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Description
Arboretum is a strategy card game for 2-4 players, aged 10 and up, that combines set collection, tile-laying and hand management while playing in about 25 minutes. Players try to have the most points at the end of the game by creating beautiful garden paths for their visitors.
The deck has 80 cards in ten different colors, with each color featuring a different species of tree; each color has cards numbered 1 through 8, and the number of colors used depends on the number of players. Players start with a hand of seven cards. On each turn, a player draws two cards (from the deck or one or more of the discard piles), lays a card on the table as part of her arboretum, then discards a card to her personal discard pile.
When the deck is exhausted, players compare the cards that remain in their hands to determine who can score each color. For each color, the player(s) with the highest value of cards in hand of that color scores for a path of trees in her arboretum that begins and ends with that color; a path is a orthogonally adjacent chain of cards with increasing values. For each card in a path that scores, the player earns one point; if the path consists solely of trees of the color being scored, the player scores two points per card. If a player doesn't have the most value for a color, she scores zero points for a path that begins and ends with that color. Whoever has the most points wins.
Year Published
2015
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 17
This page: 17
Sentiment:
pos 13 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–17 of 17
Video iPBZKi_Bbb4
Drive Thru Review game_review at 7:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12101 · mention_pk 35435
Click to watch at 7:33
Overall sentiment (raw)
very positive
Pros
- Efficient mechanics
- Strategic depth
- Beautiful illustrations
- Quick gameplay
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Card-based tree collection
- Tree garden/arboretum
Comparison games
- Lost Cities
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Strategic card management and planning
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Do it for the love of games first
- Reviewers are not special at all
- You should want to play a game with your friends
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 5H_6XlF8d64
Actual Oh top_50_list at 17:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11597 · mention_pk 34074
Click to watch at 17:27
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep strategic thinking from a compact, elegant system
- beautiful artwork and theme integration
- interesting balance between building lines and denying others scores
Cons
- hand size feels tiny; players must be mindful of what to keep
- can be frustrating if you misjudge which trees to pursue
Thematic elements
- tree types and gardening strategy
- arbors and garden planning
- calm, analytic, aesthetic gardening theme
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Draft cards representing trees and place them into arboretum paths.
- end-of-game scoring based on highest card of each type — You only score a tree type if you hold the highest card for that type.
- set collection and path building — Create paths of trees and connect types to maximize scoring bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's interactive and pushes you to think about what others are doing
- there's so many cool formatic touches to this game
- it's one of the most challenging guessing games
- it's the purest example of a hidden movement game
- there's Jeopardy your characters could die
- I love word games
- Clank is my favorite deck building game because of that push or luck
- it's a completely different party game that blindfold surprisingly just adds something
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video rMx-OXIT0_A
Going Analog game_show at 3:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10219 · mention_pk 30142
Click to watch at 3:15
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful components and elegant scoring
Cons
- Can be punishing if misplayed
Thematic elements
- card drafting and pattern scoring
- Forest arboretum with trees
- abstract strategy
Comparison games
- Dixit
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Draft and play tree cards to create a scoring sequence.
- set collection / hand management — Balance color trees across rounds for scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Xsalh1c5lVM
actualol game_review at 10:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7534 · mention_pk 22413
Click to watch at 10:15
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Innovative scoring mechanism
- Strategic depth
- Thematic design
Cons
- High complexity
- Potential for frustration
Thematic elements
- Creating a beautiful garden
- Tree planting
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card management — Creating tree runs, discarding strategically
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- More than any video I've ever made I would swear by these games
- We've played over a thousand games together
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Av5_XlBbIXU
Things Get Dicey general_discussion at 2:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6647 · mention_pk 19760
Click to watch at 2:28
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful, thematic card-driven experience
- Elegant interaction between drafting and placement
Cons
- Can have a learning curve for new players
- Scoring can feel fiddly in early plays
Thematic elements
- botanical cultivation, beauty of curated landscapes
- A seasonal, garden-themed card game where players craft plantings in an arboretum.
- abstract, non-narrative
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Players manage a hand of cards to optimally place trees to score points.
- pattern/sequence scoring — Scores based on creating specific card sequences or patterns in your garden.
- set collection / card drafting — Drafting and selecting tree cards to assemble a high-scoring garden.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Deck the halls with pretty card game
- oh come play Katan uh game of Island settlers gain wheat sheep wood brick and ore
- I am so glad you're going Christmas caroling with me this year
- World series of board games happening in Las Vegas in September 2023 with a grand prize of 25,000
- this isn't an excuse to talk about board games
- oh hey are you the best gamer in the world wanna find out for sure then why not check out the world series of board games
- I bet the dice luck will be good for you
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video v0WbCPMMG1M
Actual Oh general_discussion at 9:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5805 · mention_pk 17167
Click to watch at 9:36
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tense and thematic in a small box
- beautiful components
Cons
- may rely on hidden scoring nuance
Thematic elements
- tree collection and planting with tense end-game
- garden / trees
- serene yet strategic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- set collection — players collect and arrange trees to form a meaningful arboretum
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- great negotiation game about building casinos in Vegas
- it's an epic negotiation game
- cooperative with limited communication
- one of the only deck-building games that I really like
- cooperative storytelling with survival mechanics
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ogUy1iFjsv4
SciShow general_discussion at 15:15 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 5147 · mention_pk 15264
Click to watch at 15:15
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- beautiful components
- tight decision making in a quiet set collection game
Cons
- can feel slight and lacks dramatic tension
Thematic elements
- set collection with placement strategy
- garden theme and tree collection
- elegant and peaceful
Comparison games
- Bonanza
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- set collection and placement — players arrange cards to maximize long term points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a board game that was one of the first games I really loved a game of negotiation and diplomacy which has the same system of playing tokens facedown and then you reveal and you see what peoples plans really were
- you can create alliances with other players and you can talk about what youre going to do you can maybe lie to people
- it's a beautifully simple system it packs a lot into a quite a small box it's a breeze to learn the rules
- for the right group this could really sing but for me it didn't really hit the spot
- I love Sushi Go and I feel this kind of system doesn't work with a deeper more involved game
- Queen Domino hasn't worked for me all of the ideas feel tacked on
- it's a nice push your luck aspect and there are seasons with weather that make harvesting decisions tense
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4Z8_t2e4MEY
Before You Play top_50_list at 14:17 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4734 · mention_pk 13805
Click to watch at 14:17
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clever scoring using tree varieties
- tight, brain-burny decisions
- strong replayability in a compact form
Cons
- heavier than typical party games
- color differentiation can be challenging for some players
Thematic elements
- tree stewardship and aesthetic patterning
- Botanical arboretum; tree varieties and color matching
- brain-burny, elegant strategy
Comparison games
- Bonanza
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Careful selection and timing of cards to curate the best run of trees.
- set collection — Build a tableau of tree varieties to maximize scoring combinations.
- tableau building — Arrange chosen cards to score via ascending sequences and color groups.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we are embarking on our top 50 journey
- the games for the most part are going to be shipped directly from the publishers
- we have excluded games that we've only played one time
- crossovers obviously because we share a collection a lot
- please keep in mind we are not here to sway you one way or the other but we do have to disclose
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 062XVPhRQHM
Things Get Dicey general_discussion at 2:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4435 · mention_pk 12997
Click to watch at 2:39
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- beautiful aesthetic and calm pacing
- satisfying strategic depth for a lighter title
Cons
- scoring can feel fiddly for newcomers
Thematic elements
- artful tree placement and path planning
- an arboretum with curated tree paths
- calm, contemplative strategy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Draft cards to build a personal tree path with color and shape harmony.
- path/board placement — Plan and execute routes for trees on a shared board.
- set-collection/hand management — Scoring depends on arranging trees to maximize point values.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- phones will need to go inside this box
- what a night
- i am a good host
- this game's supposed to take 60 to 90 minutes to play we don't have time right now
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BT6IjJtx1GQ
Before You Play top_10_list at 10:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2978 · mention_pk 8678
Click to watch at 10:52
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, tight decision space
- Good depth for a small box game
- Strong two-player potential
Cons
- Card luck can influence outcomes
- May require careful teaching for new players
Thematic elements
- Nature, tree cultivation, pathway scoring
- A botanical arboretum where players plant and manage tree cards to form scoring paths.
- abstract strategy
Comparison games
- Castles of Burgundy
- Lisboa
- Tricarion
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Players manage a hand of tree cards and decide which to play to form scoring paths.
- Pattern/path building — Players assemble sequences of cards to create scoring routes through their arboretum.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There's Nostalgia to it
- Kanban EV is prettier definitely
- the end game sneaks up on you a little bit faster than you're ready for
- we've traveled with this game for about five six years
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PxsjCVpmYgg
OFPG Voices general_discussion at 2:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2892 · mention_pk 8473
Click to watch at 2:30
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging balance between laying out trees and end-game scoring
- Beautiful art (Beth Sobel) and accessible for 2–4 players
- Tense strategic choices that can affect friendships in a playful way
Cons
- End-game scoring can be tense and potentially strain player relations
Thematic elements
- botanical garden exploration and tree collection
- Visitors walking through a curated arboretum, admiring trees and paths
- abstract path-building with species-based scoring
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck-building / drafting — players draft cards to form their Arboretum paths and tree sets
- end-game scoring by remaining hand value — score based on the species and numeric values you hold as the game ends
- path-building — construct a numerical path from low to high values, with species interactions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Arboretum was designed by Dan Cassar with art and illustrations from Beth Sobel
- it's a very interesting balance
- this is a lovely game that has an effect on friendship
- the goal is to create a path starting with a one Maple and ending with an eight Maple
- a lovely game that has an effect on friendship
- 127 funded yes yes that is awesome that's awesome
- QT is our newest family member—the cat from Cat In The Box
- Hello fall, hello fall
- we love you bye now
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video eXjxiFPMrtI
Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 3:01 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 2488 · mention_pk 7282
Click to watch at 3:01
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we have board games everywhere in our home
- it's going to be staggered kind of like steps down
- the most ridiculous box ever everything falls out
- I've been learning a game a day Jeff
- if you're looking at my chest or not
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ofLuLFgZ0xs
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 8:12 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 2435 · mention_pk 7111
Click to watch at 8:12
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- beautiful theme and components
- calming ambiance with nasty blocking
Cons
- end-game scoring can yield zero despite nice display
Thematic elements
- hand-management and set collection
- Gardens and trees
- calm, nature-themed
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — draft tree cards to build your hand
- hand management — play cards to optimize scoring
- set collection — score for high-value trees in hand
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a race game it makes it super interactive
- it's really quite mean
- this game is mean but it's only mean at two players
- it's so highly interactive
- this is easily one of my favorite auction games ever
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OPp_zAHdbTY
Peaky Boardgamer rules teach at 0:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2157 · mention_pk 6307
Click to watch at 0:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Clear, approachable rules with a compelling scoring twist
- Strategic depth emerges from ordering and gating when scoring paths
- Short playtime fits well for quick game sessions
Cons
- Scoring rules can be intricate to explain and remember during play
- Temporary ambiguity around source cards for drawing can slow early turns
Thematic elements
- Nature, tree types, path-building, scoring through eligibility
- Garden/arboretum landscape with tree types and paths
- instructional overview with scoring demonstration
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- path-building — Paths are created by placing cards orthogonally adjacent, with values guiding valid paths.
- scoring gating — Scores are awarded only if a player has gained the right to score a tree type, adding a gating layer before points are tallied.
- set collection / card stacking — Players draw and place cards representing trees into their arboretum to form paths and collections.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the twist in arboretum, is that in order to score your paths ,you need to also gain the right to do so
- the path is traced by starting from one card and then moving to adjacent cards until you reach the second card
- if the path starts with a one value card, there's an additional one point, and if it ends with the eight value card ,it's an additional 2 points
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CUZZqJTaz4s
top_10_list at 3:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1832 · mention_pk 5283
Click to watch at 3:05
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful art and theme
- Strategic depth in a compact package
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- garden aesthetics and strategy
- Garden paths and visitors in a scenic arboretum
- elegant, aspirational
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management / tile placement — Players manage a hand while placing cards to form garden paths, balancing scoring opportunities.
- set-collection / pattern-building — Scoring hinges on creating aesthetically pleasing sequences for visitors.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Raptor is a very cozy game
- it's easy for anyone to play
- Air, Land and Sea is one of the best two-player games out there
- Azul is a game that should be in every game library
- the blue is the definition of a fun game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _ViJQerrzZ8
The Broken Meeple general_discussion at 4:23 sentiment: negative
video_pk 304 · mention_pk 920
Click to watch at 4:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- beautiful tree-themed artwork
- solid visual appeal
Cons
- end-game scoring is punishing and opaque
- luck of the draw heavily impacts results
- tends to feel longer and less interactive than expected
Thematic elements
- trees, colors, and plant growth
- Forest/arboretum theme
- abstract thematic flavor
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deck-building — Player builds a hand of tree cards to lay out in their arboretum
- set-collection/pattern-building — Create ascending patterns of tree colors to score; end-game scoring is sensitive to color and sequence
- take-that / disruption — Other players can affect your options by forcing or denying certain trees
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's bone dry
- I cannot think of a single thing that it is
- this rolling right is a sweet game
- I actively thought that this was a bad game and I did not like my play of it
- prepare to die
- I think I should have given it a seven
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3g94C0Im4XY
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 8:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 276 · mention_pk 842
Click to watch at 8:29
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Sharp interaction, high tension
- Elegant scoring for tree types
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Card drafting with tree types
- Botanical tableau
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand management / set-collection — Create tableau of trees to maximize scoring conditions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- card drafting to the forefront of gaming mechanisms
- it's very difficult but again if you especially love the Lord of the Rings this is one to definitely sink your teeth into
- this really is a family weight game you can play this one with just about anybody
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–17 of 17