Fruit Picking (2020) Board Game

Fruit Picking is a board game released in 2020, designed by René Amthor and illustrated by Korea Boardgames. The game falls under the farming category and incorporates mechanisms such as Mancala, Set Collection, and Solo/Solitaire gameplay. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above, accommodating 1 to 4 players.

Game Components of Fruit Picking

Fruit Island Boards for each player

Farm Cards

Market Cards

Seeds (used for planting and paying costs)

Harvest House

Market Island Board

Beans (matching Farm Card colors)

How To Setup Fruit Picking

To set up Fruit Picking, place the Market Island Board in the center. Each player receives a Fruit Island Board and either copies the starting player’s shuffled Farm Card arrangement or randomizes their own. Shuffle the Market Cards and place four face-up below the Market Island. Each player takes 6 seeds, placing two on each of the three spaces clockwise from the Harvest House. Determine the starting player, typically the one who most recently ate fruit.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Plant Seeds: Choose a farm with at least one seed, pick up all seeds, and redistribute them one seed per space moving clockwise until no seeds are left.

Active Farm: The last space where a seed is placed becomes the Active Farm.

Collect a Market Card: Buy a Market Card matching the Active Farm’s fruit type by paying seeds from the Harvest House based on the card’s fruit count and market position.

Water Plants: Add seeds to the Active Farm if no matching Market Card is available.

Game Objective: Earn a title by collecting sets of Market Cards as specified on the Market Island Board. The game ends when a player completes a set, with tiebreakers based on the number of fruits on Market Cards and seeds on Farm Cards.

Player Experience

Playing Fruit Picking is an interactive and engaging experience, especially with its bright, colorful, and tactile components. Players compete over a tight market, requiring strategic planning to ensure seeds are in the right positions to buy necessary Market Cards. The game involves minimal direct competition beyond competing for Market Cards, making it suitable for family play. However, the random market can sometimes be favorable or unfavorable, adding an element of luck.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Combines mancala-style seed distribution with strategic set collection.

Colorful and Tactile: Bright and interactive components make the game enjoyable.

Solo Variant: Includes a solo mode with tiers of difficulty, adding replay value.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last about 30 minutes.

Cons

Seed Size: Smaller seeds can be difficult to handle, especially for younger players or those with less dexterity.

Market Fluctuations: Random market draws can significantly impact gameplay, sometimes causing frustration.

Strategy vs. Luck: The game balances strategy with luck, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Fruit Picking

Fruit Picking is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic planning and set collection. The game’s mancala mechanics and market dynamics make it engaging and challenging, but the luck factor in market draws can be frustrating. It is particularly recommended for two players to reduce the complexity and randomness introduced by more players. Overall, it’s a fun and educational game that teaches resource management and strategic thinking.

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