Stone Garden (2014) Board Game

Stone Garden is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2014. It is designed by Koota Yamada and published by New Games Order, LLC. The game is known for its beautiful artwork which was done by Yusuke Mamada. Stone Garden is a game that requires players to use pattern building and tile placement mechanisms to strategically outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Stone Garden

Boards: Temple board and 4 garden boards

Tiles: 80 sand tile tiles (4 sheets worth), which can form semicircles or circles

Stones: Five kinds of stones – Tateishi (Large), Tateishi (Small), Wolverite, Beside Stone, and Funa stone

Cards: 9 cards and 14 name garden cards

Pieces: Four Zen priests and four circle pieces.

How To Setup Stone Garden

To set up the game, start by removing the tiles from their sheets and mixing them well. Then, place the tiles in the garden part of the temple board. Each player chooses a garden board and places it adjacent to the temple board. The Zen priests are positioned on specific tiles on the temple board. Players draw initial tiles and stones to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Pattern Building: Players create patterns with sand tiles to form semicircles or circles.

Tile Placement: Strategic placement of tiles and stones in the garden.

Game Objective

The objective is to create the most aesthetic Zen garden by carefully using sand, moss, and stones.

Points are earned by forming semicircles (1 point per tile) or circles (2 points per tile) with the sand tiles.

Bonus points can be gained from diagonal placement, faux stone placement, and sand pattern evaluations.

Players can also use virtues to perform special actions like “robbery” to take tiles from other players.

Player Experience

Playing **Stone Garden** involves a mix of strategy and aesthetic appeal. Players must balance the placement of tiles and stones to create a harmonious garden while also competing to earn the most points. The game requires thoughtful planning and adaptability, as the availability of tiles and the actions of other players can significantly impact one’s strategy. The game concludes with a detailed calculation of victory points, where virtues accumulated during the game are converted into additional points.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a rich strategic experience with multiple paths to victory.

Aesthetic Appeal: The focus on creating an aesthetically pleasing garden adds a unique and relaxing element.

Interactive: Players can influence each other’s moves through the “robbery” action.

Variety: Each game can be different due to the random draw of tiles and stones.

Cons

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be time-consuming.

Learning Curve: New players may need time to understand the various mechanics and strategies.

Luck Element: The draw of tiles and stones introduces an element of luck that can affect gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Stone Garden

**Stone Garden** is ideal for players who enjoy abstract strategy games and appreciate the beauty of creating a well-designed garden. It is a great choice for those looking for a game that combines strategic thinking with a calming and visually appealing theme. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking quick, light-hearted games or those who prefer games with less complexity in setup and rules.

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