Everdell (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Everdell is a board game that was released in 2018 and has gained popularity for its beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay. Designed by James A. Wilson and published by Starling Games, Everdell falls into the categories of Animals, Card Game, City Building, and Fantasy. With a runtime of 40-80 minutes, it is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Everdell

Game Board: Features various spots for resource collection and a central meadow for cards.

Workers: Each player starts with 2 forest creatures and can acquire up to 6 by the end of the game.

Resources: Berries, stones, resin, and twigs.

Cards: 128 critter and construction cards, including destination cards and event cards.

Seasonal Board: Represented by a 3D tree structure where players track their progress through four seasons (winter, spring, summer, autumn).

Point Tokens: Used for scoring, available in cardboard or metal in the Collector’s Edition.

How To Setup Everdell

To set up Everdell, begin by placing the game board in the middle of the table. The 3D tree structure, known as the Ever Tree, is assembled and placed on the board. Each player starts with two workers and a hand of five cards. The meadow is filled with eight randomly drawn construction and critter cards. Players also receive starter resources and any starter event cards. The game is divided into four seasons, and each season’s effects and resources are prepared accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players send their forest creatures to collect resources or perform actions.

Tableau Building: Players build their city by playing cards from their hand, using resources to pay the costs.

Seasonal Progression: Players advance through the four seasons independently, with each season bringing new opportunities and challenges.

Card Effects: Cards provide various bonuses, resources, and victory points. Some cards trigger multiple times as the seasons change.

Destination Cards: Allow players to build new locations that can be used by their workers or other players.

Game Objective: The player with the most points, earned through cards, resources, and completed events, wins the game.

Player Experience

Everdell offers a delightful and challenging experience, combining strategic planning with the whimsical theme of building a forest city. Players must strategically use their workers to gather resources and build a cohesive city, leveraging the unique abilities of each card. The game encourages engine-building, where players create powerful combinations of cards to generate resources and points efficiently. The indirect player interaction adds a layer of complexity without feeling intrusive, making it engaging yet not overly competitive.

Pros

High Replayability: Random card draws and seasonal effects ensure each game is unique.

Beautiful Components: The game features high-quality components, including a 3D tree and squishy berry tokens.

Engaging Gameplay: Combines worker placement and tableau building in a cohesive and challenging way.

Indirect Player Interaction: Players impact each other’s games without direct confrontation.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families looking to transition into more complex board games.

Cons

Learning Curve: While the gameplay is straightforward, mastering the card combinations and strategies takes time.

Cardboard Tree Issues: The Ever Tree, while visually appealing, can be impractical for holding objective cards due to visibility issues.

Personal Thoughts on Everdell

Everdell is an excellent choice for those who enjoy nature-themed games, worker placement mechanics, and tableau building. It is particularly appealing to fans of games like Wingspan and 7 Wonders due to its strategic depth and whimsical setting. The game is well-suited for families and players looking to challenge themselves with medium-weight strategy games. While it may take a few games to fully grasp the strategies, the rewarding gameplay and beautiful components make it a worthwhile addition to any board game collection.

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