Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small (2012)

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

“Agricola” is a Euro-style board game created by Uwe Rosenberg, first published by Lookout Games in 2007. The game is set in the 17th century and focuses on resource management and worker placement. Players represent farmers who sow, plow the fields, collect wood, build stables, buy animals, expand their farms, and feed their families. After 14 rounds, players calculate their score based on the size and prosperity of their household. The game has received positive reviews and awards, including the Spiel des Jahres special award for “Best complex game 2008” and the 2008 Deutscher Spiele Preis.

Game Components of Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

1 game board

2 player boards

144 wooden pieces (including animals, resources, and buildings)

8 tiles

4 player board extensions

1 start player marker

9 multiplication markers

1 score pad

1 rule book

62 buildings from the base game and both expansions (in the Big Box edition).

How To Setup Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Players start with a 3×2 game board that can be expanded during play to accommodate more animals and infrastructure. Each player receives a player board and the necessary components. The game includes 16 possible actions that players can take, with each player performing three actions per round. The setup involves placing the initial buildings and resources according to the rules, and determining the start player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Worker Placement

Game Category: Strategy, Farming

Designer: Uwe Rosenberg

Objective: The goal is to amass the most victory points by enclosing space with fences, acquiring a variety of animals, and constructing victory point-generating buildings. Players balance building infrastructure and acquiring animals over eight rounds.

Player Experience

In *Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small*, players take on the role of animal breeders, managing pastures for horses, cows, sheep, and pigs. The game is designed to be quick, with an average playtime of 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a casual yet strategic gaming session. The addition of expansions, such as *More Buildings Big and Small* and *Even More Buildings Big and Small*, adds significant replayability and depth to the game.

Pros

Quick and Engaging: The game is easy to learn and plays in under an hour.

High Replayability: With 62 buildings from the base game and expansions, players have numerous strategic options.

Enhanced Components: The Big Box edition features upgraded wooden pieces and custom farmer meeples.

Focused Gameplay: Concentrates on animal husbandry, making it a unique and simplified version of *Agricola*.

Cons

Random Building Combinations: Some combinations of buildings can be too powerful or lack synergy, which may affect game balance.

Feeling Too Tight: Some players might find the game too short or wish for more options and a longer gameplay experience.

Personal Thoughts on Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

*Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small* is perfect for those who enjoy strategic games but prefer shorter play sessions. It is ideal for couples or friends looking for a two-player game that is both fun and challenging. The game’s simplicity and depth make it an excellent introduction to the *Agricola* series for new players, while the expansions provide enough complexity to keep experienced players engaged. If you’re a fan of worker placement and animal husbandry, this game is a must-have in your collection.

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