The Gardens (2022) Board Game

The Gardens is a card game designed by Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert, with artwork by Kerri Aitken. It was released in 2022 by Grail Games. The game is designed for 1-4 players, with a recommended player count of 2. Players take on the role of gardeners competing to create the most beautiful garden.

Game Components of The Gardens

Cards

Tiles

Tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup The Gardens

Shuffle the cards and place them face down in the center of the playing area.

Place the tiles in a grid formation.

Give each player a set of tokens.

Determine a starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In The Gardens, players take turns drafting cards to place tiles in their garden. Players aim to create the most aesthetically pleasing garden by strategically placing tiles and collecting sets of matching tiles. The game ends when all tiles have been placed, and the player with the most points from their garden layout wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Simple rules and easy to learn.

Strategic depth with tile placement and set collection.

Beautiful artwork and theme.

Cons:

Limited player interaction.

Luck of the draw can heavily influence the game.

Personal Thoughts on The Gardens

The Gardens is a visually appealing game with a relaxing theme that is suitable for players of all ages. The gameplay mechanics are straightforward, making it accessible to both casual and experienced gamers. However, the lack of player interaction may not appeal to those looking for a more competitive experience. Overall, The Gardens is a solid card game that is worth trying out for fans of tile placement and set collection games.

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