Gameplay Guide

How to Play

A comprehensive reference for every mechanic in SpeciesQuest. Click any topic to explore it in depth.

12 Genetic Factors

Shape your species with size, speed, intelligence, aggression, and 8 more genes.

Every species is defined by 12 genes. Each gene is a continuous slider from 0 to 100. Every point you push in one direction has cascading effects — boosting some stats while taxing others. There are no free upgrades.

Physical Genes

Size

Larger bodies win head-to-head fights and resist predators, but consume far more food per tick. Oversized species crash when food is scarce.

Speed

High speed enables migration to new regions and fleeing predators. Low speed traps a species in its starting territory.

Strength

Raw combat power. High strength tips competition encounters in your favor. Stacks multiplicatively with size.

Defense

Reduces damage taken in competition. Pairs well with low aggression for a fortified, defensive niche.

Behavioral Genes

Aggression

High aggression initiates competition and raids on neighboring tiles. Low aggression biases encounters toward symbiosis and avoidance.

Intelligence

Improves resource efficiency and migration decision-making. High-intelligence species adapt faster but are metabolically expensive.

Social

High social scores unlock pack-hunting bonuses and shared territory defense. Low social species are solitary but more independent.

Stealth

Reduces the chance of being targeted in multispecies encounters. Also boosts predation success against prey.

Ecological Genes

Metabolism

Controls base food consumption per tick. Lower metabolism means survival in barren biomes. Higher metabolism enables faster reproduction.

Reproduction Rate

Directly multiplies population growth during good conditions. In bad conditions, fast breeders crash harder.

Adaptability

The key gene for surviving biome shifts, hazard events, and seasons. High adaptability costs more in ideal conditions but saves you in crises.

Resilience

Reduces population loss during catastrophic events like volcanic eruptions, droughts, and disease. A hidden insurance policy.