First Giants
First Giants at your next game night?
Add First Giants to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Matthew Dunstan , Brett J. Gilbert
- Publisher Space Cowboys , ADC Blackfire Entertainment , Hobby Japan , Rebel Sp. z o.o.
- Illustration Maud Chalmel , Jessica Cognard
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You collect and combine cards representing dinosaurs, flying reptiles and giant mammals to build an engine or score by placing them in your exhibit area. Cards have active powers when kept as part of your tableau but lose those effects once exhibited, so timing matters. The game focuses on set collection and combinations and plays in about 30 minutes.
Who Is This Game For?
First Giants suits experienced casual players and families with some gaming background; minimum age is 10. With a 30-minute playtime it fits as a short, tactical game on game night. Familiarity with drafting and set-collection helps but is not required.
How It Works
Mechanically the game uses Open Drafting, Action Retrieval and Set Collection with elements of Tableau Building: players draft or recruit cards and decide to keep them in their tableau as engines or play them into the exhibit to score. Many cards grant abilities while in the tableau; when exhibited those abilities stop but yield points or resources. The main tension is when to convert engine cards into exhibition scoring.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert, First Giants blends open drafting and action retrieval with tableau-based engine choices in a museum/paleontology theme. The choice between building a long-term engine and immediate exhibition scoring creates recurring tactical decisions each round.
Pro
- Short playtime (~30 minutes) suitable for quick sessions
- Clear tension between keeping cards as engines and exhibiting them
- Combines Open Drafting, Action Retrieval and Set Collection for tactical depth
- Strong thematic fit: paleontology and museum exhibits
Contra
- May feel light for heavy gamers due to short length
- Requires good timing; newcomers may need a few rounds to adjust
Setting & atmosphere
Theme centers on paleontology and running museum exhibits: players collect prehistoric animals and display fossils. Artwork is by Maud Chalmel and Jessica Cognard, reinforcing the museum/natural-history feel.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on building synergies in your tableau and learn when exhibiting a card yields more value than keeping it as an engine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is listed for 2–5 players.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is about 30 minutes, making it a compact experience with minimal downtime.
What prior experience do I need?
Some familiarity with draft and set-collection mechanics helps; the game is appropriate from age 10 up.
How does this compare to similar games?
First Giants combines Open Drafting and Action Retrieval with Tableau Building and set collection in a museum/paleontology context.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. With a 10+ age recommendation and 30-minute plays, it works well for families comfortable with drafting mechanics.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Open Drafting, Action Retrieval and Set Collection tied to tableau-based engine decisions defines the game.
Fazit
A short, strategic card game for 2–5 players that pits engine-building against immediate scoring. Recommended if you like compact draft/set-collection games with a museum theme.
First Giants at your next game night?
Add First Giants to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add First Giants to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
