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In Forests of Pangaia, you’ll step into the role of a nature spirit and grow yourself a magical, towering forest. Sounds peaceful, right? Well, sure, it can be—if you're playing solo. But toss in a few friends, and suddenly you're vying for territory, nabbing resources, and trying to pull off sacred rituals faster than your rivals. There’s some real strategy at play here, but it's all wrapped up in a dreamy, nature-filled theme that’ll have you admiring the board as well as considering how to outwit your rivals.
Grow your forest, but keep an eye on your neighbours
As the game opens your nature spirit is joined with only a single tiny seed, but in time this will grow and multiply until you have a veritable forest of towering trees, which spread out to claim space for you. It’s gradual and satisfying but it’s not just some chilled out tree-planting simulation, as there's some serious strategy behind every decision you make.
Your main actions revolve around growing trees, spreading seeds, and completing sacred rituals. The latter are where points and victory lie, but they require careful planning and close attention to the board layout. Some involve tracing a path across the landscape, others growing a copse from a particular space, while the final category require growing a towering single tree in the correct environment.
But, casting a ritual has consequences: it will earn you points but it also degrades your trees – small trees will vanish from the board and may be replaced by a spare seed while larger trees will have treetops removed and replaced on your player board. In this there is ebb and flow, but also careful consideration of how you can trigger rituals which use your opponents’ trees instead of degrading all of your own. In some ways it reminds me a little of Knarr – less of an engine builder, but still this idea of growing a presence on the table before sacrificing some of it in the most efficient way to score. Managing the ebb and flow, perfecting the timing of when to play a ritual and using your opponents’ presence as well your own all make for an engaging decision space.
The early game can feel like a bit of a slow burn. You’re just getting started, dropping seeds, gathering resources and watching your trees grow. But once the forest starts filling up, the tension really grows and there is some really important interaction. You’ll be racing to complete those rituals and block others from expanding too quickly. There’s a nice balance between nurturing your own forest and messing with everyone else’s plans.
A visual treat you’ll want to frame
In all of this you are presented with a visual feast. The art and design are sumptuous: wooden trees and treetops are the star of the show, crafted to immerse you in this magical world. The board is vibrant and detailed, and the artwork on the different cards, particularly the rituals and achievements, is beautiful.
However, this isn’t a case of style over substance - the art serves the gameplay too. The board is clear and easy to navigate, and everything from the tokens to the powers is instantly recognizable. It’s a deft balance of style and function that makes the game not only attractive but also easy to follow, even when the board starts filling up with pieces.
Production values are equally high: thick, sturdy cardboard for your player boards and tokens, satisfyingly hefty wooden trees, treetops and seeds and cards printed on high-quality stock with a linen finish, which are built to last.
The rulebook is clear and well-organized, which is always a blessing and there’s even a helpful guide for those who want to speed up the gameplay once they’ve got the basics down.
So, who wants to be a nature spirit?
The game plays with 1 -4, but it really hits its stride with 3 to 4 players. With 2 it’s still very enjoyable but there is less competition for space and the race for rituals isn’t as fierce. At three or four, though, things get much more interesting. You’ve got more spirits fighting for control of the forest, which leads to some clever tactical play and tension around the board.
As for the solo game, it’s surprisingly solid! The bot doesn’t make random moves, so you’ll need to plan carefully to outmaneuver it. If you enjoy solo gaming and don’t mind a gentler pace, Forests of Pangaia will give you a meditative, rewarding experience.
If you like games that mix careful planning with tactical interaction, Forests of Pangaia will hit that sweet spot. It's a game for players who appreciate thoughtful, strategic moves and don’t mind a bit of downtime as they ponder their next steps. That said, if you prefer fast-paced games with constant action, this one might not be the best fit. The early rounds can feel a bit slow, and the game encourages a more deliberate play style.
Families who love games with a strong visual presence will enjoy Forests of Pangaia too, though younger players or those who prefer lighter fare might find the strategic depth a bit daunting. It’s not overly complex, but there’s enough going on that it rewards careful planning and forethought. For board gaming groups who like to think a few moves ahead, this game will definitely keep you engaged, and you’ll appreciate how everything comes together in the final rounds when strategy really counts.
A nature lover’s strategic dream?
Forests of Pangaia is a serene yet strategic experience, where the competition is real, but the theme is so charming that it never feels too aggressive. If you're into games that combine thoughtful strategy with jaw-dropping visuals, you’ll probably love Forests of Pangaia. It’s not the fastest-paced game out there, but for the right group of players, it’s one that’ll keep hitting the table. And who doesn’t want to take a break from the usual heavy conflict games and grow a magical forest for a change.