Mystical Seeds (2018) Board Game

Mystical Seeds is a strategic board game that was released in in 2018. Designed by Kai Ng and Lin Shi-Feng, the game is set in a fantasy world where players compete to collect magical seeds and grow them into powerful plants. The game has received praise for its engaging gameplay and beautiful artwork by TWOPLUS Games.

Game Components of Mystical Seeds

Player boards

Garden Fairies

Seed tokens

Level 1 and Level 2 Plant cards

Knowledge Tiles

Potion tokens

Starting Resource cards

Bookshelf Board

Garden board

How To Setup Mystical Seeds

To set up the game, you start by building the Garden and adding seeds to their relevant locations. Place the three Garden Fairies in the concave areas near the Level 1 Seeds, randomizing their order. Lay out the Bookshelf Board and give each player a player board and four fairies in one color. Three of these fairies go on the bottom spaces of the Bookshelf Board, and the fourth goes to the topmost circle of the player’s board. Shuffle and deal Level 1 and Level 2 cards face-up below the Bookshelf Board. Add four Level 1 and Level 2 Knowledge Tiles to the indicated spots on the Bookshelf Board. Give each player a Potion and two Starting Cards, of which they pick one to resolve and return the other.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Phases: Inspiration, Action, and Cleanup.

Inspiration: Choose a Level 1 pool to collect seeds equal to the number of Garden Fairies in that pool.

Action: Take seeds and conduct a Garden Fairy Action, such as cultivating a plant by matching seeds to plant cards.

Cleanup: Reset for the next player’s turn by moving fairies, replenishing Plant cards, and refilling Knowledge Tiles.

Seed Collection: Collect seeds and graft them to cultivate new plants.

Plant Cultivation: Use seeds to cultivate plants, with some seeds acting as substitutes for others (e.g., brown seeds can be any other seed).

Prestige Points: Gain prestige by publishing findings on cultivated plants. The game ends when a player reaches 10 Prestige Points, and the player with the most Prestige wins.

Player Experience

In Mystical Seeds, players take on the roles of botanists researching and experimenting with mystical seeds to cultivate amazing plants. The game involves strategic planning and resource management as players collect and graft seeds to uncover the mystical properties of the plants. The experience is engaging, especially for those who enjoy set collection and resource management mechanics.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of seed collection, grafting, and plant cultivation offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth: Players need to strategically manage their seeds and fairies to maximize their prestige.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 8 years old, making it a great option for family game nights.

Cons

Complex Setup: The setup process can be a bit intricate, requiring careful placement of various components.

Limited Reviews: Mixed reviews, with some players finding the gameplay somewhat complex or not as engaging as other set collection games.

Personal Thoughts on Mystical Seeds

Mystical Seeds is ideal for players who enjoy strategic set collection games and are intrigued by the thematic element of botanical research. It’s a good choice for families looking for a game that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, though it may not appeal to players seeking highly complex or competitive gameplay. The game’s unique mechanics and fantasy setting make it a standout in its category, but it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its mixed reviews.

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