Dandelions (2022) Board Game

Dandelions’ is a board game released in 2022, designed by Anca Gavril and Daniel Profiri. The game revolves around the concept of dandelions and their impact on the environment. Players compete to control areas on the board and gain the most influence.

Game Components of Dandelions

5 garden tiles of varying point values

11 dice per player (each player has a distinct color)

Player pawns

Dry-erase scoring board

Illustrated garden tiles and dice.

How To Setup Dandelions

To set up Dandelions, arrange the 5 garden tiles in ascending point order. Each player selects a color and places their pawn on the first available space in the first garden. Then, each player rolls their 11 dice to start the game. The goal is to strategically use these dice to move around the gardens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roll and Move: Players take turns selecting one die from their pool and moving their pawn the number of spaces shown on the die.

Float Mechanic: If a player lands on a space occupied by another player, they move forward the same number of spaces again.

Plant and Gust: Players place the used die in the garden they land in. If a garden already has a die with the same number, the existing die is moved to the next available garden.

Scoring: The game ends when all players have used all their dice. Points are scored in two ways: by the value of the garden where the die is planted and by having the most dice in a garden, scoring the sum of the pips of those dice.

Player Experience

Playing Dandelions is a quick and strategic experience, lasting about 15 minutes. The game is easy to learn but requires thoughtful decisions about which dice to use and when to try to outmaneuver opponents. The colorful and vibrant design adds to the game’s charm, making it visually appealing. However, the game feels more engaging with three players, as two-player games lack the necessary interaction.

Pros

Unique Graphic Design: Vibrant and unique color palette and bold graphic style.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules that are quick to teach.

Compact and Well-Designed Package: Includes all necessary components in a small box.

Strategic Depth: Two scoring conditions add complexity to the game.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-3 players, with the game feeling less interactive at two players.

Lack of Complexity: Gameplay lacks depth, especially in two-player games.

Short and Sometimes Underwhelming Experience: The game can end feeling procedural rather than exciting.

Personal Thoughts on Dandelions

Dandelions is ideal for those looking for a light, easy-going filler game that doesn’t demand too much time or complexity. It’s a great choice for families, friends, or less experienced gamers. However, due to its limited player count and lack of depth, it may not be the best choice for those seeking more intricate gameplay or games that support larger player groups. If you have exactly three players and enjoy quick, strategic games, Dandelions will hit the mark, but otherwise, it might collect dust on your shelf.

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