Takenoko is Game About Caring for a Panda

Takenoko was one of the first games I bought when I first discovered the world of euro games.  It is very pretty and cute.  It's a game I really enjoy playing even if I lose.  Here is my list of good things I like about it:

1. 1.  Players create a garden by laying tiles throughout the game.
2. 2.  Each turn, players roll one die that designates one action they can take and then they get to choose two other actions from 5 different options:  place a garden tile, get a card, grow bamboo, have panda eat bamboo or take an irrigation stick.
3. 3.  Scoring is very straight forward.  Points shown on task cards are added up and players with the most wins.
4. 4.  Players lay down cards that they have completed so everyone can see how many tasks each has done and what their points are along the way.
5. 5.  Game goes fairly quickly when players are familiar with it.
6. 6.  There are lots of options on a turn so luck is minimal.  Of course, whenever cards are involved, there is always some luck; however, it is easy enough to get cards.
7. 7.  The set up is very easy and quick.
8. 8.  It's a pretty easy game to teach.

I can't think of anything I don't like about this one, just that sometimes I feel like playing something heavier that involves more planning.

Have you ever played this one?  If so, what do you think of it?

Here is a short video explaining how to play:  

My Current Favorite Game Is Ark Nova

Normally, I do not purchase games until I have played them first; however, I made an exception for Ark Nova.  I found it on Amazon for $58 after using my cashback bonus of $16 and ordered it for my husband to give it to my for my birthday.  After getting to play it at a library game day, I couldn't wait and asked him to give it to me for sweetest day instead.  My birthday wasn't until December so this way I got it two months earlier and have been playing it ever since!  

I like the theme of building a zoo with animals, buildings, conservation projects and sponsors.  It has a very unique scoring system with two scoring tracks:  conservation points and appeal points.  When the first player whose marker on the appeal track passes their marker on the conservation track, the end of game is triggered.  The other players get one last turn and whoever has the biggest difference between their markers that passed each other wins.

Players have five action cards (Association, Sponsors, Animals, Building, Cards) and can choose to play any of them when it is their turn.  Forming associations with zoos in other countries gives you discounts when placing animals from that country as well as giving opportunities to advance on the conservation track.  The Association action also helps players meat research requirements necessary to play certain cards and can give allow a player to hold 5 cards instead of only 3 at the end of rounds.  Sponsors give various benefits that can help players advance on both tracks.  Animals primarily give appeal points (more animals and different bigger animals attract more people to come to your zoo).  Acquiring animals to fulfill conservation projects is another way to get conservation points.  Players build enclosures based on animal sizes before they can place animals.  The cards action gives players more cards in their hand.  At the beginning, all players get two secret objective cards that give opportunity to earn conservation points at the end of the game but must discard one when any player reaches 10 conservation points.

When playing with beginners, they get an easier map that gives bigger benefits than some others.  Everyone can play with the same map or advanced players can choose from 9 other different maps that give different benefits.  This game works best with 2 or 3 players but I also enjoy playing the solo version if I have no one to play against.  The game lasts between 2-3 hours depending on the number of players.  

There are lots of decision to make along the way and players must manage their money to build enclosures and play the animals they want to put into their zoos.  I love playing this because it's fun to see your zoo develop.  Even if I don't win, this is a game I enjoy.  It's a challenge to make your turns count and be efficient.  It takes some planning ahead and is a race to get the conservation projects done ahead of your opponents if possible to get a choice of additional bonuses.

This is a game I play a lot.  I certainly got my money's worth from this one!  It can be a bit intimidating at the beginning because there are a lot of rules; however, they all make sense and it's worth sticking with it.  My one friend said "I really like this game!  I wish I had learned it sooner so  I could have been playing it all this time."

Check out this video to learn to play and get some tips:

So, have you played Ark Nova?  What do you think of it?  What is currently your favorite game?

10 Reasons Why I Like Playing Board Games

I enjoy playing board games.  There are so many more now than when I was a kid.  Pictured here is my collection but it is small compared to others I've seen posted on Facebook board gamer groups.  Growing up, my mom would encourage us to play board games at least once a week.  She loved Scrabble but we also played Rook, Canasta, Monopoly, poker, Pig, I Doubt It, Life, Chess and more.  There were four of us kids and every Christmas, each of us would get a new game for about five or six Christmases.  

I gave some of those old ones away to make room for my new ones.  I plan on blogging about different games in upcoming weeks because now that I am retired and have lots of free time, I invite people to come and play several days a week!

Here are several reasons why I love to play games:

1.  I am competitive.

2.  It builds friendships, it's very social.

3.  There are a lot of different types so I don't get bored.

4.  I like to share what I have with others so they can have fun too.

5.  I feel a sense of accomplishment if I build something like a zoo in Sanctuary or Ark Nova, like an estate in Obsession, like a cool forest in Forest Shuffle, like a city in Foundations of Metropolis or Foundations of Rome, like a vineyard business in Viticulture or a city in Everdell or Akropolis.

6.  It helps keep my mind active.  Some games involve planning ahead or thinking of words.  Learning new games helps fight against Dementia and Alzheimers.

7.  Sometimes, I just want to relax and have some fun with games of luck like Quacks, Paper World, Pit or UNO.

8.  Sometimes, if I don't feel like watching TV or going to bed, I'll play a solo version of a game.  Games I have that have solo versions included are First in Flight, Ark Nova, Sanctuary, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Dune Imperium, Wyrmspan, Everdell and Viticulture.

9.  I like a challenge.  

10.  It is cheap entertainment.  My most expensive game is Obsession incl. expansions for $170 but most are in the $40 or less range.  Some games can last from 1-4 hours depending on the game and number of players.  If you compare the cost of eating out, going to the theatre or movies, attending a professional sporting event, or golfing or bowling, I get more for my buck in hours of entertainment with board games.

So, let me know if you like playing board games and which ones or why in the comments.