This is what cooperative board gaming should feel like. Paleo won the Kennerspiel (expert game of the year) because it delivers real tension and meaningful decisions while staying accessible enough for family game night.

The stone age survival theme works beautifully—you're not saving the world from abstract doom, you're just trying to keep your tribe fed, build a tent, and maybe paint that mammoth before winter kills everyone. The hidden information creates actual conversation: you don't know exactly what's at each location, so you're constantly discussing risk vs. reward.

Reviewers consistently praise the teamwork and emergent storytelling. One parent noted it works with kids as young as 6-7 if they're into games, which tracks—the complexity comes from strategy, not mature content.

The only real caveat: it's not a light filler game. You need 45-60 minutes and the first play will involve learning card symbols. But if your family is ready to graduate beyond Ticket to Ride without diving into 3-hour epics, this is the sweet spot.