PARKS (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

PARKS is a board game designed by Henry Audubon and published by Keymaster Games in in 2019. It is inspired by the Fifty-Nine Parks Print Series, which celebrates the beauty of America’s national parks through art. The game allows players to take on the role of hikers, trekking through different national parks in a quest to collect memories and experiences.

Game Components of PARKS

Trail Tiles: 8 basic tiles and additional advanced tiles that change each season.

Park Cards: Representing various U.S. National Parks, each with its own resource requirements and point values.

Gear Cards: Provide special abilities and resource conversions.

Canteen Cards: Grant resources or powers when filled with water.

Year Cards: Secret goals that offer additional points for meeting specific criteria.

Hiker Tokens: Two hikers per player.

Campfire Token: Allows a player to move to an occupied space once or twice a season.

Resource Tokens: Various resources needed to visit parks and buy gear.

Season Cards: Influence the trail setup and weather patterns each season.

Trailhead and Trail End Tiles: Mark the beginning and end of the trail.

Artwork and Components: Notably, the game features stunning artwork from over 30 artists and high-quality production values, including wooden bits and a molded plastic insert.

How To Setup PARKS

To set up PARKS, start by shuffling and dealing out the trail tiles to form the initial trail. Shuffle the park cards and reveal three face-up in the center. Each player receives a random gear card and two hikers. The gear deck is shuffled, and three gear cards are revealed below each park card. Season cards are shuffled, and one is revealed to set the weather pattern for the first season. Canteen cards are shuffled and left face-down. Resources are placed along the trail according to the pattern indicated on the season card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Earn the most points by visiting parks, taking photos, and meeting the goals on the Year Card.

Gameplay:
– Each player moves one of their two hikers forward on the trail to an unoccupied space.
– Players can take actions based on the tile they land on, such as collecting resources, taking photos, or exchanging resources.
– The campfire token allows players to move to an occupied space once or twice a season.
– Players can visit parks by spending the required resources, buy gear cards to gain special abilities, or reserve parks for later.
– The game is played over four seasons, with the trail tiles being reshuffled and a new advanced tile added each season.
– At the end of the fourth season, players tally their points from parks visited, photos taken, and Year Card goals met.

Player Experience

PARKS offers a smooth and engaging gameplay experience that is accessible to a wide range of players. The game’s strategic depth comes from managing two hikers, deciding when to move forward aggressively or hang back to collect resources, and optimizing gear and park visits. The changing trail each season and the variety of gear cards add a layer of unpredictability and replayability. However, the game can become crowded at higher player counts, which may lead to some frustration.

Pros

Stellar Production Values: High-quality artwork and components.

Smooth and Engaging Gameplay: Easy to learn but with strategic depth.

Good Variety: Changing trail and numerous gear cards ensure varied gameplay.

Family and Gateway Game: Excellent for both families and new gamers.

Thematic Engagement: Beautifully captures the spirit of U.S. National Parks.

Cons

Crowded at Higher Player Counts: Can become frustrating with five players.

No Gear Market Sweep: Gear cards can languish if no one is interested.

Goal Balance: Some goals may be less desirable due to limited park visit opportunities.

Personal Thoughts on PARKS

PARKS is an excellent choice for those who enjoy lighter, resource-management games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suited for families, new gamers, and anyone interested in U.S. National Parks. The game’s accessibility and strategic elements make it a great addition to any collection, although it may not be the best fit for players seeking highly complex or competitive games. With its beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay, PARKS stands out as a well-designed and enjoyable experience.

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