Treeblox Abstract Strategy Game Overview
One of my favorite things on this site is to create articles that combine various items. We do it annually with our holiday gift guides to help our readers find ideas they might not have considered. On occasion, we craft articles such as how to host a sushi-themed game night, games about cats or an assortment of holiday-themed games (Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas to name a few). About a month ago, I received an email from someone with a game on our list of tree-themed games. These articles are crafted based on our own research and often we don’t connect with the owners of the items on the list. Well, he wanted to express his appreciation as several of our readers had reached out to him about his game. It’s heartwarming to know that such lists have a positive impact that extends beyond our SahmReviews’ community. We don’t actively try to update those lists, but we do find ones that would fit the bill. As an example, we recently received a copy of Treeblox from Emergent Plant Life, a 2-person strategy game about having the most leaves on the forest canopy.
Treeblox consists of a board and four colors of blocks. The white and black blocks represent light and dark branches while the two colors of green blocks correlate to the leaves for each of those two types of branches. One player will utilize the dark trees and the other the light.
Trees fight for resources to have more active, unshaded branches. Players take turns adding branches and leaves to the board in order to achieve this objective. As you stand above the board and look down, the active leaves are the ones you can directly see. On your turn, you’ll count the number you have then take your turn based on the result (referred to as the growth rate). If you have fewer than three active branches, you may add one cube to the forest. If you have three or more, then you may add two.
You’ll place those cubes in any available space. You may begin a new tree by placing a branch on the forest floor or attach a branch to an existing tree. Leaves may be placed into open spaces on existing branches, but they don’t grow from other leaves.
You must pass if there are no available spaces. The game is over if both players pass or if a player runs out of cubes. The end of the game may also be triggered if a player has no active leaves. In other words, all their leaves are covered by overhanging branches or other leaves. When this happens, the other player has a final growth spurt and places all their available cubes. The player with the most active leaves claims victory.
While it’s designed as a strategy game, it was inspired by nature. The next time you’re amidst a grouping of trees, take note of the number of active and inactive patches of leaves. Hone your green thumb by ordering a copy from Amazon. Visit the Treeblox website and social channels (Facebook, Twitter) to learn more about the game.
What types of trees are in your yard?
