Objective of the Game
Parks is a board game where players aim to score the most points by collecting resources and visiting national parks. Players take on the roles of hikers who traverse various trails to gather resources and visit their chosen parks.
Number of Players
- 2 to 5 players
Game Components
- Game board with trail pathway
- Hiker figures
- Season cards and park cards
- Resource tokens (water, sun, mountain, forest, animal tokens)
- Gear cards
- Season tiles
Gameplay
The game is played over four seasons (rounds). In each season, players collect resources to visit different national parks.
Setup
- Build the Trail: At the start of each season, the trail is set up with various spaces. Players move their hikers to these spaces to collect resources and perform actions.
- Reveal Season Card: This card provides a recurring effect or a special condition for the season.
Turn Sequence
- Each player has two hikers. On each turn, a player moves one of their hikers along the trail.
- Collect Resources: Depending on the space, resources such as sun, water, mountains, and forest can be collected. Animal tokens can be used as wilds for missing resources.
- Take Photographs: There are spaces that allow players to take photos, which provide additional points at the end.
Visiting Parks
- At the end of the trail, players can spend their collected resources to visit a park. Each park requires specific resources.
Gear and Canteen
- Players can acquire gear cards during their turn, providing various bonuses and special actions.
- Canteens can be activated when water is collected to utilize other benefits.
Seasonal Changes
At the end of a season, all hikers return to the start, the trail is rebuilt, and the game begins anew with a new season card.
End of the Game
After the fourth season, the game ends. Players count their points from visited parks, photos, and equipment.
Strategic Tips
- Long-Term Planning: Resources are limited, so it's important to plan which parks to visit in advance.
- Flexibility: Wisely use animal tokens to adapt to changing situations.
- Timing: Since hikers can block each other on the trail, timing is crucial for landing on key spaces.
Special Features
The game offers a picturesque depiction of national parks and provides a relaxing yet strategic gameplay experience, making it especially appealing to nature enthusiasts and strategic players.