in cooperative strategy games with environmental themes. Suitable for 1 to 4 players aged 10 and up, it offers around 120 minutes of gameplay that demands teamwork and some experience with hand management mechanics.
How It Works
Players use hand management and tableau building to deploy technologies and policies, while automatic resource growth simulates global changes. Icon resolution speeds up gameplay by clarifying card effects. Events introduce dynamic challenges, requiring coordinated planning to reduce emissions and manage crises before thresholds are exceeded.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matt Leacock, creator of Pandemic, and Matteo Menapace, Daybreak won the Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024. It stands out by combining cooperative gameplay with climate change themes and mechanisms like automatic resource growth and tableau building, supported by digital implementations.
Awards
2024
2023
- 2024 American Tabletop Strategy Games — Recommended
- 2023 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Cooperative gameplay for 1-4 players
- Strong climate change theme
- Winner of Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024
- Automatic resource growth adds dynamic depth
Contra
- Relatively long playtime (~120 minutes)
- Requires patience and teamwork due to complexity
- Not suitable for very young children
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in a global scenario where players represent world powers facing climate change. They must balance emission reductions with societal resilience to avoid crises on a worldwide scale.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on teamwork and gradually learn the hand management and automatic resource growth mechanics for better coordination.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes, Daybreak includes a solo mode for single-player gameplay.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 120 minutes, plus setup and explanation time.
What prior experience do I need?
Daybreak is a medium-weight game suited for players familiar with cooperative and hand management mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
It is unique in combining climate themes with cooperative gameplay, tableau building, and automatic resource growth.
Is this suitable for families?
Recommended for players 10 and older; complexity is better suited for families with older children or experienced gamers.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of automatic resource growth, hand management, and cooperative play defines Daybreak's gameplay.
Fazit
Daybreak is a solid choice for players seeking a cooperative, thematic strategy game about climate change. Its medium length and complexity suit those who enjoy thoughtful teamwork and environmental topics.
