Australis by Thames & Kosmos – DICE Drafting Game for 2-4 Players | Ages 10+ | 60 Minute Playtime

Australis: Explore the Ocean with Thames & Kosmos

Set off along the East Australian Current, a warm underwater corridor where sea turtles glide past vibrant flora and a chorus of reef life. In Australis, you draft dice to shape a living ecosystem—feeding schools of fish, building corals, or gliding deeper with your sea turtles as the current shifts around you. This theme blends eye-catching art with tactile pieces, inviting you to slow down and engage with a dynamic marine world.

Each round brings a new set of choices. You select dice that unlock different actions, then finish with a tense dice showdown where outcomes hinge on both luck and your prior planning. While higher quality dice can boost your odds, outcomes remain influenced by timing, strategy, and the evolving board state, keeping the game playful and competitive.

How to play at a glance

• Draft dice each round to feed fish, settle coral, or swim further down the current.
• Finish rounds with a dice showdown to determine the leading turtle and top score.

Why players enjoy Australis

• Friendly ecosystem: a beautifully illustrated ocean theme that’s easy to learn for beginners and satisfying for seasoned players alike.
• Diverse strategy: multiple paths to points encourage creative, evolving play styles and experimentation.

Designed for 2-4 players, ages 10 and up, with about 60 minutes per session, Australis fits nicely into family game nights, casual hangouts, or tabletop meetups. The theme invites conversation about nature and exploration, while the mechanics reward thoughtful drafting and timely decisions. Expect a game that can be played in a single sitting but still leaves room for returning to try different routes to victory.

What you get and why it stands out

The experience centers on a clear, oceanic theme with a focus on drafting and engine-building within a compact playtime. The blend of risk and reward, coupled with the ever-changing current, creates a sense of momentum without overwhelming new players. Australis rewards careful planning as well as bold, well-timed moves, making it a strong pick for groups seeking strategic depth in a family-friendly package.