Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Observe the growth of nature's most beautiful and exotic natural structure: the coral reef Found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region, it has taken reefs thousands of years to grow. Over that time, they have mesmerized marine life and created amazing aquatic ecosystems. Prepare yourselves to do the same... and open your eyes to the beauty of the oceans.
Abstract strategy games seem to be on the rise in our hobby. Where they were once ignored due to their themeless nature and usually bland components, games like Azul, Santorini, and Onitama have reinvigorated the genre. Today, we are going to slap on our SCUBA gear as we head under the sea with Reef. This abstract strategy game published by Next Move Games will have players earning victory points as they build their underwater reef. Gameplay Overview: Players are tasked with growing a balanced, functioning and interdependent ecosystem, using 20 cards, in a 4x5 grid. The game consists of two equal rounds of ten cards played with scores totaled up at the end. Increasing complexity of strategy and tactics is created through the ways in which the cards interact with each other. There are 11 different types of cards, each with its own sea creature, including everything from microscopic Plankton to (noticeably) macroscopic Blue Whales. The cards are also divided up into different food networks (Producers, Prey, Predators) which have important implications for their scoring. For me, I would generally prefer to sit down and play Reef two-player, but if it were a casual game night with some adult beverages around I might prefer to have four people at the table.
Components
Reef shines brightly when it comes to its learning curve and accessibility. The rules are uncomplicated and can be explained in just a few minutes, making it a great gateway game for newcomers to the world of board games. The game mechanic of choosing or playing a card on your turn is easy to grasp, and the objective of creating specific patterns is straightforward. All three games are beautifully designed, simple to learn, and offer a good amount of strategic depth. Reef stands out with its unique 3D gameplay, allowing players to build upwards, creating visually striking coral structures. If you enjoy abstract strategy games but prefer a calmer, more visually engaging experience with a slightly lower competitive edge, then Reef could be your game of choice. Hits and Misses
Each player who still has any cards left in his hand may now score the patterns of those cards (without taking any coral pieces first). However, for each card a player still has in his hand, that player may only score a completed pattern once, even if the pattern appears multiple times throughout his reef. In terms of theme integration, Reef opts for an abstract approach. The underwater, reef-building theme is more of a delightful veneer to the game mechanics than a deeply immersive narrative. Yes, the chunky, colorful coral pieces and the patterns you create can give the impression of a bustling, vibrant reef. However, the gameplay itself doesn’t inherently evoke a deep sense of underwater exploration or coral propagation. In this episode, we each share the top ten items from our 2023 Holiday Wishlists. Some practical and others, not so much.
Best Sellers
After looking at their cards and what is face-up in the market, each player takes one of each coral type (there are four different types of coral each of which has its own colour) and places them on their board, which is a four by four grid. For the first few games, players are encouraged to use the centre four spots of their boards. Once players are more familiar with the game they should start using the outside edge instead. Players have a hand limit of 4 cards. So if they already have 4 cards in their hand, they must play a card instead. It’s inevitable that players will take cards that you hope to get. So you’ll have to be able to adjust on the fly. Timing is crucial. Sometimes, it might be worth delaying the scoring of a card to allow for more optimal placements. While Reef isn’t a game of dramatic player conflict or cooperation, it does foster a subtle, under-the-surface tension that keeps everyone engaged throughout. Its interaction is like the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean—constant, but not overwhelmingly so.
Printed numbers within the shown pattern refer to the height of that coral piece. For example, a number 3 in a purple coral symbol means the purple piece on the player board must be at the 3rd level high.Each turn in Reef you do one thing: you either take a card from the market or play a card from your hand. One of the great things about Reef, which I think can be considered an improvement over Chess and many other abstract strategy games, is that having your plans disrupted doesn’t ruin the game for you. While you may not be able to do exactly what you wanted there are always more cards and other potential combos. In this way Reef can be rather tactical.
Of course, added to this is the fact that everyone else is trying to do the same thing, and may want the same card or cards that you do. Or perhaps they are just aiming for a massive payoff and you are need to stop them! Reef (2018) is a sequencing game where you grow a coral reef piece by piece. You play by placing Coral pieces on a 4-by-4 grid, trying to match patterns on the cards that you choose. It is a game about planning for future growth so that when your plans blossom fully you score oceans of points. Reef gets a high score on our “let’s play again” game meter. And not only from our family. It’s also a game that’s been a hit at our monthly Game Night with my buddies. Once the game ends, you get one last chance to score any cards that you still have in your hand. This works like scoring during the game except that you can only count each pattern once no matter how many times it may show up in your reef. puring the last round, when you must take coral pieces of a color whose supply does not contain enough pieces, take as many as you can from that supply and continue your turn as usual.
The player aids could be improved to include a summary of possible actions and examples of scoring patterns.
Great Deal 
New Comment