Dreamwell (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Dreamwell is a board game that was released in 2016 and designed by Tara McPherson. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Card Game, and Fantasy, making it a unique and visually appealing game. With a runtime of 45 minutes and suitable for players aged 14 and up, Dreamwell offers a mix of grid movement, modular board, pattern building, and set collection mechanics.

Game Components of Dreamwell

16 tiles forming a 4×4 grid

Player markers and standees (Mr. Wiggles pawns)

Friend cards

Nightmare standee (for the nightmare variant)

Reference cards

Advanced game tiles with dark side terrains

How To Setup Dreamwell

To set up the game, each player selects a player marker and gathers the corresponding standees. The game board is created by laying out the 16 tiles in a random 4×4 arrangement. Players receive the first two friend cards, which indicate the specific animals and terrain needed to find each friend. The first player is determined by who slept the longest the previous night.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Move: Players can move their pawns around the board using the doors on the tiles. Movement is limited to one tile unless the tiles have connecting doors.

Rotate a Tile: Players can rotate any tile they are on or any unoccupied tile to align doors for better movement.

Play a Friend Card: If a player meets the requirements of a friend card (two animals and one terrain), they can play that card to score points.

Draw a Friend Card: Players can draw a friend card from the display or the top of the deck, with a hand limit of four cards.

Refresh the Friends Card Display: Players can discard the face-up friend cards and replace them with new ones.

Advanced Game Action: Flip a Tile: In the advanced variant, players can flip tiles to reveal different terrains.

Nightmare Variant: Introduces a nightmare standee that can scare players’ standees away and make tiles uninhabitable.

The objective is to find seven friends by meeting the requirements on the friend cards, with the player having the most points from their friends declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Dreamwell** is described as a light game with a bit of strategy. The gameplay is straightforward, making it a great gateway game or family game. The artwork is highly praised for its vibrant colors and detailed design. However, some players find the game to be somewhat procedural, with actions not strongly tied to the theme of navigating a dream world to find friends. The game plays quickly, typically lasting about 30 minutes.

Pros

Vibrant Artwork: The game features unique and well-done artwork by Tara McPherson.

Easy to Teach: Simple to learn and teach, making it a great introduction to board games.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for family play and a good option for those new to board games.

Variants: Includes advanced and nightmare variants to add more complexity and strategy.

Cons

Limited Theme Integration: The game’s actions do not strongly relate to the dream world theme.

Small Grid: The 4×4 grid can make tile rotation less meaningful, as most areas are easily accessible.

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players find the gameplay to be somewhat procedural and repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Dreamwell

**Dreamwell** is ideal for those looking for a light, family-friendly game with some strategic elements. It’s a great option for introducing new players to board games due to its simplicity and quick playtime. However, players seeking a game with deep thematic integration or complex strategies might find it lacking. The advanced and nightmare variants can add more depth, but the standard game is best suited for casual players.

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