I love this game too! The cards are gorgeous and the mechanisms let you model an ecosystem in a simple, natural way. The theme feels pasted-on in so many nature-themed games, but here the theme is the game, and it really sings.
Might just start using board games as tables or as shelves for even more board games. I started selling many of them, even good ones we dont play often enough. But their number grows anyway...
There is no reason today to have boardgames with bad art, and this is a perfect example why. One of the most beautiful games I have played, by a very talented artist.Looking forward to see more work of this artist!
While I don't disagree, it's certainly easier to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for art if you already have a well established business. Not every company is in the same position.
Another great review. Your enthusiasm is quite contagious. I just got this for Christmas, and I can't wait for it to hit the table. "This is my Meadow!"
Everything about this game is just so lovely and charming and appealing. I look forward to getting my hands on it. And I hope all those new people brought into boardgaming by Wingspan will discover Meadow.
I bought this game this week and played a 3p game last night. It was fantastic. After one round we were all kind of giddy at seeing our little habitats grow. I loved playing it. However, I think there are some things that could be looked at in expansions. The bench spots on the campfire board are practically useless, even as a last resort. If they added variable bench abilities they would be more lucrative to go to. Something along the lines of 10-15 benches that are randomly selected at the beginning of the game. Like wiping one column or row and then picking a card after the refill. Or playing a card and ignoring one prerequisite (still able to spend 2 cards to ignore on top of that). The other thing that I think I would like to see, other than more cards, would to see landscape or discovery cards get a small point increase because after the first landscape you must take a special action to get more roads. All that being said I loved the game and really hope more content keeps getting added because this shot to the top of my groups favorites.
I'll be getting this game for my grand daughter who is 8 yet she is extremely clever so I think she'll be able to play this game without any problems....teaching her about the environment and ecology and a bit of biology is always a nice thing for kids and with animals involved, I sense she will love the game 🙂
I bought this game recently at a convention mostly because of the artwork, and haven't played it yet. I was a bit afraid Tom was gonna say it sucked but WOW i'm so excited to play it now!
The cards should be 2 to 3 times BIGGER!! Such beautiful artwork and detail should be shown off - I would be happy to take up more table space just to appreciate the artwork that much more.
Just got back from my FLGS which is unfortunately a 30 min drive and saw this game but knew nothing about it. Come home to find this rave review. If only the review had been published a few hours earlier!
The cards are smaller than the usual playing cards. Saw the game and wondered how strong the were and apparently they are not that strong. However, having said all this and being a solo player yes, I might buy it if the price drops from £42.00 !
A nightmare if you sleeve cards. In Japan, no sleeves fit. The closest are big, so cannot use the trays - therefore cannot use the board because the trays slot into the board. Unfortunate design choices. Otherwise the game is good.
A solid game though I will say, don’t play this game solo. The solo mode is incredibly weak. It’s also very chaotic at four players and as I agree with Tom, way too long, wouldn’t say that was a minor negative. I also found the park tiles you had to grab a bit weird, a lot of extra work to get cards which are worth as much as the normal cards. But man is it pretty and pleasant.
I really enjoy this game solo, as do a lot of others as well. Don't let this^ sway you away from this game if you are thinking about getting it for solo.😊
The solo mode is basically this: The AI randomly chooses a slot, takes a card with no restrictions and that's it. That's literally it. So the solo mode is just the AI generating a completely random score, way higher than the tiers in the rulebook and you just try to beat it. If you take out that aspect, then it's just a "beat your own score" affair. That's a pretty weak mode compared to other games.
Haven't played it but seeing a few reviews, I don't really see the hype about it. The mechanic how you pick cards seems nice, but the rest, matching symbols and getting requirements to match more symbols, I dunno, feels very same to me now.
It's not that fun like Tom said, after this review I bought the game but I didn't enjoy the game. I think target points are irrelevent and camp actions are somehow weak actions that you should avoid using them. Lock is unavoidable in the game beacause of many resources that exists and some resources not even show up until the end.
Apart from art, the game gave me impression of very dry boardgame, hmmm I think artwork carries this game. Have to think about, but most likely will skip it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Tom.
This went from a "like to have" to a "must have" after this review.
Every time I play this game it feels like I'm walking on a sunny road. I see all sorts of animals, plants, trees. What Tom said: it makes me happy.
Just looking at the cover starts softening my heart. Wow.
I love this game too! The cards are gorgeous and the mechanisms let you model an ecosystem in a simple, natural way. The theme feels pasted-on in so many nature-themed games, but here the theme is the game, and it really sings.
I keep thinking "I'm done buying board games for a long while"... then this happens.
You’ll never be done.
Always :D
We’ll be done when they stop producing them!
Might just start using board games as tables or as shelves for even more board games.
I started selling many of them, even good ones we dont play often enough. But their number grows anyway...
Great review, thanks Tom. My wife and I love this game. In my opinion one of the best games of 2021. Plays also very well with 2 players.
There is no reason today to have boardgames with bad art, and this is a perfect example why. One of the most beautiful games I have played, by a very talented artist.Looking forward to see more work of this artist!
While I don't disagree, it's certainly easier to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for art if you already have a well established business. Not every company is in the same position.
They are better when they are shiny, I agree.
Another great review. Your enthusiasm is quite contagious. I just got this for Christmas, and I can't wait for it to hit the table. "This is my Meadow!"
Everything about this game is just so lovely and charming and appealing. I look forward to getting my hands on it. And I hope all those new people brought into boardgaming by Wingspan will discover Meadow.
14:30 Review summed up in one word
Com-ple-tely agree with you on this one. Such a great design..!
Buying this later this week...looking forward to playing it.
I bought this game this week and played a 3p game last night. It was fantastic. After one round we were all kind of giddy at seeing our little habitats grow. I loved playing it. However, I think there are some things that could be looked at in expansions. The bench spots on the campfire board are practically useless, even as a last resort. If they added variable bench abilities they would be more lucrative to go to. Something along the lines of 10-15 benches that are randomly selected at the beginning of the game. Like wiping one column or row and then picking a card after the refill. Or playing a card and ignoring one prerequisite (still able to spend 2 cards to ignore on top of that). The other thing that I think I would like to see, other than more cards, would to see landscape or discovery cards get a small point increase because after the first landscape you must take a special action to get more roads. All that being said I loved the game and really hope more content keeps getting added because this shot to the top of my groups favorites.
Really enjoyed my first play of this game. Looking forward to play it again!
This game is so good. The solo mode is also very good.
I just ordered my copy. Thanks, Tom!
I'll be getting this game for my grand daughter who is 8 yet she is extremely clever so I think she'll be able to play this game without any problems....teaching her about the environment and ecology and a bit of biology is always a nice thing for kids and with animals involved, I sense she will love the game 🙂
First time that I ordered a game without watching your review, can't wait to have my hands on it!
I bought this game recently at a convention mostly because of the artwork, and haven't played it yet. I was a bit afraid Tom was gonna say it sucked but WOW i'm so excited to play it now!
Bought my pre-order restock copy last week. Can't wait.
Thanks Time I can’t imagine the cost of the art for this game. Looks great, adding it to my list.
Great game! One of the best two player games no doubt.
Brilliant opening comment. Very true.
The whole review I was getting a wingspan vibe from this, then in the last minute Tom mentions it
yep this game is great ive already played like 8 times with ma friends
Thank you.
wow, amazing review. Officially on my radar!
This game is so beautiful to look at it makes me want to cry.
Preordered this the first day it was available.
Tom is on point with this one.
Life’s to short to play games with bad art. This looks right up my alley.
Totally agree ! Just played it like 15 min ago. It was fun and I like it :) I wouldn't call it fantastic as Tom did but I would recommend it for sure.
I watched the review and ordered Meadow … should arrived before monday
This is a must buy for me now
Thank you! I missed and dismissed this game until now. But it looks like I might get it.
its terrible, save your money
No components drop! I'll try it Sunday as ukge. I like dream home :)
Love this game too! :)
The cards should be 2 to 3 times BIGGER!! Such beautiful artwork and detail should be shown off - I would be happy to take up more table space just to appreciate the artwork that much more.
Just got back from my FLGS which is unfortunately a 30 min drive and saw this game but knew nothing about it. Come home to find this rave review. If only the review had been published a few hours earlier!
Where can you find the wooden wall thing where the games are?
Reminds me of Quadropolis for sure, is it better than Everdell?
Which other games have received a Dice Tower judgement of "Excellent"? All the others I've watched simply receive an "Approved" judgment.
Some others have but it's a pretty rare judgement to get. Some games that get it will put the seal of excellence on their box cover somewhere too
Is it somehow similar to Codex Naturalis?
Word up Tom. Thats how I teach Viticulture. Let the theme carry you.
How big are the cards? They look regular sized here, but I have heard people complain they are too small.
The cards are smaller than the usual playing cards.
Saw the game and wondered how strong the were and apparently they are not that strong.
However, having said all this and being a solo player yes, I might buy it if the price drops from £42.00 !
@@apollonia6656 I actually bought the game, and yes, the cards are small, but not really a problem. I play this only solo, and I love it!
Seems like Splendor with more steps
Wow, a welcoming game in the realm of Wingspan.
A nightmare if you sleeve cards. In Japan, no sleeves fit. The closest are big, so cannot use the trays - therefore cannot use the board because the trays slot into the board. Unfortunate design choices.
Otherwise the game is good.
I tried to set up the components you bend and it broke pretty easily. Definitely a bad first impression
A solid game though I will say, don’t play this game solo. The solo mode is incredibly weak. It’s also very chaotic at four players and as I agree with Tom, way too long, wouldn’t say that was a minor negative. I also found the park tiles you had to grab a bit weird, a lot of extra work to get cards which are worth as much as the normal cards. But man is it pretty and pleasant.
I really enjoy this game solo, as do a lot of others as well. Don't let this^ sway you away from this game if you are thinking about getting it for solo.😊
The solo mode is basically this:
The AI randomly chooses a slot, takes a card with no restrictions and that's it. That's literally it.
So the solo mode is just the AI generating a completely random score, way higher than the tiers in the rulebook and you just try to beat it. If you take out that aspect, then it's just a "beat your own score" affair. That's a pretty weak mode compared to other games.
Haven't played it but seeing a few reviews, I don't really see the hype about it. The mechanic how you pick cards seems nice, but the rest, matching symbols and getting requirements to match more symbols, I dunno, feels very same to me now.
Says it's for 10 and up but the BGG community rates at 8 and up. Is it good for 8 year olds?
It's not that fun like Tom said, after this review I bought the game but I didn't enjoy the game. I think target points are irrelevent and camp actions are somehow weak actions that you should avoid using them. Lock is unavoidable in the game beacause of many resources that exists and some resources not even show up until the end.
Apart from art, the game gave me impression of very dry boardgame, hmmm I think artwork carries this game. Have to think about, but most likely will skip it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Tom.
I keep thinking, "I'm doing buying board games for a long while..." then this happens and reminds me what a great decision I made. Hard pass.
I feel the game mechanics is quite basic...probably give it a pass
Looks good but that cover is pretty meh
Cover ❤️
The cover is what got me to pick it up and look at it when I saw it at the store. Eye catching 👀
Agreed. Really dislike the cover art. The game looks like it has good art so it's disappointing that one was chosen for the cover
The cover is what helped sell the game for me, it's why I picked it up off the shelf in the first place. So I must respectfully disagree on that.
This game is just doesn’t look fun. The art is never enough to convince me.