Orchard Ocean (2019) Board Game

Orchard Ocean is a board game released in 2019 by designer Masaki Suga and artist Saori Shibata. Published by analog lunchbox, this game falls under the farming category and features tile placement as its main mechanism. With a playing time of 60-90 minutes, Orchard Ocean is designed for 3-4 players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of Orchard Ocean

Game board

4 player boards

60 fruit tiles

36 octopus tiles

12 shark tiles

4 boat pawns

Rulebook

How To Setup Orchard Ocean

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Give each player a player board and a boat pawn.

Shuffle the fruit, octopus, and shark tiles separately and place them face down near the game board.

Each player takes turns placing their boat pawn on a starting island.

The first player is the one who most recently visited the ocean.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Orchard Ocean, players take on the role of farmers navigating the ocean to harvest fruit. The objective is to collect as much fruit as possible while avoiding the dangerous octopus and shark tiles. Players strategically place tiles on their player boards to maximize their fruit collection and score points based on the types of fruit harvested.

Player Experience

Pros

Engaging tile placement mechanics

Strategic decision-making

Beautiful artwork by Saori Shibata

Cons

Limited player interaction

Luck-based gameplay with tile draws

Personal Thoughts on Orchard Ocean

Orchard Ocean offers a unique blend of farming and tile placement mechanics that appeal to players looking for a strategic challenge. The game’s build quality is solid, with vibrant artwork that enhances the gameplay experience. While the game’s pricing may vary, Orchard Ocean is worth considering for those who enjoy tile placement games and farming themes.

In terms of availability, Orchard Ocean can be found in both new and used condition, making it accessible to a wide range of players. For those seeking alternatives or similar games, titles such as Isle of Skye and Cottage Garden may offer similar gameplay experiences. Ultimately, Orchard Ocean is worth your time if you enjoy strategic board games and are looking for a fresh take on the farming genre. However, players who prefer high levels of player interaction may want to skip this title.

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