Water Lily (2010) Board Game

Water Lily is an abstract strategy board game designed by Vincent Dutrait and released in in 2010. The game features a unique blend of bluffing, racing, and animal-themed gameplay, making it suitable for players aged 7 and above. The game has been well-received for its simple yet engaging mechanics and beautiful artwork by GameWorks SàRL.

Game Components of Water Lily

20 frogs in five different colors, each player having four frogs

Secret waterlily tiles showing a frog with a hat and flag in one of the five player colors

Game board featuring a lily pond

Plastic insert with slides within the game box

Wooden discs representing the frogs

Box halves that support the game board

How To Setup Water Lily

To set up the game, assemble the board using both halves of the box to support it. Stack the frogs in five piles of four differently-colored frogs as indicated on the board. Each player receives a secret waterlily tile showing their frog color, which is kept hidden until the end of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement Mechanics: Each frog can move as far along a diagonal path as the height of the stack of frogs it starts on.

Stacking: Frogs can be stacked on top of each other; a frog on top of a stack can move the number of spaces equal to the stack height.

Objective: The goal is to ensure your frogs arrive at the palace in the right order. Points are awarded based on the arrival order: 1 point for the first frog, 2 points for the second, 3 points for the third, and 4 points for the fourth. Frogs arriving fifth or later score no points.

Secret Identity: Players do not reveal their frog colors until the end of the game.

Hidden Trackable Information: Frogs that finish the race slide into chutes, hiding their arrival order until scoring.

Player Experience

**Water Lily** is a highly engaging game for families. The game is easy to learn, and its quick gameplay – lasting about ten minutes – makes it appealing for children. The colorful art and chunky wooden pawns are particularly enjoyable for youngsters. However, the game’s reliance on memory and the secret identity mechanic can sometimes lead to frustration for adults, as it becomes challenging to keep track of which frogs belong to which player.

Pros

Spectacular Art: The game features beautiful, evocative artwork on the board and the box.

Easy Rules: Simple to understand, making it a great game for kids.

Engaging for Children: Children love the colorful art and the interactive gameplay.

Quick Gameplay: Games last only about ten minutes.

Cons

Memory Requirements: Players need to remember which frogs have been moved and where they are positioned, which can be frustrating.

Lack of Control: The game’s outcome is heavily influenced by other players’ moves, reducing the sense of control.

Gimmick Over Functionality: The use of the box as part of the game, while novel, can be seen as more gimmick than necessary functionality.

Personal Thoughts on Water Lily

**Water Lily** is a great game for families with young children, offering a fun and interactive experience. While it may lack deep strategy, it is an excellent choice for those looking for a light, easy-to-play game. Adults might find the game a bit too simplistic and frustrating due to the memory and secret identity elements, but it remains a charming and enjoyable experience, especially when played with kids. If you’re looking for a game that’s quick, fun, and visually appealing, **Water Lily** is certainly worth considering.

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