“Wingspan” is an award-winning strategy board game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games. Released in 2019, the game has gained widespread acclaim for its unique theme, elegant mechanics, and captivating gameplay. In “Wingspan,” players assume the roles of bird enthusiasts, competing to attract and care for a variety of bird species in their avian habitats.
Game Components:
The game comes with a visually stunning assortment of components, including bird cards featuring beautifully illustrated species, player mats representing different habitats, wooden dice, food tokens, eggs, and action cubes. The artwork and attention to detail in the game’s design contribute to its overall immersive experience.
Gameplay:
“Wingspan” focuses on resource management, engine-building, and strategic card play. Each player begins the game with a player mat representing a specific habitat (grassland, forest, or wetland) and a set of initial bird cards. The goal is to build a diverse and efficient ecosystem by attracting birds with varying abilities and attributes.
Attracting Birds:
Players take turns performing actions such as drawing bird cards, playing birds to their habitats, gaining food, laying eggs, and activating bird abilities. Bird cards are placed on the player mat to create a tableau, with each bird contributing to the player’s unique engine. Birds have distinct abilities that interact with other cards and resources, allowing players to create synergistic combinations for points and benefits.
Eggs and Food:
Eggs serve as a form of currency, used for various actions and scoring at the end of the game. Players must manage their egg supply carefully. Additionally, food tokens are collected to activate birds’ abilities and to help birds reproduce.
End-of-Round and Scoring:
The game is played over four rounds, each representing a season. At the end of each round, players score points based on the number of eggs laid, birds with specific abilities, and achievements completed. The player with the most points at the end of the fourth round wins.
Variety and Replayability:
One of the game’s strengths is its vast array of bird species, each with unique abilities, art, and flavor text that provides interesting facts about the birds. With different bird cards, abilities, and strategies to explore, “Wingspan” offers high replayability as players experiment with various combinations and approaches.
Expansion and Community:
“Wingspan” has also been expanded with additional content, including expansions that introduce new bird species, player mats, and mechanics, enhancing the game’s depth and complexity. The game has garnered a strong and passionate community of players, with online resources, tournaments, and discussion groups dedicated to sharing strategies and experiences.
The Bottom Line:
“Wingspan” is celebrated for its harmonious blend of engaging gameplay, educational value, and thematic beauty. With its emphasis on strategic decision-making, elegant mechanics, and the joy of birdwatching, the game offers a uniquely immersive experience that appeals to both avid gamers and casual players. “Wingspan” has undoubtedly taken flight as a modern classic in the world of board gaming.
Photos courtesy of Stonemaier Games