Gift of Tulips (2022) Board Game

Gift of Tulips is a card game designed by Sara Perry and published by Weird Giraffe Games in in 2022. The game is set in a charming world where players compete to collect the most valuable tulips to earn points and win the game. With beautiful artwork by Katy Grierson, Emily Hancock, and M.G. Patiño, Gift of Tulips offers a visually appealing and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Gift of Tulips

Player count: 2-6 players

Age range: 8+

Components: Tulip cards, player boards, scorecards, and small wooden pieces

Additional tools: A tulip scorer (though optional, as some players find it fiddly).

How To Setup Gift of Tulips

To set up the game, players need to adjust the deck based on the player count. For a two-player game, remove 18 cards; for three players, remove 4 cards; for four players, remove 6 cards; for five players, remove 14 cards; and for six players, remove 10 cards. Each player receives a reference sheet and a scorecard. The game begins by flipping two tulip cards to determine the first and second place positions on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay mechanics: Card drafting, gifting, and placement.

Game objective: Players aim to build colorful bouquets by placing, keeping, or gifting tulip cards to maximize their points.

Key actions:
– Keep a tulip card for potential end-game scoring.
– Give a tulip card to an opponent to add to their collection.
– Place a tulip card on the board to score immediate points.
– Each turn, players perform two actions, with the second action different from the first.

Player Experience

**Gift of Tulips** offers a surprisingly strategic experience despite its simple rules. Players must strategically decide whether to keep, give, or place tulip cards, taking into account the potential points each action could yield. The game balances strategy with a touch of luck, making it engaging and fun for players of various skill levels.

Pros

Component quality: High-quality cards and wooden pieces.

Strategic depth: Simple to learn but strategically rich.

Family-friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Quick gameplay: Games typically last around 20 minutes.

Cons

Tulip scorer fiddliness: Some players find the tulip scorer too cumbersome to use.

Luck element: The draw of cards can introduce an element of luck that might affect strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Gift of Tulips

**Gift of Tulips** is an excellent choice for families, casual gamers, and those looking for a light yet strategic game. It’s perfect for game nights with friends or family gatherings, offering a fun and interactive way to experience the charm of Amsterdam’s Tulip Festival. The game’s short playtime and ease of setup make it an ideal addition to any board game collection. However, it may not appeal to hardcore gamers seeking complex, long-form experiences.

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