As the name implies, Amazonas is set in the Amazon jungle where players must race to establish research huts to study the many species the rainforest has to offer.

The board is simply stunning to look at as it incorporates the vibrant colour of the Amazon's may species.

The board depicts 30 research sites and these are connected by a series of jungle paths and river crossings.

Each site is also home to one of five specimens (lizard, butterfly, flower, fish and parrot) and it is these specimens that the players must collect to earn victory points.

Play begins with each player receiving a secret mission card that depicts four of the 30 research sites.

The game lasts for a total of 18 rounds (most of which are quick to complete) and if a player has managed to establish a base at all of these destinations then all is well.

However, for each site that is not reached in time four points are deducted.

Silver and gold coins are used to pay for the cost of building research huts

Each turn involves players choosing one card from their own deck and revealing it simultaneously.

Each card serves to earn the players extra income and determine the turn order for the round.

An event card is then drawn and these can be beneficial or problems such as jaguars and crocodiles.

Once the event is resolved the players are free to collect their income and purchase new huts.

Players can only build at adjacent sites to their starting position abd travel is possible via the jungle paths and river crossings.

This means that advanced planning is essential to success.

It is possible for mulitple players to build at the same site but the cost will be more expensive for those that arrive later.

This lends the game much of it's strategy as players must decide on the most efficient path (to maximise their limited resources) and ensure that they beat the competition to cheap sites.

The winner is the peson to acquire the most victory points and these are awarded for collecting three or more of a particular specimen (awarded when a new hut is built), being the first to collect one of each specimen abd avoiding penalties for not completing the mission card.