Bosk (2019) Board Game
Bosk is a beautifully designed abstract strategy game that was released in 2019 by Floodgate Games. Designed by Daryl Andrews and Erica Bouyouris, the game challenges players to strategically place their trees to gain control of the park during the four seasons.
Game Components of Bosk
How To Setup Bosk
To set up Bosk, start by placing the double-sided game board in the middle of the table, choosing the side appropriate for the number of players (bigger squares for 2 players, smaller squares with or without the white border for 3 and 4 players). Each player receives a set of tree standees, leaf tokens, leaf tiles, and a squirrel in their chosen color. The Wind Board and Wind Direction Marker are placed aside for now. Players place a Leaf Token near the Score Track to track their scores. Determine the starting player randomly and give them the Hiker marker.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– Players place their tree standees on unoccupied intersections on the board to control rows and columns.
– Score points based on the highest total value of trees in each row and column.
– Players take turns dropping leaves from their trees based on the wind direction indicated by the Wind Board.
– Use leaf tiles to determine how many leaves to drop and in which direction.
– The squirrel tile allows a special action to ignore wind direction and place a leaf token.
– Score points for the areas with the most leaves on different terrain types on the board.
– The player with the highest total score wins.
Player Experience
Bosk offers a smooth and quick gameplay experience, with setup, gameplay, and teardown lasting around an hour. The game is praised for its beautiful and serene artwork, making it a visually appealing addition to any board game collection. The dual-phase gameplay (tree placement and leaf dropping) provides a dynamic experience, with each phase influencing the next. Higher player counts are particularly exciting, as they introduce more contention for spaces on the board.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on Bosk
Bosk is an excellent choice for those who appreciate strategic area control games with a touch of natural beauty. It is particularly suited for families and casual gamers who enjoy a balanced mix of strategy and quick gameplay. The game’s thematic representation of the four seasons and its artistic design make it a standout in any board game collection. It’s ideal for players looking for a game that is both visually stunning and engaging without being overly complex or aggressive.
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