Games are getting better made and more expensive, of course. The so-called “deluxe versions” of games from Kickstarter or other crowdfunding platforms. The editors of the Last Tavern have prepared for you a unique list of the most beautifully published board games
Seasons
The first game I liked visually was Seasons. In my opinion, this is one of the prettiest card games. It has beautiful, fairy-tale graphics, and the rest of the components – large dice and boards – do not differ from their high level of workmanship. During the game, we will play cards in front of us and perform the effects on them. These are both immediate actions and those that can be activated every turn. Mechanically, it is not a complicated title, but the relationship between the individual cards and how they interact with each other is well thought out. After many live games and on the internet platform, I still come back to this beautiful land where we will have to live three years and three times all seasons before counting the crystals that we managed to collect during this time. – Katarzyna Satława
Everdell (with add-ons)
The first title that immediately comes to mind when talking about a nice game. It is actually quite a simple tableau builder (additions change it a bit), which owes all its fame to the theme in which it is presented. We have a forest town here, inhabited by beautiful anthropomorphized animals. The cards James Wilson drew are cute. Raw materials and coins – a miracle! And the dish of the evening – a bit unnecessary, but very nice Evertree, which makes a sensation on the table. In the additions there are also, among others pearls or meples. Much more mepli, and it is worth adding that each type of mepla symbolizes a different animal. Gameplayowo 7/10, execution 11/10. I am convinced that this game would not be as successful in a different aesthetic.
On the wings
Another simple card game, somewhat similar to its predecessor. Like every game from Stegmaier, it is amazingly made. Very thick cardboard, dice tower in the shape of a feeder, wooden cubes. Eggs of different colors (too bad the color doesn’t matter). And the cards, too, at the highest level. This is another position in which the gameplay definitely does not reach the performance. Personally, I’d rather look at it than play it, but it’s pretty easy to get new people into it, mainly because of the performance.
Calico
A game in a slightly smaller box and another one with a very simple gameplay core. On your turn, you add one tile and take one tile from the one laid on the table – simple, right? Very! However, what a brainbump it is! I love! In my opinion, the game is much better than On wings , and also exemplary. In the game, we sew a blanket for cats from the tiles I mentioned. And they are beautiful. In addition, there are colorful buttons, very good player boards and cat tokens. It’s hard to look away.
Ready-to-wear
The only Polish item on the list – and this is its Kickstarter edition – is a game by Ignacy Trzewiczka published by Portal. The goal of the players is to design clothes and participate in fashion shows. With the upcoming Women’s Day, it would be foolish not to mention it. What I like the most, apart from the insane illustrations, are printed meples with threads that are later sewn. Everything is correct here, and the game itself is medium-heavy euras. I recommend, gentlemen, to play with your partners!
Mechs vs Minions
The situation is a bit strange for me, because I haven’t played the game yet, but I had to put it here. Legends are heard about its performance and it is not an abuse. As soon as I opened the box, my jaw dropped to the floor. And it’s still there. I won’t say anything else – you have to see it! – Bartek Jaworski
Blue
This is an example of a beautifully presented board game. In terms of mechanics, we are dealing with an abstract logical game, but what makes it unique is the execution. Solid, gorgeous tiles imitating a mosaic, which we put on our boards, add a unique charm to the mechanics. In general, the decorations on the cover as well as on the individual elements of the game are simply delightful. However, it is worth emphasizing that all games in this series, i.e. Sintra’s Stained Glass and Summer Pavilion , also look beautiful on the table. – Hubert Heller
Dragons
One of the most beautifully published family card games released in 2020 is Dragons . This is the third part of a series of games that take those interested in the world of fairy-tale lands. The rules are simple and the limitations are small: the number of players varies from 2 to 5 and the playing time is relatively short (approx. 15 minutes). The strength of the game is the inevitable delight of the player with the (dragon) illustrations. However, not only animals appear on the cards, but also dark trees, birds, fish, lightning … There is also a charming kitten, which we know from the previous series, from Dream . To sum up, Marcin Minor effectively draws us into his dreamland, and we enjoy watching fabulous illustrations. – Ines Załęska-Olszewska