PARKS (2019)

PLAYERS	TIME	DESIGNER	PUBLISHER
1-5	30-60 mins	Henry Audubon	Keymaster Games

In this 1-5 player Hiking game, you are trekking through different trails, collecting resources, taking pictures, and visiting the National Parks of the US.

The game works a little like TOKAIDO, with the player in last place having the next turn.

What’s different is that players have two hikers, and with the strategic use of your Camp Fire, you can stop on a space with another hiker, at least once per season.

First off, I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that the main appeal of this game is how amazing it looks. From the gorgeous art on the cards, to the wooden tokens, the production value on this is great.

On top of that, PARKS has one of the best game inserts ever, being not only practical, but thematic too.

Turns are short which keeps the flow going, and each player begins the game with a goal to point them in a direction for their collection.

The game has a modular board to aid with replayability as well as a host of cards that mix things up with resources, round bonuses, and player gear always being different.

However the game has a little take that in there which steers it away from its more relaxing theme.

It can be frustrating to see an opponent reach the end and take the only Park card you had the resources for.

And on the trail itself, it’s annoying when you get blocked on a space. Sure, you have your campfire. But that’s used once per season and without it, you’re blocked.

So some turns can get quite thinky as you weigh up the risk of hoping something will be available or going further ahead on the trail to get a guarantee.

Overall, PARKS is a game that impresses when set up on the table and has a great amount of options in set up to play a little different each time. It has a chilled looking surface, with a cutthroat core hiding below the surface.