Before winter makes its appearance, a particularly warm fall bathes the forest in a golden shimmer. During the Indian Summer, New England blossoms one last time. Treetops are ablaze with countless colors — a living rainbow, from green to orange to red. Slowly the first leaves are starting to fall. Meanwhile, our steps and the diligent squirrels rustle the colorful foliage.
On our walks through the woods, we discover all kinds of little treasures; we collect berries, nuts, mushrooms and feathers. We pause for a moment to watch the shy inhabitants of the forest before we set off towards home once again. There, a good book and a hot tea are already awaiting.
Indian Summer is the second part of Uwe Rosenberg's puzzle trilogy following 2016's Cottage Garden, and this game is firmly geared towards experienced players. At the heart of the game are puzzle tiles with holes that are placed on individual forest boards to cover up treasures. When players get their hands on these, they gain more options and an edge over their opponents. All that counts in the end is to be the first to cover your forest floor completely with leaves.
- Strong race element; dynamic scoring structure
- Notable for strategic depth and interaction
- Learning curve can be a bit steep due to new scoring structure
- Some players may find it less lasting in longevity
- Seasonal farming with a playful meadow aesthetic
- Seasonal meadow farming and marmot motifs
- race-like progression with strategic tension
- Cottage Garden
- Spring Meadow
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Bonus chits — Chits grant varied scoring or strategic advantages
- Bottom-to-top scoring phases — A unique scoring progression that climaxes as the board fills
- Tile laying with polyomino shapes — Lay out tetromino-like tiles to fill patterns and progress on scoring tracks
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- they are all distinct enough to play as different games and that was the question that we were asking ourselves before we started the series
- Patchwork this game is sort of legendary you know like it's all like everybody's best games for two players lists
- it's the most recent release aside from new york zoo
- the marmots are really cute
- you can steal other people's tiles
- New York Zoo is the best theme
References (from this video)
- Seasonal flavor integrated into mechanics
- Solid balance and tactile components
- Cottage Garden
- Patchwork
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- tile/area control — seasonal-themed tile interactions shaping the board state and scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We're going to be playing Root live via TTS tabletop simulator with two other people who are previous tournament winners of Root.
- This is not sponsored at all this is just kind of a big shout out.
- Let's break down those barriers, let's get those games played.
- Tricarion is one of my favorite games of all time.
- Patchwork is the classic two-player puzzle game.
- We were sent the newest box which we're going to be reviewing as well as a second box.
- Put the word unlock in there, that way we know you want to be part of this.
References (from this video)
- Puzzle/polyomino tiling with holes
- Autumnal forest floor
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- polyomino tiling — tetris-like pieces with holes to score by floor alignment
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm super excited to try this one out
- I can't wait to try out Nemesis
- they call it a romantic comedy in a board game
- it's a murder mystery on a cruise ship
- top 20 most anticipated games at Essen 2017
References (from this video)
- Patchwork
- Cottage Garden
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's quirky and it's different.
- It's the best one that's out there.
- In 20 years there will be so many better board games with virtual reality, but right now it's the best one that's out there.
- One map and you're racing to finish.
- This is a romantic comedy in a board game.
- Magic Maze is my number one game of 2017.