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Living Forest (2021) Board Game

ByMichail

Living Forest is a board game released in 2021 by Ludonaute. Designed by Aske Christiansen and illustrated by Apolline Etienne, this game takes players into a mystical forest filled with ancient creatures and environmental themes. With a mix of deck-building, tile placement, and race mechanics, Living Forest offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience for 1 to 4 players.

Game Components of Living Forest

  • Deck of cards featuring various creatures and actions
  • Forest tiles to build the game board
  • Player boards for tracking resources
  • Wooden tokens for tracking player progress
  • Rulebook with detailed instructions

    • How To Setup Living Forest

  • Lay out the forest tiles to create the game board.
  • Shuffle the deck of cards and deal a starting hand to each player.
  • Place the wooden tokens on the player boards to track resources.
  • Follow the setup instructions for any additional game components.
  • Begin the game by following the gameplay mechanics and objectives.

    • Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    In Living Forest, players take on the roles of forest creatures racing to reach the heart of the forest. By strategically playing cards, building paths, and collecting resources, players must navigate the forest and overcome obstacles to be the first to reach the center. The game combines elements of deck-building, tile placement, and push your luck mechanics for an immersive and challenging experience.

    Player Experience

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    Pros:

  • Engaging gameplay mechanics that require strategic thinking
  • Beautiful artwork and theme that immerse players in the world of the forest
  • Replay value with variable player powers and tile layouts
  • Suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels

    • #

    Cons:

  • Components may feel a bit flimsy compared to other board games
  • Learning curve for new players can be steep
  • Limited player interaction may not appeal to all gamers

    • Personal Thoughts on Living Forest

    Living Forest offers a unique and immersive gaming experience that blends environmental themes with fantasy elements. The game’s mix of mechanics keeps each playthrough fresh and engaging, offering a challenge for both casual and experienced gamers. While the build quality may not be the most durable, the overall gameplay and theme make up for any shortcomings. With a moderate price point and availability in both new and used markets, Living Forest is worth a try for fans of deck-building and tile placement games. However, those looking for intense player interaction or complex strategy may want to skip this one in favor of other options.

    Game Components of Living Forest

  • Guardian animal cards: Used to form help lines and provide various elements.
  • Fragment tiles: Gained during gameplay to perform actions.
  • Circle of Spirits board: Where players move to activate bonuses.
  • Protective tree tokens: Placed to save the forest.
  • Fire Varan cards: Penalty cards representing grouchy solitary animals.
  • Magic fragments: Used to get rid of Fire Varan cards.
  • Illustrations: Stunning artwork by Apolline Etienne.

    How To Setup Living Forest

    To set up Living Forest, players begin by preparing the Circle of Spirits board and shuffling the guardian animal decks. Each player chooses a spirit of nature (spring, summer, autumn, or winter) and starts with a basic deck. The Fire Varan deck and fragment tiles are also prepared. The game components are laid out in a way that each player has easy access to their deck, the Circle of Spirits, and the fragment tiles. Setup can be a bit time-consuming, especially in sorting cards, but it is manageable.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Guardian Animal Phase: Players draw guardian animal cards to form help lines using a push-your-luck mechanism.
  • Action Phase: Players perform actions based on the symbols on their help line, such as gaining fragment tiles, attracting guardian animals, extinguishing fires, moving on the Circle of Spirits, or placing protective trees.
  • Onibi Attack Phase: After the action phase, players take penalty cards if they cannot fend off the remaining flames.
  • Victory Conditions: The game ends when a player fulfills one of three conditions: planting 12 trees, extinguishing 12 fires, or gaining 12 flower symbols. The player who achieves this first wins the game.

    Player Experience

    Living Forest offers an engaging and dynamic gameplay experience with a mix of deck-building, push-your-luck, and tile placement mechanics. Players must strategically combine their guardian animals to maximize their actions while managing the risk of drawing penalty cards. The game is praised for its beautiful artwork, high replayability, and the thrilling race to achieve victory conditions. However, it has been noted that the setup and teardown can be a bit tedious, and the game may have some complexity issues for two players.

    Pros

  • Beautiful Artwork: Stunning illustrations by Apolline Etienne add to the game’s immersive experience.
  • High Replayability: Multiple paths to victory and random elements ensure different dynamics in each game.
  • Engaging Mechanics: Combination of deck-building, push-your-luck, and tile placement keeps the game exciting.
  • Awards and Recognition: Won the 2022 Kennerspiel des Jahres and the As d’Or Insider award.

    Cons

  • Setup and Teardown: Can be time-consuming, especially in sorting cards.
  • Complexity for Two Players: Some mechanics, like movement actions, are less engaging with only two players.
  • Wind Action Mechanism: Criticized for being less effective and not well-integrated into the game.

    Personal Thoughts on Living Forest

    Living Forest is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game with depth and replayability. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above and supports 2-4 players, making it a great addition to family game nights. For hobbyists, it offers a light yet engaging experience, though some may find it a bit lightweight compared to more complex games. Overall, Living Forest is a visually appealing and strategically rich game that balances cooperation and competition well, making it a delightful experience for a wide range of players.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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