Spirits of the Wild (2018) Board Game

Spirits of the Wild is a two-player board game released in 2018 that combines elements of abstract strategy, animals, and fantasy. Designed by Syd Weiler and published by Mattel, Inc., the game has received positive reviews for its beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay mechanics. Players take on the roles of rival animal spirits competing to collect sets of colorful stones representing different elements of nature.

Game Components of Spirits of the Wild

1 bowl

1 Coyote pawn

56 stones in 7 colors

1 cloth bag

2 player boards

12 action cards

6 Spirit Power cards

How To Setup Spirits of the Wild

To set up the game, players start by placing the bowl in the center, filled with the 56 colored stones. Each player receives a player board and the Coyote pawn is placed within reach of both players. The action cards and Spirit Power cards are also distributed. Players then draw stones from the bowl to place on their boards, following specific rules for each animal (turtle, rabbit, salmon, and owl).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Set collection, strategy

Mechanics: Action points, set collection, variable player powers

Game Objective: Collect Spirit Stones to earn points. Each animal has unique requirements for stone placement (e.g., turtle needs stones of the same color, rabbit needs three stones in different colors).

Use of Coyote: The Coyote pawn can be used by the opponent to block moves.

Spirit Power Cards: These cards provide special abilities to shift strategy.

Winning Condition: The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with Coyote wins.

Player Experience

**Spirits of the Wild** offers a fun, brisk, and intuitive gameplay experience. It is an easy-to-learn game but provides enough depth for strategic decisions. The game has a slightly higher than average luck ratio, making each playthrough unique.

Pros

Easy to learn but dynamic gameplay

Engaging strategy for 2 players

Unique animal rules add variety

Spirit Power cards enhance strategic moves

Quick game sessions

Cons

Limited to 2 players

Some players may find the luck factor too high

No replacement parts available

Personal Thoughts on Spirits of the Wild

**Spirits of the Wild** is ideal for those looking for a breezy, relaxing game with interesting decisions. It’s a great introduction to strategy games due to its simple yet engaging mechanics. The game is perfect for couples or friends who enjoy light-hearted, competitive gameplay. However, it may not appeal to players seeking more complex or multi-player experiences.

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