Photosynthesis is a beautiful game by BlueOrange Games. BEAUTIFUL. It’s one of my favorite new games of the year. I LOVE the tree theme, play is so unique, and the design is gorgeous.
We have many games from BlueOrange and they are all so unique. I love a game that has a strong theme, especially one NOT related to pop-culture or with obnoxious art. Their nature theme games are so beautiful and wholesome, exactly the kinds of games I want in our family collection.
I don’t usually sit down and help my kids learn to play a new game, they can’t wait for me, they are so excited to bust it out immediately. They figure it out the best they can and then as soon as I am able I read through the rules and play with them. When there’s something they don’t understand they make up their own rule so we iron all those wrinkles out and everyone is much happier. :) But it’s a great mental exercise for them to try to figure it out, so I always allow them that opportunity.
The object of this game is to plant seeds and grow trees to maturity. Mature trees can be harvested for points, and the player with the most points wins the game.
As always, there’s a variety of actions to take on a turn and everything costs “Light Points,” so you have to decide on a strategy right off the bat.
Each player has a board with seedlings and small, medium, and large trees. The numbers on the left are where each player keeps track of their own light points, accumulated at the beginning of each round.
The game starts with every player placing two small trees in the outer ring of the forest. Placement is important because light points are earned for every tree that receives the full light of the sun without being blocked by bigger trees.
As play progresses and more trees of varying sizes fill up the board, not every tree receives light points each round. The sun pieces has arrows and the circles on the board are organized in straight lines to help players determine which trees are in sun vs. shadow. The sun pieces moves around the board, casting light on the trees from different directions.
Large trees block any trees up to 3 circles directly behind it, medium trees block for 2 circles, and small trees block only 1 circle. If larger trees are behind smaller trees, they both get light points.
The circle at the very center of the board with 4 leaves is worth the most points, which can only be earned once a seedling is planted in that circle and grown to a small, medium, and then large tree and finally harvested. Each step costs an increasing number of points and only one action can be taken per tree/circle each turn.
The concentric circles on the board point value groups. The highest points are earned from the center circle (4 leaves). The next ring of 3 leaf circles is worth fewer points, 2 leaves are worth fewer points, and the outermost rings are worth the fewest points.
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The rules are pretty simple but because of the constantly moving sun and the battle for light points, the game is a brilliant struggle between players. I’m excited to continue playing this game and perfect my strategy!
The beautiful nature theme has so many unit study possibilities, and you know that’s something I value highly in a game! We’ve supplemented our play with some simple investigations into plant growth, photosynthesis, all the jobs of the sun, and more.
Photosynthesis is a must-have game in any family collection – we love it and you will too!
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Thanks to Blue Orange Games for sponsoring this review. I received this game free of charge to facilitate this review, but all my high opinions of this game is sincere and honest. I hope your family enjoys it as much as we do!
