Fertility (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Fertility is a board game designed by Cyrille Leroy and published by Catch Up Games in in 2018. It falls under the category of ancient-themed games and is suitable for players aged 10 and above. The game focuses on the concept of agriculture and civilization building in ancient times, where players compete to gather resources and expand their settlements.

Game Components of Fertility

Central board composed of several Valley boards

Tile pieces featuring symbols for stone, grapes, bovine, and papyrus flowers

Wooden resource pieces (though notably small)

Shop tiles

Player boards

Cardboard connectors for the board

Resources (wheat, stone, grapes, bovine, papyrus).

How To Setup Fertility

To set up Fertility, players first assemble the central board using the Valley boards connected by cardboard pieces. Each player receives a player board, and the resource tiles are shuffled and placed within reach. The shop tiles are also prepared, and each player starts with a set of initial resources. The game is ready to begin once all components are in place and the starting resources are distributed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place tiles matching symbols to existing tiles on the board.

Resource Collection: Players gather resources corresponding to the symbols on the placed tiles.

Shop Building: Resources are used to build shops, which can include worshiping gods for scoring.

Wheat Management: Wheat resources can be used for shops or saved for exponential victory points.

End-Game Scoring: Points are awarded for built shops, worshiped gods, and saved wheat.

Player Experience

Fertility offers a casual and engaging gameplay experience. The game is easy to learn, with simple turns that involve placing tiles and collecting resources. The game pace is quick, lasting between 25-45 minutes, making it a great filler game. The variability in the board setup ensures different experiences each time. However, the game’s simplicity might make it less appealing to experienced gamers seeking deeper complexity.

Pros

Simple Gameplay: Easy to learn and teach.

Multiple Scoring Paths: Various ways to score points, such as building shops and saving wheat.

Quick Playtime: Games last between 25-45 minutes.

Variable Setup: The board changes with each play, adding replayability.

Cons

Not a Deep Game: Lacks complexity for experienced gamers.

Tiny Resources: Small wooden pieces can be cumbersome.

Busy Board: The artwork and symbol placement can be visually overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Fertility

Fertility is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a light, enjoyable game. It’s accessible for children as young as 10 and offers enough strategic depth to keep adults engaged. However, it may not be the best fit for gamers seeking complex, long-term strategies. The game’s quick playtime and variable setup make it a great addition to any game collection for those who appreciate a relaxing, yet mildly challenging, gaming experience.

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