presentation

Kodama

The Tree Spirits

As caretakers, we need to keep the forest healthy and lush for the Kodama, the tree spirits. In three cultivation periods, you cultivate your tree, with the right mixture of flowers, insects and branch arrangements, to keep your Kodama as happy as you can. Each Kodama card tells you what makes the spirit happy. There are trunk cards, branch cards, Kodama cards, Kodama Sprout cards and Decree cards with additional rules for the cultivation periods of Spring, Summer and Fall.

You begin with a trunk card at the edge of the table and four Kodama cards in hand, four branch cards are on display. Each season comprises a Decree phase, a Growing phase and a Kodama Phase. First you announce the Decree of the period for branch arrangements. In the Growing phase, all take turns to place a branch card from the display into their tree, bark to branch, long or short edge and even out of alignment, but only adjacent to one more card and not covering features of the adjacent card. Each card is instantly scored for all features in a continuous, uninterrupted line and you cannot place it if you would score more than 10 points per turn for features. Finally, you add a branch card to the display. When all players have placed four cards, you choose one of your four Kodama cards and score it. After three such rounds you win with most points. The game also features a set of Kodama Sprout Cards for use in games with younger children.

Kodama is a very beautiful and nice family game; the age limit is much too high; the game only demands careful checking when placing cards and scoring cards; the easier Kodama cards are an attractive addition.

Players: 2-6

Age: 14+

Time: 45+

Designer: Daniel Solis

Artist: Kwanchai Moriya, Scott Hartman

Price: ca. 24 Euro

Publisher: Indie Board & Cards 2016

Web: www.indieboardsandcards.com

Genre: Arranging cards for points

Users: For families

Version: en

Rules: en fr

In-game text: yes

Comments:

Very attractive design

Simple basic rules

Some diligence needed when placing Cards

Comes with a set of cards for younger players

Compares to:

Placement games with continuing patterns and irregular display

Other editions:

Capsicum (fr), Devir (es, announced), Kosmos (de, announced)

Chance (pink): 1

Tactic (turquoise): 2

Strategy (blue): 0

Creativity (dark blue): 0

Knowledge (yellow): 0

Memory (orange): 0

Communication (red): 0

Interaction (brown): 2

Dexterity (green): 2

Action (dark green): 0