Planted: A Game of Nature & Nurture
WBG Score: 7.5
Player Count: 2-5
You’ll like this if you like: 7 Wonders, It's A Wonderful World, Sushi Go Party
Published by: Buffalo Games,
Designed by: Phil Walker-Harding
This is a free review copy. See our review policy here
I get a sense that designer, Phil Walker-Harding, likes drafting games. After the success of Sushi Go, a game that has sold over a million copies in more than 20 countries, you would think most designers would explore other mechanics. But Planted shares a lot of the things that make Sushi Go great. A simple design, with easy-to-learn rules, great fun drafting, interesting scoring, and a gorgeous design. Maybe Phil Walker-Harding should make a drafting game about every theme there is! Back to Planted, this is a gorgeous production that feels utterly premium, pimped out, and upgraded, and this is just a basic version. There is no deluxe. This is as standard. But does it play as good as it looks? Let's find out.
How To Set Up Planted
First, place the nursery board in the centre of the table. Then give a player board to each player, who should then place it in front of them on the table. Next, split the 60 Resource cards from the 42 Item cards , all of which have a common card back, shuffle them separately, and then place them down into their designated areas on the nursery board.
Now, locate the six Plant cards labelled “Beginner,” shuffle them, and distribute one to each player. Players should display their Plant card face-up above their player board above the left most space. There are spaces for six planets cards like this. Place the remaining beginner Plant cards back in the box as they will not be used in the game. Next, shuffle all other Plant cards and stack them face-down as a draw pile on the designated area of the nursery board. Draw four Plant cards and display them face-up in the indicated spaces next to the draw pile, forming the nursery row.
Finally, arrange all Light, Water, Plant Food, Green Thumb, and Growth tokens in separate supply piles near the nursery board. You are now ready to play.
How To Play Planted
The game consists of four rounds, with players aiming to acquire resources, decorations, tools, and new plants to score end game points. At the start of each round, players draw six Resource cards and two Item cards from the nursery board's draw piles, keeping their hands secret. Each round comprises of eight turns, where all players simultaneously select one card from their hand to play face-down in their play area. The remaining cards are placed face-down on the table to the left or right of their player board, depending on the round (as shown on each player board). In rounds one and three, hands are placed to the left, while in rounds two and four, they are placed to the right.
Once all players have completed these actions, everyone reveals their chosen card simultaneously. Cards are used for one of four things: either to add to their Tools or Decoration, for in-game powers and end-game scoring, to use as a resource to take immediately, or to use to claim a new plant. To do this, when you reveal the card, you must say "Nursery" as you do so, and then you can take one of the four face-up plant cards. If more than one person does this at once, check the small number on the bottom left of the card, and the player with the lower number picks first. After each card is taken, replenish the nursery with a new card from the draw deck.
At the end of the round, players can now use the resources they have gained to feed their plants. Each plant will need a combination of sun, water, and plant food. You must discard each resource used, and then if you have enough for each plant, you can place a Growth token over the scoring zone of that card to show it has been fed successfully. Cards have one to three scoring zones. Once those zones are full, that card is done for the game. Green thumb tokens can be exchanged for any resource at a ratio of 2:1. Any leftover resources can be discarded in pairs for more Growth tokens to feed the Propagation jars on their player board. There are six of these, and each one with a Growth token on at the end of the game will score you an additional one point.
Players then discard any final unused resources, all cards in their play area, and get ready for the next round. In a three or four-player game, you will need to reuse some of the cards. After the fourth round is over, score up your points from Growth tokens on the propagation jars, any bonuses you have gained from the Decoration cards you collected during the game, and finally, from all Growth tokens placed on the plant cards themselves. Most points win.
Is It Fun? Planted: A Game of Nature & Nurture Board Game Review
Drafting games offer a unique and engaging gameplay experience that challenges players to strategize and think ahead. This game stands out for its simplicity, quick setup, and accessibility, making it perfect for family gatherings or lighter game nights. Sessions last around 20 minutes, but still ask you to make meaningful decisions, appealing to players of all levels.
The game strikes a balance between being family-friendly and appealing to experienced gamers, with intuitive mechanics that offer depth but in a very simple way. Its quick setup and teardown process make it the perfect family-friendly drafting game. This is a gem in table top gaming, delivering a delightful experience in a compact and accessible package.
The drafting process has players deciding between what they want to feed their plants this round, what tools and items will give them the best chance for more points and resource combos. All the while, as players watch the available Plant cards in the Nursery, choosing when to strike and claim a new card. Some of the resource cards have double benefits. You want to draft those quickly. But if there is the perfect Plant card available, maybe you need to shout "Nursery" first, to claim that card. But what if the right Item card has just come up? Choices, choices!
The art featured on the cards is truly captivating and exudes a sense of beauty. The gorgeous pastel style creates a serene ambiance that enhances the overall experience of playing. Each illustration radiates a calming and peaceful vibe, making it easy to immerse oneself in the game.
The attention to detail in the artwork is also commendable, striking a perfect balance between realism and a laid-back aesthetic. The harmonious blend of colours and the gentle strokes used in the designs enhances the visual appeal but also contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment and positive relaxing atmosphere of the game.
But what of the plant cards themselves? The stars of the show!
Well, I suppose plants are quite green, aren't they!
I mean, they are fine. I like them. But it just seems a little bland compared to the rest of the game. Maybe more vibrant pots? Or a background with a little more going on could have been used? I don't dislike the art on the plant cards. But I do think, every time I play, they are a little lacking somewhat.
In general, I find this game quite enjoyable. While it may not introduce any ground-breaking elements, it combines drafting, resource management, and set collection in a pleasantly simple and satisfying way. If it were to be made more complicated with expansions, I think the game would suffer. In its current duration of just over 20 minutes, it is just right. Delightful even. I trust that the developers won't fall into the trap of many other similar games by overcomplicating it, potentially diluting its core appeal. As it stands now, it is flawless. Keep your expectations in check, it is simple in its current state. But go in with these feelings and I suggest you will be pleasantly surprised by the experience.