Groves (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Groves is a board game released in 2018 that combines deck-building, tile placement, and worker placement mechanics in a fantasy setting. Designed by Michael Cofer, Nolan Nasser, and Jeff Wallace, this game challenges players to cultivate their own magical groves and compete for the favor of the elemental spirits.

Game Components of Groves

Deck of cards

Wooden tokens

Player boards

Score track

Elemental spirit tokens

How To Setup Groves

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Give each player a player board and a deck of cards.

Place the elemental spirit tokens on their designated spots.

Shuffle the deck of cards and draw starting hands.

Begin play!

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Groves, players take turns placing workers to gather resources, planting trees, and summoning creatures to their groves. The goal is to earn the most favor from the elemental spirits by fulfilling their unique requirements and scoring the most points.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging combination of deck-building and worker placement mechanics

Beautiful artwork and thematic elements

Strategic depth with multiple paths to victory

Cons:

Steeper learning curve for new players

Luck of the draw can heavily influence gameplay

Limited player interaction

Personal Thoughts on Groves

Groves is a well-crafted game that offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics and a captivating fantasy theme. The build quality is excellent, with attention to detail in the artwork and components. While the game may not appeal to everyone due to its complexity and limited player interaction, it is worth the time for fans of strategic board games looking for a challenge.

For whom: Fans of deck-building and worker placement games, players looking for a thematic fantasy experience
Who should skip: Casual gamers looking for more social or cooperative gameplay, those who prefer lighter, luck-based games.

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