Wonderland (2018) Board Game

Wonderland is a card game designed by Beth Sobel and released in in 2018. The game is designed for 2 players and has a playtime of 15-30 minutes. It falls under the category of card games and utilizes area majority/influence and hand management mechanics.

Game Components of Wonderland

18 cards (7 for Alice, 7 for the Red Queen, and 4 modifier cards for Alice)

A box to store the cards

A bag to hold the cards

How To Setup Wonderland

To set up the game, each player starts with their respective set of cards (1-7). The Red Queen lays three cards face down in a row, and Alice places three cards perpendicular to the Queen’s, forming a 3×3 grid. This grid will be the scoring area for the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics:
– Area control
– Hand management
– Special card abilities (cake and poison icons)

Game Objective:
– Players aim to add their influence to the grid locations by playing one card face up per turn.
– The player with the highest total in each row and column wins the points on the corresponding card.
– Certain cards have special powers: cake icons double the card’s score, while poison bottle icons nullify the card’s score.

Player Experience

Wonderland offers a quick and engaging experience, with most games lasting about five minutes. The game is easy to learn and can be played in nearly any environment. Players need to strategize based on the special icons on the cards, trying to outmaneuver their opponent. The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to both gamers and non-gamers.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games are brief, typically lasting five minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to all players.

Portable: Comes with a bag to hold the cards, making it easy to carry.

Strategic Depth: Despite its short playtime, the game involves interesting strategic decisions.

Cons

Limited Replayability: The game’s short length and simple mechanics might limit its replay value for some players.

Balance Issue: The variant that gives Alice additional modifier cards can sometimes disrupt the balance of the game.

Personal Thoughts on Wonderland

Wonderland is ideal for those who enjoy quick, strategic microgames. It is perfect for a casual game night or as a filler between longer games. While it may not offer the depth or complexity some gamers crave, its beautiful illustrations and easy-to-learn mechanics make it a delightful addition to any game collection. If you’re a fan of quick-playing games with a touch of strategy, Wonderland is definitely worth checking out.

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