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Description
The sun shines brightly on the canopy of the forest, and the trees use this wonderful energy to grow and develop their beautiful foliage. Sow your crops wisely and the shadows of your growing trees could slow your opponents down, but don't forget that the sun revolves around the forest. Welcome to the world of Photosynthesis, the green strategy board game!
Year Published
2017
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 13
This page: 13
Sentiment:
pos 11 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–13 of 13
Video 4bc2c13j8OM
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13783 · mention_pk 40276
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful box art and colorful presentation
- Storage-focused box design that fits trees and components neatly
- Multilingual rulebooks included for accessibility
- Clear emphasis on organized assembly and reassembly
Cons
- Some components and their fits are snug, which can create minor setup friction
Thematic elements
- Sunlight capture and tree growth within a forest ecosystem
- Forest world where players plant trees and manage sunlight across a sun-tracking board
- Abstract/ecosystem-driven with visual tree components
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource management — Sunlight points are earned and spent to seed and grow trees, balancing early vs late growth.
- Shade interaction — Larger trees shade smaller ones, impacting sunlight generation and strategy.
- Sunlight tracking and distribution — A sun mechanism distributes light across the board, influencing scoring and growth opportunities.
- Tree placement and growth — Players place trees of varying sizes on a shared board and grow them as the game progresses.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- today we're unboxing photosynthesis
- the art on the box is beautiful
- I love the fact that you don't have to tear apart the trees and they built the box for that
- Well done Blue Orange
- Photosynthesis has to be the smoothest unboxing I've ever done
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yyh3AEk4Jvg
Adam Porter's Board Game Channel top_10_list at 0:07 sentiment: negative
video_pk 12868 · mention_pk 37605
Click to watch at 0:07
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- most inspiring game presentation
- simple and effective
- amazing 3D pieces from cardboard
Cons
- gameplay more convoluted than expected
- quite mean
- not elegant enough
- doesn't match beautiful presentation
Thematic elements
- nature
- trees
- growth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- these games have amazing table presence by which i mean people are going to glance across the room and go what is that person playing and i want to play all these games
- stacking games have table presence like nothing else
- looks beautiful it looks like a load of sweets on the board
- one of my favorite games of all time
- i don't like that sort of game i find that one of the most frustrating game mechanisms
- the central marble dispenser is your main draw in this game
- absolutely brilliant strategic game quite complex game
- it's actually my favorite of the mask trilogy
- i'm almost scared to say this but i don't really like azul very much
- biggest most overlooked game on this list
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kWXm2S-XY5k
Foster The Meatball playthrough at 7:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12027 · mention_pk 35215
Click to watch at 7:43
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
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)
- This is a photo association game.
- Three Sisters immediately sprang to mind.
- Hogwarts Battle is what I said.
- Photosynthesis yes.
- Ghost Stories.
- Dead of Winter my father's work what does my father do in the winter.
- Calico.
- Zombie Dice.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video QYodnAcugpY
Going Analog interview at 6:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11554 · mention_pk 33974
Click to watch at 6:52
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful stained-glass-inspired visuals
- Engaging growth engine mechanics
Cons
- Can be complex for new players
- Rulebook length
Thematic elements
- Sunlight-driven growth and shading dynamics
- Forest ecosystem with trees growing toward the light
- Ecological growth simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area placement / spatial engine — Place trees on a grid to optimize light capture and shade opponents
- Resource management — Balance light tokens and tree growth across rounds
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Round one is designed for you
- I love collaborating
- Stop, collaborate and listen
- Canadians are aggressively friendly
- 13 out of 20 points
- this is the board game quiz show by going analog
- Sagrada is one of our favorites
- Very nice, that was in fact takanoko with our little Panda.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7WC6-S1dq9k
Fan Plays Games top_5_list at 15:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11376 · mention_pk 33440
Click to watch at 15:46
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Impressive table presence with 3D trees
- Innovative sunlight-based mechanics and strategic depth
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Nature, growth, sunlight competition
- A forest where trees grow toward the sun on a shared board
- Abstract engine-building through forest growth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area majority — players vie for dominance in sunlit areas as trees grow and shade others
- Tree placement / resource management — Place and optimize trees to maximize sun exposure and scoring opportunities
- Turn order with in-game bonuses — Sunlight positions and growing trees influence play order and actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Diversity is not the same thing as inclusion. Diversity invites people to the table but inclusion empowers your voice to be heard while you're at the table. Diversity without inclusion is shallow marketing.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f9x0DLrug4Y
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 22:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8029 · mention_pk 23627
Click to watch at 22:11
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful, accessible, and visually striking
- Smooth learning curve and great for families
- Excellent two-player experience
Cons
- Lightweight compared to heavier titles
- Some players crave deeper thematic weight
Thematic elements
- Natural competition for light and space
- Forest canopy with sunlight cycles
- Abstract-to-light thematic storytelling through mechanics
Comparison games
- Sushi Go Party (visual appeal and accessibility)
- Tash-Kalar (abstract strategy comparison)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area control / light obstruction — Players plant trees and strategically shade opponents
- Seasonal tile placement — Sun movement drives scoring and blockages
- Two-player friendliness and broad appeal — Works well at two and scales to more players
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's the best game ever
- this game is a nut job
- the art is amazing the storytelling is amazing
- Nemesis is fan Fantastic so it's it's semi-cooperative I guess it depends
- it's the best alien game I've ever played that's not the alien license
- Photosynthesis is a beautiful game
- the core box is amazing
- it's so heavy but it's worth it
- awaken Realms sponsor this they’re so awesome
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yhmT62qqrCo
Unknown top_5_list at 6:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6324 · mention_pk 18676
Click to watch at 6:32
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Stunning visual design and components
- Pure strategy with little to no randomness
Cons
- Can be punishing and is less forgiving for new players
- Some players appreciate more direct interaction; others seek more variability
Thematic elements
- growth, competition for light
- Forest ecosystem with sun moving around a central board
- environmental, abstract
Comparison games
- Concordia
- Suburbia
- Everdell
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / timing of scoring — players compete for space and scoring opportunities through tree placement and growth
- engine-building / tree placement — plant trees in a forest; trees grow and spread seeds to generate more trees
- sunlight positioning — the sun orbits the board; trees must grow in sunlight to score and develop
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Suburbia really solid game however not as new not as flashy as everdell
- everything about suburbia makes a lot of sense
- it's a stunning game
- it's stunning i would even say prettier than everdell
- no dice rolling there's no cards involved it's a game of pure strategy
- timing matters a lot
- you have a hand of cards you're holding; your entire deck; you play your cards and for each turn you can't play your cards again until you play the card that lets you pick up all your cards
- this is my favorite game to lose by the way and it's also the highest rated game on board game geek
- five games that solve some of the gripes about everdel
- check out any of those five
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yvgIiMuUAsU
Board Game Coffee top_5_list at 5:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5293 · mention_pk 15743
Click to watch at 5:39
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful component and art design
- Accessible to new players while offering deep strategic choices
- Elegant sunlight economy drives interesting decisions
Cons
- Strategic planning can be tough; some players may feel consistently outplayed if mis-reading the sun path
Thematic elements
- growth, sunlight management, and environmental interaction
- A sunlit forest where trees compete for light
- abstract, educational-yet-enjoyable ecosystem simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Blocking / shading — Tree placement blocks sunlight to opponents, shaping strategies and outcomes.
- Resource management — Sunlight tokens are collected and spent to grow trees of various sizes.
- tile placement / area influence — Players place and grow trees on a shared board to maximize sunlight capture.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- our number five competitive board game for couples is Letters to Whitechapel
- one person can control all five policemen or you can have five other players chasing the jack
- it's a great choice for couples
- it's artless it's really good it's a good game horrible title
- it's a great competitive two-player deck builder actually up to 5 players
- photosynthesis this is a beautiful game
- the goal is to collect more sunlight than your opponent and then spend that sunlight to grow more trees
- Britney beats me more often than I do
- it's so frustrating for me I can't seem to win this game as much as Mark
- it's a great game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XjMVQkB6JRY
Unknown top_10_list at 5:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4983 · mention_pk 14818
Click to watch at 5:32
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- intuitive yet deep with light/shadow economy
- 3D-esque tactical decision making through sunlight mechanics
- elegant theming and accessible to new players
Cons
- abstracted feel may deter some players seeking heavier theme
- requires thoughtful spatial planning
Thematic elements
- trees competing for sunlight
- forest ecology and sunlight-driven growth
- elegant abstract with a naturalistic theme
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — trees grow to dominate sun-lit spaces and shade opponents
- movement/line of sight for sun — sunlight path and shadow casting introduce 3D strategic considerations
- resource management (sunlight currency) — sunlight acts as currency to grow trees and advance strategies
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- time is an illusion
- it's a very linear game where you are going through the seasons
- everything you're doing makes sense in that world
- I think it's really, really cool
- I love distilled. It's got a lot of good sneaky theme in there
- this linearness really lends itself to the thematic tie-ins
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video MBeBFdI97EM
Actual Oh top_10_list at 21:50
video_pk 3758 · mention_pk 11049
Click to watch at 21:50
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Tree growth and light optimization
- Forest with sun path
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / abstract — abstract strategy about tree growth with sunlight as a resource
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
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)
No references stored for this video.
Video X_JuVDiyMEw
Board Game Coffee game_review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2258 · mention_pk 6556
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Easy to learn and quick to set up
- Great gateway game that still offers meaningful strategy
- Engaging head-to-head competition
- Beautiful art and components
- Deliberate, think-ahead gameplay
Cons
- the sun token shape is awkward and the wedge design feels visually awkward
Thematic elements
- Growth, competition for sunlight, ecological balance
- Forest ecosystem where sunlight cycles across a wooden board
- Abstract ecological simulation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource management — Sun points serve as currency to plant seeds and grow trees.
- Shadowing and disruption — Larger trees cast shade on opponents' trees, reducing their sun income.
- Strategic planning — Requires thinking multiple moves ahead to optimize light collection and shadow opponents.
- Sun rotation and light direction — A sun token moves around the board each turn, determining which areas receive light.
- Tree placement and growth — Players place and grow trees across a sun-illuminated board, with larger trees yielding more sun points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- you can teach photosynthesis to pretty much anyone and they'll get it
- photosynthesis is a great gateway game
- it's easy to learn
- the ease of setup is actually one of the main reasons I bring this game to the table
- head-to-head challenge with a buddy or three
- there's really fun to play
- the bigger trees provide the most Sun points
- shadow your opponent's trees and deprive them of that sweet sun
- it's easy to learn offers a great challenge
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fFUhVpKYTkM
Board Game Dad game_review at 0:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2155 · mention_pk 6305
Click to watch at 0:03
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong theme that integrates well with core mechanics
- low luck and high strategic depth
- innovative sun/shading mechanic that affects planning and positioning
Cons
- may feel chess-like to some players
- limited variability due to low randomness
Thematic elements
- growth, sunlight competition, and environmental dynamics
- a forest where sunlight moves around the board, and taller trees shade smaller trees
- abstracted natural theme
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_control/shading — taller trees shade smaller trees as the sun moves, impacting scoring and viability.
- engine_building — larger trees generate more energy, enabling further growth and planting.
- resource_management — players spend energy to grow trees and plant seeds to expand their forest.
- timing/turn_order — turns determine when energy is spent and how the sun traverses the board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- photosynthesis is the exception because somehow it is a purely strategic game
- a little bit like playing chess with trees
- for theme this game has a 9
- some gamers might prefer a little bit more of an luck element in order to mix things up
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OOlGupJ5hTk
OFPG Voices general_discussion at 3:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2232 · mention_pk 6510
Click to watch at 3:45
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Gorgeous visuals
- Interesting sun-tracking mechanic
- Deep strategic depth
Cons
- Can be heavy for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Plant growth and shading dynamics
- Forest sunlit canopy and growth
- educational nature-themed
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- set collection/area setup — collect resources to plant trees for scoring
- sun track action selection — players take actions tied to the position on sun track
- tile placement — place trees to block or gain light; manage canopy
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we hear ofpg voices our goal is to make this world a better place one board gamer at a time
- being playful has power it is infectious unifying and gratifying
- humanity is a co-op we are co-opting together to make this world a better place
- treat people the way you want to be treated
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–13 of 13