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Undergrove (2024) Board Game

ByMichail

Undergrove is a board game released in 2024, designed by Beth Sobel and published by Alderac Entertainment Group. It falls under the categories of educational and environmental games, focusing on teaching players about nature and the importance of conservation.

Game Components of Undergrove

  • Rule book
  • Player Boards
  • Quick Sprout Guides
  • Bonus Tiles
  • Carbon Track Board
  • Goal Cards
  • Goal Track Disks (4 per player)
  • Seedling Tokens (6 per player)
  • Tree Tokens (4 per player)
  • Root Tokens (18 per player)
  • Activation Tokens (4 per player)
  • Carbon Track Discs (1 per player)
  • Mushroom Tiles
  • First Player Marker
  • Wooden Black Disks – Carbon
  • Wooden Blue Cubes – Nitrogen
  • Wooden Orange Cubes – Phosphorus
  • Wooden Purple Cubes – Potassium
  • Solo Cards
  • Scorepad.

    How To Setup Undergrove

    To set up Undergrove, players begin by preparing the shared forest area with mushroom tiles, each having diverse abilities. Each player receives their player board, tree tokens, seedling tokens, and other necessary components. The Carbon Track Board and Goal Cards are placed within reach of all players. The game also includes setting up the mycorrhizal network by placing the root tokens and activation tokens accordingly. The exact setup can be found in the rule book provided with the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Resource Trading:** Players trade carbon for essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium through the mycorrhizal network.
  • Seedling Placement:** Players place seedlings in advantageous positions to score points.
  • Mushroom Interactions:** Players engage with mushroom tiles to leverage their abilities.
  • Cooperative Competition:** Players work together to build a shared forest but compete to grow the best set of seedlings.

    Objective

    The objective is to establish seedlings and help them develop the most valuable symbiotic relationships with mushrooms. The player who grows the best set of seedlings wins the game.

    Player Experience

    Undergrove offers a unique and engaging experience, particularly for those interested in nature and symbiotic relationships between fungi and trees. Players take on the role of mature Douglas-fir trees, navigating a landscape adorned with 48 hand-painted mushroom tiles. The game combines easy-to-learn mechanics with deep strategy, making it appealing to both casual and experienced board game enthusiasts. The beautiful artwork by Beth Sobel and the innovative gameplay mechanics enhance the overall player experience.

    Pros

  • Educational Value:** The game teaches players about the mycorrhizal network and the symbiotic relationships between fungi and trees.
  • Beautiful Artwork:** Features hand-painted mushroom tiles and delightful illustrations.
  • Deep Strategy:** Offers a balance of simple mechanics and complex strategy.
  • Nature-Themed:** Appeals to players interested in nature and ecology.

    Cons

  • Kickstarter Issues:** Some backers have reported issues with shipping notifications and delays.
  • Complexity:** While the game is easy to learn, mastering it may take some time.
  • Availability:** Initially had limited availability, with some players experiencing delays in receiving their copies.

    Personal Thoughts on Undergrove

    Undergrove is ideal for players who appreciate nature-themed games, are interested in learning about ecological relationships, and enjoy cooperative-competitive gameplay. It is suitable for players aged 10 and above and supports 1 to 4 players. The game’s unique blend of science, strategy, and beautiful artwork makes it a standout addition to any board game collection.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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