Fruit Picking (2014) Board Game

Fruit Picking is a fun and engaging board game released in 2014 by ChagaChaga Games. Designed by Jun-ichi Shinde, the game incorporates elements of abstract strategy and farming into its gameplay. With a runtime of 15-30 minutes and suitable for players aged 6 and up, Fruit Picking offers a unique gaming experience for 2-4 players.

Game Components of Fruit Picking

Fruit Island Boards: Each player receives a board with seven wells to hold seeds and Farm Cards.

Farm Cards: These cards are shuffled and placed into each well on the Fruit Island Boards.

Seeds: Used for planting and collecting Market Cards.

Market Cards: Depict different types of fruit and are used for set collection.

Market Island Board: Displays the available Market Cards and the cost for each.

Harvest House: A storage area for seeds used to pay for Market Cards.

How To Setup Fruit Picking

To set up Fruit Picking, start by placing the Market Island Board in the center. Each player receives a Fruit Island Board and shuffles their Farm Cards, placing one in each well except the top slot (the Harvest House). Other players copy the starting player’s board arrangement. Alternatively, each player can randomize their boards. Shuffle the Market Cards and place four face-up below the Market Island. Each player takes six 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

Planting Seeds: Players pick up all seeds from a Farm Card on their island board and redistribute them one by one onto the next Farm Cards until no seeds are left. The last Farm Card seeded becomes the “Active Farm”.

Using the Active Farm: Players can either Water Plants by adding seeds to the Active Farm or Collect a Market Card if it matches the fruit on the Active Farm and they have enough seeds to pay the cost.

Collecting Market Cards: Players pay seeds from the Harvest House equal to the number of fruits on the card plus its position on the board. The goal is to complete sets of Market Cards shown on the Market Island Board.

Player Experience

Fruit Picking offers a strategic yet sometimes grueling experience, especially with more players. The game is most enjoyable with two players to maintain a short and strategic gameplay. Players need to think ahead and manage their seeds efficiently to buy the right Market Cards. The game can be frustrating when Market Cards do not match the fruits on the players’ boards, forcing them to adjust their strategies repeatedly.

Pros

Satisfies Mancala Enthusiasts: Combines mancala mechanics with a farming theme.

Challenging Solo Variant: Includes a solo mode for solo players.

Strategic Depth: Requires players to plan and adjust their strategies based on the Market Cards available.

Interactive and Colorful: Engaging with a tactile component of moving seeds around.

Cons

Grinding Gameplay: The need to constantly water plants and adjust to changing market conditions can be tedious.

Random Market Fluctuations: Market Cards can stall, forcing players to spend turns just watering plants.

Too Random with Multiple Players: The game becomes less predictable and more frustrating with more than two players.

Personal Thoughts on Fruit Picking

Fruit Picking is ideal for those who enjoy mancala and are looking for a game with a farming backdrop. It is best suited for players who appreciate strategic planning and are willing to navigate the challenges posed by the random Market Cards. While it can be frustrating at times, the game offers a unique blend of mechanics that make it engaging and challenging, especially in its solo variant. If you can manage the grind and random elements, Fruit Picking can be a rewarding addition to your board game collection.

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