Evergreen (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Evergreen is a puzzle board game released in 2022 by Horrible Guild. Designed by Hjalmar Hach and illustrated by Wenyi Geng, Evergreen is a game that challenges players to strategically cover a grid with tiles to score points. With a runtime of 45 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Evergreen offers a fun and engaging gameplay experience for 1 to 4 players.

Game Components of Evergreen

Player Boards: Each player has their own dual-layer board representing a planet divided into 6 different biomes.

Tokens: Includes Sprouts, small trees, big trees, bushes, lakes, and Sun tokens.

Biome Cards: A deck with 6 cards for each biome and 6 Wild cards, each with Fertility icons and powers.

Cylinders: Used to track positions on the board, including score, power tracks, and season progress.

Fertility Zone: An area to place cards that determine the final scoring for big trees.

How To Setup Evergreen

To set up Evergreen, each player receives a player board and places the necessary cylinders on the tracks. Players agree on the starting position of the Sun token and place it on the same edge of their boards. The Biome card deck is shuffled, and cards are drawn until at least 5 Fertility icons are visible. Non-Fertility cards are returned to the deck, which is then reshuffled, and the visible cards are arranged in the Fertility Zone by biome.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Structure: The game is played over 14 rounds, divided into four seasons with progressively fewer rounds (5, 4, 3, and 2 rounds respectively).

Rounds: Each round consists of three phases: Draft, Actions, and Cleanup.

Draft: Players draft Biome cards, which determine the biome they can develop and provide additional powers.

Actions: Players can plant sprouts, grow small and big trees, plant bushes, place lakes, or use a “Bud” power to gain points.

Cleanup: Players advance the season track, discard used cards, and move the Sun token.

Scoring: Players score points for trees hit by sunlight and for their largest forest of orthogonally-adjacent trees and bushes. At the end of the game, big trees in each biome score points based on the Fertility icons in the Fertility Zone.

Objective: The goal is to build a lush ecosystem, maximizing points from sunlight, forests, and fertile biomes.

Player Experience

Evergreen offers a satisfying, multiplayer solitaire experience where each player focuses on their own planet without direct interference from others. The game feels good to play, with thick, sturdy player boards and a pleasant mechanic of placing pieces. It is environmentally themed, aiming to increase awareness without being overly didactic. Players appreciate the lack of cutthroat competition seen in similar games like *Photosynthesis*, making it a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Pros

Individual Player Boards: Allows for personal game space without direct competition.

Sustainable Theme: Promotes environmental awareness and supports sustainable practices.

Drafting Mechanic: Adds a strategic layer to the game without overwhelming complexity.

Visual Appeal: The game looks impressive with the final setup of trees and other elements.

Accessibility: Suitable for players of various skill levels, including those new to medium-weight games.

Cons

Limited Interaction: Some players might find the parallel play aspect less engaging.

Complexity in Sunlight Scoring: The rules for sunlight scoring can be tricky to explain and learn initially.

Replay Value: While enjoyable, some players may not find it compelling enough for frequent replays.

Personal Thoughts on Evergreen

Evergreen is ideal for players who enjoy strategic, yet relaxed, games with a strong environmental theme. It is particularly suitable for those who prefer having their own game space to manage, as opposed to direct competition on a shared board. The game is a great fit for environmentally conscious gamers and those looking for a game that is easy to learn but still challenging to master. While it may not be the go-to game for every gaming session, it is a pleasant and rewarding experience that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players.

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