La Viña (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

La Viña is a board game released in 2019 by Devir. Designed by Jose Ramón Palacios and illustrated by Joan Guardiet, La Viña is a card game that falls under the farming category. With a runtime of 30-45 minutes, this game is suitable for 2-5 players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of La Viña

1 Playing board

72 Grape Cards

10 Starting Basket Cards

6 Basket Cards

5 Grape Picker Cards (1 in each player color)

7 Grape Pickers (in 5 colors)

16 Winery Cards

1 Winemaking Co-operative Card

30 Barrel Counters

8 Wildcard Grape Tokens

12 Tool Tokens (4 Billhooks, 4 Boots, and 4 Shears)

67 Prestige Tokens.

How To Setup La Viña

To set up La Viña, place the board in the middle of the table, adjusting the number of spaces based on the player count (five for 2 or 4 players, four for 3 players, and six for 5 players). Shuffle the grape cards and place two face-up on each side of every space, with one card on top of the other. Each player takes a grape picker card and places their worker at the entrance of the vineyard. Players receive starting baskets and barrel counters according to the player count. Winery cards are shuffled and placed face-up, and tool counters and prestige points are laid out. The wildcard grape token and the winemaking co-operative card are placed at the end of the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players move their grape pickers along the vineyard path.

Hand Management: Players collect and manage grape cards in their baskets.

Set Collection: Players gather specific grape varieties to fulfill winery contracts.

Tool Usage: Players can use tools like shears, billhooks, and boots to gain special abilities.

Objective: The goal is to collect and deliver the right grape combinations to wineries to earn prestige points. The player with the most prestige points at the end of the game wins and inherits the vineyard.

Player Experience

La Viña offers a relaxed yet competitive experience, evoking the feeling of a sunny day in a Spanish vineyard. Players navigate the vineyard path, strategically choosing which grapes to pick and when to deliver them to the wineries. The game’s design ensures a balance between risk and reward, making it engaging and thought-provoking without being overly complex. Games typically last under 45 minutes, making it a great fit for a quick game session.

Pros

Compact and Affordable: La Viña is small and inexpensive compared to other winemaking games.

Relaxed Ambiance: The game creates a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere.

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance of strategy and simplicity.

Quick Playtime: Games are typically under 45 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Cons

Limited Replayability: Some players might find the game too light or repetitive.

Luck Element: The random placement of grape cards can introduce an element of luck.

Simple Mechanics: May not appeal to players looking for more complex gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on La Viña

La Viña is ideal for players who enjoy light to medium-weight games with a mix of strategy and luck. It’s perfect for those who want to experience the theme of winemaking without the heavy commitment required by games like Viticulture or Vinhos. The game is great for casual game nights or as a quick filler between more complex games. Its relaxed and evocative atmosphere makes it a delightful addition to any board game collection.

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