Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small (2012) Board Game

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is a spin-off from the original Agricola board game, focusing solely on animal husbandry and farm-building. Designed by Uwe Rosenberg and published by Lookout Games in 2012, this 2-player game offers a more streamlined and quicker gameplay experience compared to its predecessor.

Game Components of Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

1 game board

2 player boards

144 wooden pieces (including animal meeples, fences, feeding troughs, and resource discs)

8 tiles

4 player board extensions

1 start player marker

9 multiplication markers

1 score pad

1 rule book

Sixteen action spaces on the game board

Four Standard Buildings and four special buildings with unique abilities.

How To Setup Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Players start with a 3×2 game board, which can be expanded during play using the provided extensions. Each player has their own player board. The game includes various components such as wooden animal meeples, fences, feeding troughs, and resource discs. The setup involves placing the game board, distributing the starting resources, and positioning the action spaces. Players then choose their starting actions, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Worker Placement: Players take turns placing their family member tokens on action spaces to perform specific actions.

Resource Management: Players manage resources like stone, wood, and reeds to build infrastructure and acquire animals.

Area Expansion: Players expand their farm by adding fences and buildings.

Game Objective:

The objective is to amass the most victory points by enclosing space with fences, acquiring a variety of animals, and constructing victory point-generating buildings. Points are awarded for the number and variety of animals, bonuses or penalties for certain animal quantities, and points from buildings and their effects.

Player Experience

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small offers a challenging and engaging experience, particularly suitable for two players. The game requires strategic planning and resource management, as players must balance building infrastructure and acquiring animals. The game’s design ensures that each action taken by a player limits the options available to the other player, adding a layer of competitive tension. Despite its shorter playtime of 30 minutes, the game maintains the complexity and depth of its parent game, Agricola.

Pros

Portable and Playable: The game has a relatively small spatial footprint, making it easy to play anywhere.

High Replayability: With multiple actions and building combinations, each game offers a unique experience.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Engaging Gameplay: The worker placement mechanism and competitive nature keep players engaged.

Upgraded Components: The Big Box edition includes custom farmer meeples and shaped resource counters.

Cons

Limited Options: Some players might find the game too tight or limited in options compared to the original Agricola.

Building Synergy: Certain combinations of buildings can be overly powerful or lack synergy, affecting gameplay balance.

Personal Thoughts on Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a concise yet challenging two-player board game. It is particularly appealing to fans of Agricola who want a more streamlined experience without sacrificing strategic depth. The game’s portability and short playtime make it ideal for casual gaming sessions or coffee shop playdates. However, for those seeking a longer, more complex game, the original Agricola might still be the better option.

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