We wanted to release the next blog earlier than Sunday since it is Christmas Day so we jump started the week playing one game one our 10 x 10 which is nearly complete and then after dinner on the same day we played our new game, even adding another player after the first few games to try out the 3 player variant.
If you recall from Entry 81, we have enjoyed the games from Rebel Studio (Meadow & Chronicles of Avel) and have a third game sitting on our shelf that we needed to try out from called Blossoms. Well, this week we played it to finish off all the game we have from this publisher. The big question is did we like this game as much as the other two that we have? Read on my friends, read on.
BLOSSOMS (2018)
In Blossoms (original title Kwiatki), players compete to create the most beautiful flower bouquet. The longer the flowers, the higher they score!
To set up, give each player two random face-down cards and three action tokens. Place the flower pots in the center of the playing area with space above them for the growing flowers. Place four different flower cards, one in each pot. Take one card from the draw pile and place it aside face-down.
Players alternate taking turns, trying to make the most valuable combination of flowers possible. On their turn, a player can conduct any number of actions, which are:
• Growth — Draw one card from the deck and place it in any pot that has the same flower type.
• Cut — Cut down one pot of flowers to score points; this ends your round.
• Special — Use your action tokens to perform one extra action depending on which pot you choose.
A player's turn ends when they decide to cut flowers, pass, or when they have BAD LUCK. The game ends when the last card from the deck is drawn. Points are then scored by the size and diversity of sets you have planted. Whoever has the higher score wins!
Weight 1.22/5
A Little More Info
The game has a total of 54 cards in it. There are six different types of flowers with nine cards each. This is important to know because on your turn you have to take the growth action in the game in which you have a chance to draw one of the two sets that are not planted in the flower pots. If you cannot place the drawn card into one of the pots, then you have Bad Luck and your turn immediately ends.
There is also one other action that was not listed in the BGG description which is to plant a card from your hand into a pot. This action can be done only once per turn.
The next thing to note is that each flower pot has a special action that you can place one of your three tokens on it. There a few reasons for placing doing this, the first being to take the action on the pot to further your game play that turn and the second being that your opponent cannot cut the pot on their turn because it is reserved for you. However, if a seventh card is to placed in that pot, then all those flower cards are discarded and nobody gets the points from it (six card maximum per flower pot). On your next turn the token you used is returned back to the box.
Oh, I guess I should mention what each flower pot action is. One is the Watering Can that allows you to place one of your cards from your hand to the bottom of any flower pot (not to exceed the six card maximum). Another pot action is the Rake which lets you look at the top three cards in the draw deck and put them back on top in any order thus allowing you to stack the deck for the next few growth actions you may or may not want to take. The third pot action is the Fence that lets your forget the first time you have Bad Luck for the turn, if you continue with more growth actions and get a second Bad Luck from it, sorry, your turn ends. The last pot action is the Pruner which allow you to draw a card from the deck and put it into your hand.
Between this and the BGG description, you are ready to play the game… really? Yup.
What we like about the game
We love that this game plays fast. The box says 20 minutes playing time but that is true only on your first game. We were able to play a total of 6 games in the span of an hour which included teaching a new person the game (using the 3 player variant). Why so fast? The next item explains it…
We absolutely love the “Push Your Luck” mechanic of the game. You have to ask yourself (knowing that there are only nine of each type of flower and four out of six types in the pots) “do I draw just one more using the growth action or do I need to stop and cut a plant?” This is the reason the game moves fast is because you are constantly and quickly drawing cards. Yes, there is some analysis to the game but not enough to draw out the game an extended period of time.
The next thing we like is, of course, the artwork. From the soft blue tones in the backgrounds to the warm colors used for the flowers, this game is just so welcoming. For me a nice cup of warm tea would be a nice companion to playing the game.
We like that this game does not take up a lot of table space. I know people online have always looked for games that could be played on airplanes or in airports, this one would fit that bill.
The last thing we want to point out is that we do like that there is a family friendly variant of the game in which there are no special actions with the pots.
What we don’t like about the game
For what it is, the game is well rounded. There isn’t anything that stands out to us that needs to be changed in the game.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Rebel Studio has another great hit on their hands. The game play is fast, the learning curve is quick, and with the few variants provided it keeps the game fun and interesting for us.
Of the three games we own from them, this is the easiest to play and understand. We love that this publisher has a variety of games for all levels of game players.
We might just have to see if anyone else in our gaming group owns any other their other titles so we can at least try them out once.
FAMILY GAMER VERDICT
Another solid 9 out 10 game.
The game looks beautiful, plays beautiful, and it will “grow on you.”
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