Wilk, Koza i Kapusta (2012) Board Game

Wilk, Koza i Kapusta, which translates to Wolf, Goat, and Cabbage, is a card game designed by Valéry Fourcade and Jean-Philippe Mars. It was released in 2012 and is suitable for players aged 6 and above. The game features cute animal illustrations and revolves around the classic river-crossing puzzle where players must transport a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage across a river without any of them being left alone together.

Game Components of Wilk, Koza i Kapusta

2 rulebooks (in Chinese and English)

6 ship tokens

16 ship cards

40 passenger cards (including wolves, goats, cabbages, and a shepherd dog)

12 action cards (such as seasickness, strong wind, and shipwreck)

1 island card

How To Setup Wilk, Koza i Kapusta

To set up the game, players first lay out the island and ship boards. The ship cards are shuffled and placed near the island board. Each player chooses a color and receives the corresponding passenger cards. Players draw four initial cards and place three special action cards face down in front of them. The remaining cards form a draw pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Structure: Players take turns drawing a ship card, which determines the type of ship they can place their passenger card on. Two “joker” ship cards allow players to place their card on any ship.

Passenger Placement: A player selects a card from their hand, shows it to all players, and places it face down on the designated ship.

Food Chain Resolution: If a ship has three passenger cards, it docks at the island, and the “food chain” is resolved (wolf eats goat, goat eats cabbage, unless a shepherd dog is present).

Action Cards: Players can use special action cards to influence the game, such as causing seasickness, strong wind, or a shipwreck.

Game End: The game ends when one player has no cards left in their hand or draw pile. The player with the most points from the cards that reached the island wins.

Player Experience

**Wilk, Koza i Kapusta** is designed to be an engaging and simple game, particularly appealing to families. The game includes a simplified family variant for younger children, where cards are placed face up and scoring is based on the number of cards transported rather than their point value. In tests, the game was most successful with children aged 8-12, who quickly grasped the rules and enjoyed the strategic elements. Adults found the simplified version too easy but appreciated the standard version’s complexity.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game features charming graphics, especially the silly-looking goat.

Easy to Learn: The rules are clear and understandable, even for non-gamers.

Family-Friendly: The game includes a variant suitable for young children.

Strategic Depth: The standard version offers enough complexity to engage older children and adults.

Cons

Card Durability: The small and soft cards can be easily damaged by younger children.

Limited Player Interaction in Two-Player Mode: The game can become too predictable and less engaging with only two players.

Personal Thoughts on Wilk, Koza i Kapusta

**Wilk, Koza i Kapusta** is an excellent choice for families looking for a fun and educational game. It teaches strategic thinking and memory skills while maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere. The game is particularly well-suited for children aged 8-12, who can fully appreciate its mechanics and challenges. For younger children, the simplified variant makes it accessible and enjoyable. While it may not be the go-to game for hardcore gamers, it serves perfectly as a casual, family-friendly option.

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