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A Game That Has Taken Flight
Now and then, a board game comes along that takes the gaming world by storm – captivating the hearts of seasoned board game enthusiasts and neophytes alike. One such game is the unique, immersive, and thoroughly enjoyable Wingspan. Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts and review of the board game Wingspan.
Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, an avid birdwatcher and first-time game designer, Wingspan quickly ascended to the top of the board game world since its release, selling well over a million copies worldwide. The game has won numerous awards and has firmly established itself as a must-have addition to any board game collection. But what makes Wingspan so special? In this detailed review, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of Wingspan – exploring its components, gameplay, and ultimately, why it has become such a beloved game.
What’s in the Box: A Treasure Trove of Components
Unboxing Wingspan feels like opening a treasure chest of beautifully designed components. The box is packed with a abundance of items, each adding a layer of depth and immersion to the game.
At the heart of the game are the bird cards – 170 in total – each representing a different species of bird. Every card is embellished with stunning artwork that brings the bird to life, complete with factual information about the bird’s habitat, wingspan, and a fun fact. This information isn’t just for show – it’s integral to the game, adding an educational element that sets Wingspan apart from other games.
The bird food – a crucial resource in the game – is represented by wooden dice images of berries, fish, rodents, seeds or bugs. These dice are rolled in a charming birdhouse-shaped dice tower, which adds a delightful touch to the game.
In addition to the cards and dice, you’ll find four plastic trays for storing the multitude of pastel-colored bird eggs and food tokens. Each player receives a personal board, which depicts a bird reserve divided into three habitats – forest, grassland, and wetland. The game also includes cubes for tracking player actions, scoresheets for keeping track of points, and a comprehensive rulebook and reference guide. All of these components are neatly organized in a sturdy box, making setup and storage a breeze.
Rules and How It Plays: A Symphony of Strategy and Balance
Wingspan boasts a unique, intricate gameplay that’s all about strategy, balance, and a touch of luck. The game revolves around managing your resources – food, eggs, and bird cards – and strategically placing your bird cards to maximize your points. It’s an ecosystem of its own, with each player trying to create the most prosperous environment for their winged friends.
At the start of the game, each player is given a player mat representing their bird reserve. This mat is divided into three habitats – forest, grassland, and wetland – each corresponding to the type of bird you can attract and the kind of resources you can gather.
On your turn, you have four actions to choose from: play a bird, gain food, lay eggs, or draw bird cards. To play a bird, you need to pay the food cost indicated on the bird card and place it in the corresponding habitat. Importantly, each subsequent bird in a habitat costs additional eggs, simulating the increasing difficulty of populating a crowded habitat.
The ‘gain food’ action allows you to collect food tokens by rolling the food dice through the birdhouse dice tower. The number of food tokens you can collect depends on how many birds you have in your forest habitat. As you add more birds to this habitat, you get to roll more dice, increasing your chances of getting the food you need.
Laying eggs is another crucial action in Wingspan. The number of eggs you can lay depends on the number of birds in your grassland habitat. These eggs are not only used as a currency to play additional birds but also count towards your final score. Some bird powers also revolve around eggs, providing additional ways to score points.
The final action you can take is to draw bird cards. The number of cards you can draw is determined by the number of birds in your wetland habitat. Having a variety of bird cards in your hand gives you more options and flexibility, allowing you to adapt to changing conditions and implement different strategies.
But the real magic of Wingspan lies in its bird powers. Each bird has a unique power that activates when you use a habitat. These powers can help you gather more resources, play more birds, or score more points. The trick is figuring out how to best use these powers to your advantage, creating synergies between your birds and maximizing the efficiency of your actions.
And just when you thought Wingspan couldn’t get any more exciting, there’s an added kick! Each of the four rounds in the game features a friendly competition for bonus points – think of it as a mini-challenge. It could be anything from having the most birds in your grasslands to having the most eggs in specific types of nests.
Each player also has a secret mission card. Maybe you’ll need to gather a bunch of seed-loving birds or perhaps birds with the largest wingspans. Achieving this personal goal will earn you even more points. It’s like your very own bird-watching adventure within the game!
Playing Wingspan feels like conducting an orchestra – each bird card is an instrument, and it’s up to you to make them play in harmony. Some birds are solo artists, providing immediate benefits when played. Others are part of a choir, with their powers triggering every time you activate a habitat. There are also predator birds, which can hunt other birds for food, and brood parasites, which lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.
Managing all these elements is a delicate balancing act that requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a touch of luck. You need to constantly evaluate your options, adapt to changing circumstances, and anticipate your opponent’s moves. Every decision matters and every action has consequences, making Wingspan a truly engaging and immersive experience.
Where to buy Wingspan
If my review of Wingspan sounds intriguing, you can check out this board game on Amazon.
Expanding Your Wingspan: Available Expansions
One of the many great things about Wingspan is its expansibility. The game’s popularity has led to the release of several expansions that introduce new birds from different regions, adding even more variety and depth to the gameplay. Let’s take a brief look at each one.
Wingspan European Expansion
The first expansion released for Wingspan focuses on the regal, beautiful, and varied birds of Europe. As the scope of the world increases, you’re introduced to a whole new array of avian species. What’s particularly interesting about this expansion is the introduction of new bird abilities, including ones that increase interaction between players, or that can be used outside of a player’s turn. In essence, it brings a fresh dynamic to the gameplay while maintaining the charm of the original game.
Wingspan Oceania Expansion
The Oceania Expansion takes you on a journey to the vast and diverse continent of Australia and New Zealand. This expansion introduces new bird cards, bonus cards, more food dice, and a new color of eggs. Of particular note is the inclusion of a new food type – nectar, which adds an exciting twist to the resource management aspect of the game. Birds from this region often have abilities related to nectar, making them a sweet addition to your wildlife preserve.
Wingspan Asia Expansion
The latest expansion, the Asia Expansion, invites players to discover the rich and varied bird life of Asia. It introduces unique bird abilities mimicking the behaviors of various species found in the region. It also provides a new set of player mats, offering exciting new strategies for creating the best wildlife preserves. It’s an excellent addition to Wingspan and a must-have for anyone looking to further explore this fantastic game.
My Final Verdict – Review of The Board Game Wingspan
As I have been come to realize as I review Wingspan, it is more than just a board game – it’s an immersive, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable experience. From the moment you open the box, you’re transported into a world of birdwatching and nature reserve management, where every decision matters and every action has consequences.
Despite its moderate complexity, Wingspan is incredibly engaging. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself engrossed in the game’s intricate strategies and captivating gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking for a new challenge, or a casual player seeking a fun and engaging game, Wingspan has something to offer.
The beautifully designed components, the engaging gameplay, the educational value – all these elements come together to create a game that’s truly special. But what sets Wingspan apart is the passion and love for birds that permeate every aspect of the game. It’s evident in the meticulously researched bird facts, the stunning bird illustrations, and the immersive gameplay that makes you feel like a real bird watcher and reserve manager.
Wingspan is a board game like no other. It’s a game that deserves a place in every board game collection and is sure to bring joy and Board Game Smiles to anyone who plays it. So, fluff up your feathers, spread your wings, and embark on the wonderful journey that is Wingspan. Trust me, it’s a flight worth taking.
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