Foodie Forest Review

Foodie Forest is a delightful little trick-taking game from Reiner Knizia that's sure to leave you chuckling. It's not your typical trick-taking game, though. Instead of a single card showdown, you build up the pile, turn by turn, until someone pushes it over the edge of 10. The player who adds the card that pushes the pile over 10 takes the whole stack, and that's where the real fun begins.

Each round brings a new challenge. You have to collect as many cards of a certain type - mushrooms, peas, onions, or chili peppers - or try to avoid taking any cards at all. The twist? You only get to pick one goal out of the five, and everyone knows what everyone else is going for! This makes for some hilarious moments where you're trying to strategically avoid picking up the card you really need, just to keep someone else from getting it. And the chili pepper cards? They're a real wildcard - worth -1 unless you're specifically trying to collect them. So, you might find yourself taking a pile of those just to sabotage someone else's goal.

What I love most about Foodie Forest is how the game manages to be both strategic and lighthearted. The rules are simple, yet the game offers a surprising amount of depth. It's also consistently a half-hour game, which is perfect for a quick, satisfying play session. I can definitely see myself pulling this game out for a casual game night with friends.

If you're looking for a unique trick-taking game with a dash of humor and a healthy dose of strategy, give Foodie Forest a try. You won't be disappointed.