Windmill Valley is a board game that was released in 2024 by designer Dani Garcia and published by Board&Dice. It falls under the economic and farming categories, where players are tasked with building and managing their own farm in a valley filled with windmills.
Game Components of Windmill Valley
1 Main Board4 Windmill Boards4 Farm Boards36 Windmill Tokens (9 per player color)20 Player Markers (5 per player color)14 “X” Tiles1 Calendar Limit Tile24 Common Wheel Enhancement Tiles12 Uncommon Wheel Enhancement Tiles12 Unique Wheel Enhancement Tiles1 Floodgate Marker1 Water Level Marker3 Neutral Markers40 Tool Tokens200 Tulip Bulbs (40 in each of 5 colors)30 Farm Enhancement Cards6 Starting Farm Enhancement Cards4 Foreign Trade Cards20 Gardener Cards (for Solo Mode)1 Overlay tile (for Solo Mode)4 Player Aids.
How To Setup Windmill Valley
To set up Windmill Valley, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding windmill board, farm board, windmill tokens, and player markers. The main board is placed in the center, and the various components such as wheel enhancement tiles, tool tokens, and tulip bulbs are distributed according to the rules. Players also receive starting farm enhancement cards and set up their initial windmill configurations. The game is ready to start once all components are correctly placed and each player has their starting setup.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Action Selection Mechanism: Players rotate the wheels on their windmill board to select actions.Engine Building: Enhance the windmill wheels by adding enhancements.Tulip Planting: Plant tulips in the fields, which score victory points (VP) at the end of the game.Windmill Construction: Build windmills on the main board to activate rewards from adjacent fields.Hiring Helpers: Hire workers that provide bonuses for certain actions.Contract Fulfillment: Get contracts for endgame scoring.Market and Foreign Trade: Visit the local market and conduct foreign trades to acquire new tulip bulbs and other benefits.Network and Route Building: Build a network of windmills and routes to optimize resources.Solo / Solitaire Game: Includes a solo mode with specific components.Variable Player Powers: Each player has unique abilities and enhancements.Variable Set-up: The game setup changes with each playthrough.
Player Experience
Windmill Valley offers a dynamic and engaging experience with quick turns and a smart action-selection mechanism. Players must balance their actions carefully, choosing between enhancing their windmills, planting tulips, hiring helpers, and fulfilling contracts. The game’s thematic setting and high-quality components add to the immersive experience, making it enjoyable for fans of euro games and those interested in economic and farming themes.
Pros
High-Quality Components: Beautifully crafted wooden windmill tokens, thick colorful tulips, and dual-layered player boards.Engaging Mechanics: Clever action selection and engine-building mechanisms.Variable Gameplay: Each game is different due to variable setup and player powers.Solo Mode: Includes a well-integrated solo mode with specific components.Thematic Setting: Richly themed around the Bloemen Route in the Netherlands.
Cons
Learning Curve: May require a few plays to fully understand the intricacies of the game mechanics.Component Overload: A large number of components can be overwhelming for new players.Playtime Variability: Game length can range from 45 to 90 minutes, which might not be ideal for all players.
Personal Thoughts on Windmill Valley
Windmill Valley is ideal for fans of lighter euro games who enjoy engine-building and resource management. The game’s thematic setting and high-quality components make it a visually appealing addition to any board game collection. It is suitable for players aged 14 and above and supports 1-4 players, making it versatile for both solo and multi-player experiences. If you enjoy strategic gameplay with a charming and historic setting, Windmill Valley is definitely worth checking out.
We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.
