My Lil’ Everdell (2022) Board Game

My Lil’ Everdell is a children’s game that was released in 2022 by designers James A. Wilson and Clarissa A. Wilson. It is a smaller version of the popular board game Everdell, designed to be more accessible to younger players while still retaining the charming theme of building a woodland village.

Game Components of My Lil’ Everdell

Rulebook

Gameboard

4 Home Boards

4 Custom Resource Dice

1 8-Sided Die

12 Friend Meeples (3 Butterflies, 3 Foxes, 3 Lizards, 3 Mice)

59 Cards

Resources: Berries, Twigs, Resin

Various Tokens

How To Setup My Lil’ Everdell

To set up the game, each player chooses a Home Board and places their three Friend Meeples on it. The gameboard is placed in the middle, and the resource dice are rolled to determine the resources available for the first round. The Meadow deck is shuffled, and eight cards are drawn and placed face-up. Each player can optionally start with bonus cards and resources to help level the playing field for younger players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Worker Placement: Players place their Friends on various spots to gather resources.

Tableau-Building: Players build their city by adding cards to their Home Board.

Resource Management: Players collect and use resources (berries, twigs, resin) to purchase cards.

Dice Rolling: Resource availability is determined by dice rolls.

Game Objective:

Gather resources to purchase and play cards.

Build a city with creatures and buildings to earn points.

Collect Parades by gathering specific card combinations.

The player with the most points at the end of four rounds wins.

Player Experience

My Lil’ Everdell is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for both children and adults. The game simplifies the mechanics of the original Everdell, making it easier for newcomers to understand and play. Each turn, players place a Friend to gather resources, optionally buy a card, and work towards creating Parades. The game’s art is particularly charming, featuring kid versions of the original creatures and buildings. The game is engaging yet simple, making it a great introduction to worker placement and tableau-building for younger players.

Pros

Easy to learn and play

Adorable and engaging art

Simplified mechanics make it accessible for children

Great introduction to worker placement and tableau-building

Fast gameplay, typically lasting 20-45 minutes

Includes bonus cards to help level the playing field for younger players

Cons

Lacks strategic depth compared to the original Everdell

May be too simple for experienced gamers

Some components, like the resource boxes, can be a bit fiddly

Personal Thoughts on My Lil’ Everdell

My Lil’ Everdell is an excellent choice for families and newcomers to tabletop gaming. It provides a gentle learning curve, making it perfect for children as young as 6 years old, especially those who have some experience with simpler board games. For adults who enjoy the original Everdell, it offers a quicker and more streamlined experience that still captures the essence of the game. Overall, it’s a great stepping stone into the world of tabletop gaming and an enjoyable experience for players of all ages.

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