Cascadia (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cascadia is a board game released in 2021 by Flatout Games, designed by Randy Flynn and illustrated by Beth Sobel. It is a game that combines elements of animals, environmental conservation, and puzzle-solving in a unique and engaging way. With its beautiful artwork and strategic gameplay, Cascadia has quickly become a favorite among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Cascadia

Deluxe Wooden Wildlife Tokens

Habitat Tiles (five types: Mountains, Forests, Prairies, Wetlands, Rivers)

Nature Tokens

Wildlife Scoring Cards (each with unique scoring goals for five wildlife types: Bear, Salmon, Elk, Hawk, Fox)

Family Variant Scoring Card

Starter Habitat Tiles

Full Color Scorepad

Deluxe Cloth Bag

Rulebook.

How To Setup Cascadia

To set up Cascadia, each player starts with a random 3-hex habitat tile that shows all five habitat types and all five wildlife types. Four Habitat Tiles are placed in a central row, and four Wildlife Tokens are drawn and placed next to these tiles. Randomly select one Wildlife Scoring Card for each of the five wildlife types and place them face up. This setup ensures each game has different scoring goals for the wildlife.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile-Laying: Players place Habitat Tiles adjacent to existing tiles.

Token-Drafting: Players choose a combination of a Habitat Tile and a Wildlife Token to add to their environment.

Variable Scoring: Each wildlife type has different scoring goals determined by randomly selected Wildlife Scoring Cards.

Game Objective

Create the most harmonious ecosystem by building habitat corridors and placing wildlife tokens to maximize points.

Earn points by fulfilling wildlife goals and creating the largest habitat corridors.

The game ends when all Habitat Tiles are used, and players score based on contiguous habitat tile groups and wildlife token placements.

Player Experience

Cascadia is praised for its balance of luck and strategy, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced players. The game is easy to teach and learn, with a playtime of 15-30 minutes for 1-4 players. It scales well from solo play to multi-player games, offering a fun and challenging experience for all. The game’s theme and artwork, featuring the habitats and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, add to its visual appeal and immersive gameplay.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple gameplay that can be taught in 2 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10+.

High Replayability: Modular scoring cards and variable setup ensure no two games are the same.

Awards and Recognition: Winner of the 2022 Spiel des Jahres and the 2023 International Gamers Award for the Best solo game.

Visual Appeal: Lovely artwork and high-quality components.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some reviewers note a lack of direct player interaction.

Memory Requirement: Players need to keep track of the varying scoring goals for each wildlife type.

Personal Thoughts on Cascadia

Cascadia is an excellent addition to any board game collection, particularly for families and casual gamers. It offers a perfect blend of simplicity and strategy, making it accessible to new gamers while still engaging for more experienced players. The game’s theme of building harmonious ecosystems and the beautiful artwork make it a visually pleasing experience. It is ideal for those looking for a game that is easy to learn but has enough depth to keep you interested over multiple playthroughs.

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