Papillon (2020) Board Game
Papillon is an abstract strategy board game that was released in 2020 by Kolossal Games. Designed by J.B. Howell and featuring artwork by Chris Byer and Whitney Rader, the game is set in a beautiful garden where players compete to attract the most butterflies to their own flowers.
Game Components of Papillon
How To Setup Papillon
To set up Papillon, players start by placing tiles showing garden sections on the main board. A gnome token is taken from the round track and added to the available pool of tiles. This setup prepares the game for the bidding phase.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Gameplay Phases:
1. **Preparation Phase:** Players bid on turn order using caterpillar tokens.
2. **Drafting Phase:** Players select garden tiles based on their bid order, with each subsequent player having a more limited selection.
3. **Gardening Phase:** Players simultaneously build their gardens by placing tiles to create closed gardens and open fields.
4. **Butterfly Phase:** Players clip their butterflies onto central flowers based on the garden tile sections they created.
Game Objective:
The objective is to dominate the central flower bushes by placing butterflies, which earns nectar points. The game spans 8 rounds, and points are totaled from central flower control, largest flower groups on tiles, and remaining caterpillar tokens. The player with the highest score is crowned the Butterfly Lord.
Player Experience
Papillon offers a surprisingly engaging experience despite its initial appearance. The game combines familiar mechanics like tile-laying, bidding, and area control, which build upon each other to create a strategic and competitive gameplay experience. Players must balance their garden construction with the strategic placement of butterflies to maximize their scores.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on Papillon
Papillon is a great choice for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic games but do not want overly complex rules. Despite the issue with the clip-on butterflies, the game offers a fun and competitive experience that is easy to learn but challenging to master. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy games like Carcassonne but are looking for a fresh twist with additional strategic layers.
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