Apiary

I recently had the opportunity to play Apiary, a worker placement game where players take on the role of bee factions vying for dominance in a post-human world. The game is set in a unique and intriguing future where bees have evolved to become an advanced civilization, and the theme is well-integrated into the gameplay. Each player controls a faction with unique abilities and a hive that they must grow and develop.

The game is characterized by a tension between building a strong hive and ending the game early to maximize your victory points. The worker placement mechanism is well-executed, and the variety of actions available keeps each turn engaging. The components are high quality, and the artwork is beautiful. The game is surprisingly easy to learn for a worker placement game, even for those who are new to the genre.

I've enjoyed playing Apiary with both 2 and 5 players, and the game scales well to different player counts. While the gameplay is engaging, I found that the turns towards the end of the game can get a bit tedious if you are playing with perfectionists who analyze every move. Overall, though, this is a great game with plenty of replayability, thanks to the variety of factions, random elements, and different strategic choices.

If you're looking for a worker placement game with a fresh theme and a strong focus on engine building, I would highly recommend Apiary. It's a fun and engaging game that I've enjoyed playing again and again.