Cascadia

Cascadia has quickly become a favorite in our household. The game is simple to learn, with players taking turns placing hexagonal habitat tiles and wildlife tokens to create their own unique ecosystems. The artwork is stunning, showcasing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and the components are well-made, with thick cardstock tiles and tokens.

What surprised me most about Cascadia is its depth. While the basic rules are easy to grasp, the strategic decisions you make each turn can have a significant impact on your score. You need to carefully consider the placement of your tiles, aiming to create large, connected areas of each habitat type. At the same time, you must choose wildlife tokens that will maximize your points based on the randomly selected scoring cards. It's a delightful puzzle that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Cascadia is also a fantastic family game, suitable for players of all ages. My kids, ages 9 and 11, love the theme and the animal tokens, and they quickly grasp the core strategies. Even the less "hardcore" players in our group find it enjoyable, as the game is easy to learn and offers a satisfying level of challenge. The fact that every game plays differently thanks to the randomized scoring cards adds to the replayability, making it a game we return to time and time again.

Overall, I highly recommend Cascadia to anyone looking for a fun, engaging, and beautiful tile-laying game. It's a perfect choice for families, casual gamers, and even experienced board game enthusiasts.