ASPENS
ASPENS
Designers: Neil Edwards, Luke Roberts | Publisher: Ludivore Games
A tussle over turf
Aspens is a game of arboreal domination. One that hinges on the whims of the wind and sun as players struggle through an age-old battle between the prolific, broad-leafed Aspen and the mighty, coniferous Pine. You are tasked with growing a forest quicker than your opponent: the taller your copse stands, the more territories you claim. Victory is saved for the species that spreads the farthest, regardless of the exact number of leafy sentinels standing when the board is full.
Unpacking Aspens is a bit of a puzzle, but once the modular board is slotted together, the minimal pieces are hard to muddle up or lose. With each player's meeple (treeple?) tucked neatly into cloth bags and only two dice included, it's surprisingly portable. You'll need a steady table to play, but the setup and pack down are artfully simple and the 40-minute maximum playtime is accurate.