It’s the late 19th century, and more than 9000 windmills dot the landscape of the Netherlands, some of them purpose-built to dry the lowlands, called polders. In the polders between these windmills are fields filled with colorful tulips—the flower that once was a part of the turbulent history of the first financial bubble but is now simply a quintessential part of the Dutch landscape, especially on the famous Bloemen Route (or “Flower Route”).
In Windmill Valley , a game inspired by the Bloemen Route, you and up to three players take on the role of tulip farmers and entrepreneurs. You will build and enhance your windmills, look for new tulip bulbs in foreign trades or among local vendors to buy and plant, and try to get an edge with hired help and lucrative contracts. Let your blooming fields make your competitors green with envy!
During their turn, players choose the action by rotating the wheels on their windmill board. During the game they can:
Enhance their wheels, by adding enhancements, to build their engine
Plant tulips in their fields, which will score VP at the end of the game
Build windmills on the main board to activate rewards from adjacent fields
Hire helpers that provide bonuses for certain actions
Get contracts for endgame scoring
Visit the local market and conduct a foreign trade
All in all, Windmill Valley is a lightweight game with quick turns, a smart action-selection mechanism, multiple options to build your engine, and a lovely setting.
—description from the publisher
- strong solo-game appeal from the 2024 hit
- potential for deeper complexity with windmill-based mechanisms
- agriculture/production with engine-building elements
- Solo-friendly strategy game with windmill/civilization flavor
- solo-focused with accessible, streamlined rules
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice rolling — dice-driven actions with potential engine-building aspects
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The fate of creatures touched by the spark of intelligence hangs in the balance
- This is a flip and roll and scratch and stamp and whatever else you want to do and write
- open world Cooperative Adventure game even for solo
- windmill valley was a big hit for me Solo in 2024
- you start as a child and as such you will have limited sense of interest and skills that will determine your development
References (from this video)
- Bright, colorful production values with a distinctive Dutch aesthetic
- High-quality components; notably the screen-printed windmills and well-designed player boards
- Strong solo mode that feels complete and can fill gaps in multi-player slots
- Accessible pacing with quick turns and a clear path toward meaningful combos
- Good two-player experience with room for deeper strategic exploration
- Money track and Market worker mechanics may feel underwhelming compared to other parts of the system
- Some interaction and market tension are stronger with three or four players, meaning two-player games may miss some points of interaction
- Complexity is dialed back relative to some heavier Euro titles, which may deter players seeking a heavier experience
- wind power, tulip trade, and small-scale industrial activity in a colorful Dutch setting
- Netherlands, late 19th century with windmills and tulips
- historical/industrial
- Tillum
- Barcelona
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players choose from a set of actions displayed by their windmill and upgrade options, guiding engine-building across turns.
- card-driven upgrades and helpers — Gaining cards that provide helpers and action bonuses influences short- and long-term planning.
- engine building — Players pursue setups that chain multiple actions and bonuses, unlocking powerful synergies between helpers, contracts, and windmill upgrades.
- engine-building and combos — Players pursue setups that chain multiple actions and bonuses, unlocking powerful synergies between helpers, contracts, and windmill upgrades.
- market and tulip economy — Tulip beds and market interactions drive end-game scoring and strategic positioning, with capacity for market manipulation.
- Market Pricing/Manipulation — Tulip beds and market interactions drive end-game scoring and strategic positioning, with capacity for market manipulation.
- Player Board | Main Board — Player boards feature top and bottom slots to neatly slide helpers and contracts underneath, reducing clutter and preserving information flow.
- player boards with integrated slots — Player boards feature top and bottom slots to neatly slide helpers and contracts underneath, reducing clutter and preserving information flow.
- seasonal progression — Windmills cycle around a core wheel/board; after completing a circuit, players advance to the next season, accelerating toward the end of the game.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is one of the most colorful games we've seen from Board & Dice.
- Windmill Valley moves fast isn't too punishing and you can get your Euro fix without needing a nap afterwards.
- The Tulips are great the windmills are all screen printed.
- The player boards have slots in the top and bottom to make it easy to slide the helpers and contracts underneath it, it is a terrific touch.
- Windmill Valley is a bit of a change of pace for Bor and dice partly that's because of its bright theme.
- if you do want a slightly speedier and lighter heavy game with a gentle and lovely theme Windmill Valley is worth a spin.
References (from this video)
- Clever action-selection mechanism with satisfying combos
- Bright, colorful, and thematically cohesive
- Multiple viable paths to victory
- Seasonal agriculture with wind-powered actions
- A light, breezy theme centered on windmills and tulip cultivation
- abstract/cheerful
- Pixies
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action selection wheels — Two rotating wheels serve as the core actions; players add actions to make those actions stronger and trigger combos
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's about windmills"
- "the closest I've seen to Mario Kart as a board game"
- "it's a very tight worker placement game"
- "the biggest surprise of the year"
- "this is my favorite game of the year so far"
References (from this video)
- Unique gear-based action selection
- Striking aesthetics and visual design
- Potential for varied strategic approaches
- Still in pre-order; availability varies by retailer
- Balance and depth to be proven with broader playtesting
- action-selection Euro-game with a pastoral aesthetic
- Fictional European countryside with windmills
- abstract, strategy-focused
- Arboria
- Barcelona
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action_selection — On a turn, players select among actions by spinning two rotating gears; in some cases, both actions can be taken.
- gear_mechanism — A rotating gear component controls available actions, creating a dynamic choice structure each turn.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the five most viral games right this second
- it's absolutely beautiful
- my hype level is a 7 out of 10
- the consensus at eight it's not a topheavy distribution
- I backed it so you know I think this will be widely available at retail
- hype level it's honestly it's a 10 out of 10
References (from this video)
- Easier to learn than some Garcia titles like Barcelona
- Engaging Rondell and tableau integration with cascading actions
- Multiple paths to score and diverse benefits from cards and objectives
- Dynamic endgame with non-static ending increases interactivity
- Good variability with asymmetric cards and upgrades
- Feels lighter/less tension than heavier Euro games
- Social interaction and tension may be underwhelming at lower player counts
- Replayability depends on player count and understanding of the endgame dynamics
- Some may prefer more upfront interaction or deeper decisions
- Windmills, Tulips, and dike-building within a seasonal calendar
- Low-lying European countryside near the Netherlands/Denmark with windmills and tulips
- Seasonal calendar progression with dynamic endgame
- Barcelona
- Praga Kaput Regy
- Dice Forge
- Lan Loland
- Glass Road
- Tapestry
- Everdell
- Lowland
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action cascade and planning — Actions cascade as players progress on their tableaux; optimizing sequences is key.
- Card/Objective system — Helper cards provide asymmetric ongoing benefits and can contribute to end-game objectives; players race for public objectives.
- Dyke track and water management — A Dyke track represents flooding risk; moving it affects available actions and endgame timing.
- Non-static end-game trigger — Endgame is triggered by a dynamic calendar/season system, not a fixed count of turns.
- Rondel — Players rotate a central Rondell, select actions, and customize the wheel for more powerful or varied options.
- Rondell action selection and customization — Players rotate a central Rondell, select actions, and customize the wheel for more powerful or varied options.
- tableau building — Players plant tulips into a personal tableau to gain benefits and create cascading effects.
- Tableau building with tulips — Players plant tulips into a personal tableau to gain benefits and create cascading effects.
- Windmill placement and market interaction — Windmills are placed on the board to gain benefits and unlock actions via a central market track.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- windmill valley this is a game by Danny Garcia
- non static ending uh meaning not having a set number of turns to play this game
- windmill Valley and I would play it again
- there are plenty of opportunities to gain different benefits and bonuses throughout the game
- I would rather play this game over Praga Kaput Regy
- it's easier to learn than say Barcelona
References (from this video)
- Vibrant presentation and modular engine options
- Multiple routes to score and build a functioning engine
- Not always as lightweight as claimed; can be medium in complexity
- engine-building through a rotating windmill wheel
- Dutch-inspired windmill domain with tulip farming
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine building — Build windmills, hire helpers, fulfill contracts, and conduct local trade.
- Engine-building and market/trade — Build windmills, hire helpers, fulfill contracts, and conduct local trade.
- Rotating windmill wheel (rondelle-style action selection) — Players rotate their windmill to select actions and upgrade engine components.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- One of our favorites. We love this game.
- Great game. Love Five Tribes.
- Patchwork is a great runale game. It never occurred to me, but that's what it is.
- Patchwork is a great dating game.
- Five Tribes is a great game.
References (from this video)
- Colorful artwork and meaty decisions
- Two interacting action wheels create interesting synergy
- Engaging euro mechanics with multiple paths to score
- The map can feel oversized for some setups
- Resource management and tulip trade in a stylized European setting
- A tulip-farming euro with a flood-plain landscape and a prominent windmill-themed map
- Abstract Euro-style with light thematic flavor
- Karuka
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action wheels — Two rotating action wheels interact to determine available actions per turn
- Building/placement — Players place windmills on the board to unlock points and effects
- Tulip planting and contracts — Plant tulips and complete contracts to score
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- two action wheels and they interact together
- the best racing game that's been released this year
- hands down the best game that we have played in 2024
References (from this video)
- Beautiful components and table presence
- Deep and heavy, with significant strategic planning
- Multiple strategies with windmills and tulips
- Heavy; can be hard to teach
- Score track may be insufficient for very long games
- economic engine-building with windmills
- Tulip farming and windmill entrepreneurship
- heavy strategy, multi-use cards
- Suburbia
- Cottage Garden
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Market and windmill placement — Place windmills and manage a market to generate goods and score points.
- Rundale and multi-use cards — Each player has individual rundale and uses multi-use cards to generate resources.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a Gateway game it doesn't gate hard to Lear it's beautiful
- OMG yes love City building games
- it's a fun game I mean puzzly game puzzle yeah put these
- the pets look sad y'all
- Windmill Valley betrayed me
References (from this video)
- Unique action cog mechanism
- Variability builds over time
- Feels empowering
- Farming
- Tulip farm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players use action cogs that can be upgraded over time
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's been a year of heavy games, it's been a year of light games
- Always try before you buy, be smart with your money
References (from this video)
- digestible and easy to teach
- visually appealing
- fits core Euro expectations in a mid-weight package
- not revolutionary
- may be less appealing to heavy crunch seekers
- engine-building and resource optimization through rotating boards
- Windmill-based agricultural European countryside with tulips
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Engine upgrading and end-game objectives — Players improve their engine and pursue end-game objectives for victory points.
- Rotating windmill action boards — Each round, players rotate a windmill board to expose two actions and upgrade options.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- a lovely mediumweight Euro by board and dice
- the dice has dual use
- I love the way that everything is driven here through dice
- spatial puzzle
- an instant classic
- a great example of its genre
- I instantly fell in love with it
- Kitzia at his best
- Punchy, colorful and very engaging
- top tier kitzia for me
References (from this video)
- snappy turns and high agency
- elegant, fast euro feel for a midweight game
- beautiful, thematic components
- the water-level mechanic can feel secondary and slow at times
- agriculture / craft economy
- Dutch-inspired tulip farming with windmills
- elegant, pastoral
- Minos Bronze Age
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dual action wheels — two wheels offer different action options; players pair wheel positions to act
- engine-building — upgrade wheels, hire helpers, and unlock contracts for scoring
- grid-like layout / placement — place tiles to form scoring engines and combos
- rapid play with meaningful choices — snappy turns that still reward planning
- variable scoring via windmills and contracts — windmills and contracts shape end-game scoring
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's like a summer camp where I get to play lots of games
- this is one of the coolest things about this game
- the turns are so Snappy; you're always ready to go
- it's a bigger game where you are building out and visiting villages in the Black Forest
- two things that I love in games: dice placement and engine building
- the art is fascinating; some people really did not like the art and some people really did
References (from this video)
- Ultimate spinning gears game
- Personal windmill with satisfying gear rotation
- Every turn features gear spinning
- Water speed affects gear rotation
- Multiple paths to victory
- Rich and robust gameplay
- Beautiful color palette and art
- Designer Danny Garcia rising star
- Stands on shoulders of giants like Zulan
- windmills
- tulips
- water management
- Dutch Golden Age
- nature
- Zulan the Mayan Calendar
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This extra twist of uh extra objectives to chase after if you build these is such a cool leveling up for the game
- This game is very mean-spirited oh the aggressive moves you can make really messing with your opponent
- This game is freaking brilliant
- This core idea is so brilliant one of the coolest new ideas I've seen in worker placement in years
- This is one of the best card drafting closed hand card drafting games of all time
- I would play this over seven wonders quite frankly because it adds so much depth and variety and control
- This game blew me and Jen away
- Jeffrey CCH might before too long make it into my top 10 favorite designers
- They have done the ultimate spinning gears game
- This is going to make a lot of top 10 of the years for 2024 when it comes out later this year
References (from this video)
- Amazing implementation of spinning gears
- Brilliant design
- Guaranteed top 10 of 2024
- Both Roto and Jen love it
- Tulip farming
- Netherlands
- Holland
- Water management
- Zulk
- Mayan County
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is literally you will find no better example in all of board gamedom the idea of board games actually changing lives
- This game is absolutely phenomenal
- This might be my game of the year
- The best game I have played so far in 2024
- I have not found a tile lane game this tension filled since Calico
- Board games are about living good happy fulfilling lives
- Elf Creek games has consistently the highest quality production board game period in the industry
References (from this video)
- beautiful presentation and art
- solid production values from Board & Dice
- engaging balance between planning and execution
- may be slightly lighter than other high-weight titles from Board & Dice
- requires careful spatial planning to maximize points
- resource management and worker-driven actions
- windmill valley with a pastoral, harvest/production flavor
- elegant, cover-driven presentation that hints at a calm village economy
- Barcelona (publisher as context for style)
- other euro-designs by Board & Dice
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action drafting / tile-like planning — players choose actions to optimize resource flow and scoring opportunities
- area scoring / set collection — regions provide points when controlled or optimized by players
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "bubble wrap... that's amazing"
- "it's like an area control type of game but everybody plays as an asymmetrical character"
- "two-player only game... sneaky fun"
- "I freaking loved it"
- "it's quick to play but it's really strategic"
References (from this video)
- not described yet
- Upcoming title mentioned in the video
- n/a
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the market is manipulated because you have these cards that are sat between you and one of your neighbors
- the rules are so thin
- it's fantastic I think it's criminally underrated
- the rich and the good definitely one of the highlights of the period
References (from this video)
- Unique gear-based action selection adds tactile novelty.
- First-time setup and tactile components may require careful handling.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Gear rotation / action selection — Rotate gears to select actions and slot tiles for enhanced effects.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I love the card game I designed and she made the game.
- Spring cleaning is officially up for pre-order.
- Not a whole lot of views on these things obviously because they are exclusives but that doesn't matter.
- Ten years later, I designed a game and you could go out and buy it right now.
- Is this going to be a thing I continue to do for another ten years? Time will tell.
- I could have a whole lot more views if I changed things around to target getting a lot more views, but I would have stopped this channel years ago.
References (from this video)
- Colorful and visually appealing
- Smooth gameplay with few rules
- Good depth for midweight game
- Interesting gear/wheel mechanic
- Combo-focused design
- Solo mode available
- Requires multiple plays to fully evaluate
- Dutch landscape
- tulips
- windmills
- agriculture
- Terra Cotta Army
- Titanium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I just acquire a couple of games that I was interested in a couple of review copies here and there
- the Expo was still good fun but they do need to work on utilizing the space and getting those costs down
- a game that I kind of have a hit and miss relationship with you know some of it I like
- I immediately decided it was the first one I was going to gun for on the Friday
- when it gets released later in the year at Essen I believe oh man do I want this game fast
- Shut Up And Take My Money
- it's kind of on the levels of something like lost ruines of arac for me
References (from this video)
- Accessible Euro with approachable rules
- Strong action synergy and chaining
- Theme and components feel thematic and appealing
- May lack depth for heavy euro players
- Depends on player group for long-term appeal
- windmills, upgrading presence on a map, action synergy
- Map-based Euro with windmills and regional development
- Euro-style engine-building
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action rotation — actions are accessed via a rotating wheel that changes each turn
- engine building — synergizing actions to create scoring/combo opportunities
- engine building / combos — synergizing actions to create scoring/combo opportunities
- Resource management — upgrading capabilities and managing board presence
- tile placement — placing windmills to expand control and gain benefits
- tile/area placement — placing windmills to expand control and gain benefits
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is the newest board and dice game at least one of the newest
- a very straightforward Euro definitely on the lighter end of the medium
- I'm glad I did
- these are the kind of Euros I tend to really get along with
- the old ones are normally the best ones
- this is a stripped back Euro
- no bloat to the rules or anything like that
- it's so easy to table
- two to four players 40 minutes just sounds like it's taking all those boxes for me
References (from this video)
- Intriguing theme; worth picking up according to the speaker
- High anticipation for a future release
- Not available at the event
- Demo access limited; pre-order only
- Resource management / agricultural setting
- Rural windmill valley; farm/land management vibe
- imaginative, aspirational
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- unknown — Mentioned as a title they aimed to buy; no mechanics described in the transcript.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this was our first Convention of this type and we had an absolute blast
- it's an essential weekend if you are into ball games
- the cost of literally everything at a venue was daylight robbery
- thank you very much to every single one of you that had the courage to come up to me and say hello
- we traveled out to Birmingham in my wife's motor
- this is a channel where we give you reviews sometimes playthroughs but we don't do unboxings
- we basically like to talk a load of bollocks
References (from this video)
- family-friendly
- simple to learn
- limited theme depth
- agriculture and community
- rural valley with windmills
- family-friendly
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — players compete for control of regions
- set collection — collect cards/resources to score
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We are back live and excited to talk with you all!
- Lego is entering the board game space with Monkey Palace.
- DEI panels are important for enlightenment and inclusion.
- World Wonders is a memorable highlight from Grand Con.
- Massive convention energy and community at Grand Con.
References (from this video)
- beautiful art and components
- deep strategic routes
- heavy components may slow setup
- resource engine-building
- agricultural valley with windmills
- heavy Euro with strong visuals
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-builder — optimize windmill-based actions to generate points
- tile/area optimization — place tiles to maximize scoring opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's Mad Max on steroids where you just killing up folk in your car"
- "this is the addiction show"
- "Stone Age is my favorite worker placement game"
- "it's a trick taking game"
- "Unmatched Slings and Arrows... Shakespeare going to war"
- "be sure to check out moving out"
References (from this video)
- family-friendly feel
- good for game days and conventions
- not detailed in talk
- cooperative/competitive resource management
- windmill-themed farm-building world
- light and rustic
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hatch/rebuild mechanic — players build and manage windmill components
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- we ain't good good but we still good
- the world needs good humans
- voices is on hiatus for now
- we want to pay our content creators
- we're going to bring that show back when we can finance it
References (from this video)
- beautiful art and tactile components
- engaging engine-building with tangible decisions
- strong for experienced gamers
- price point $45–$60
- not a gateway game
- engine-building and tulip cultivation
- Dutch-inspired tulip farming landscape
- elegant, colorful
- Reef Project
- MinnoS
- Cities USA expansion
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building / rondel-style wheel — use a rotating wheel to take actions and optimize production
- set collection / tile placement — plant tulips, harvest, and manage actions to maximize engine output
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's the cutest little game with these cute oversized Rocap bars
- Green Team always wins
- Endeavor Deep Sea... due to problematic slavery mechanic
- Windmill Valley is beautiful to look at
- I love cities
- Arcs is hot
- Cities USA coming soon
- Telestrations was hilarious
References (from this video)
- stunning visuals
- deep but approachable strategy
- can be gear-heavy and brain-bending
- agriculture and wind-energy style farming
- Tulip farming valley with windmills
- Array
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's fun, but it's not too hard to learn; there's a lot to do.
- The donuts look very realistic; they really pop on the display.
- Cities from de Games and it's a fun citybuilding game on your little player board.
- It's a simple game but strategically all it's not simple.
- Rockard is thematically so strong; you feel like you’re managing a rock career.
- Windmill Valley is beautiful and ambitious; the tulip-windmill combo looks fantastic.
- The candy is D and now we know the candy is dandy.