Beasts review and unofficial solo variant play (review copy provided)

About Beasts, from BoardGameGeek:

Beasts is a co-operative card game in which players work together to climb ever higher through a series of three-digit numbers, transforming the current number by strategically covering one digit at a time. Each player plays all cards of a single suit from their hand on their turn, always aiming to create a new number that's higher than the last. But things get wild when the beasts arrive. These mischievous creatures correspond to specific card types - like Whole Hearts or Broken Spades - and once they show up, they restrict where those card types can be played on the board. Beasts are startled when placed above matching cards, which makes them move (or even flee), and part of your team's challenge is luring and managing these creatures so that they don't block your most valuable options. Each player has limited information they can communicate, so the game hinges on clever planning, interpreting your teammates' cues, and maximizing every turn. With just a few shared discard tokens and an ever-growing number, your group will need to work in perfect sync to survive all the beasts and play every card in the deck. Complete the deck, tame the chaos, and claim victory with the highest number possible - if you can outwit the beasts. -description from the publisher