[2] The map is formed from hexagonal tiles in 7 terrain varieties (mountain, desert, forest, jungle, savannah, wetland or sea).

Most of the Execution actions move Elements, tiles or species cubes in ways that help or hinder the players.

[2][9] Finally in the Reset phase endangered species (those zero of whose requirements are met) are removed, one player may score points for occupying the most tundra tiles and housekeeping is done on the action display.

[1] As of 31 March 2021[update] Dominant Species is GMT's 3rd best top selling game, after Commands & Colors: Ancients and Twilight Struggle.

The New Scientist have listed Dominant Species as one of the "9 of the best board games to play for fans of science and tech".

[14] According to Andrew Smith: The rule book is highly regarded as "as one of the gold standards"[6] and "easily one of the best in the industry".