Everdell Review
Everdell is a forest-themed city building game designed by James A. Wilson and published by Starling Games in 2018. Players control groups of woodland critters building thriving cities through resource management and strategic card play.
This charming worker placement game combines tableau building with a delightful woodland aesthetic. Players gather resources like twigs, resin, pebbles, and berries to construct buildings and attract critters across four seasons.
The game seats one to four players and takes roughly 40 to 80 minutes to complete. With its accessible rules and gentle strategic depth, Everdell appeals to both casual gamers and strategy enthusiasts looking for a lighter Euro experience.
Everdell Game Overview
Everdell places players in a charming valley where forest critters establish new cities. The goal is to build the most prosperous city by playing cards, placing workers, and managing resources efficiently across the changing seasons.
Players start with a small collection of workers and gradually expand their workforce as the seasons progress from winter through fall. Each turn allows one of three actions: place a worker to gather resources, play a card to build your city, or prepare for the next season.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | James A. Wilson |
| Publisher | Starling Games |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Players | 1-4 |
| Age Range | 10+ |
| Playing Time | 40-80 minutes |
| Game Type | Worker Placement, City Building, Tableau Building |
| Complexity Rating | 2.83 / 5 |
What’s in the Everdell Box
Everdell includes high-quality components that enhance the woodland theme. The standout piece is the impressive 3D tree that serves as both storage and part of the game board.
The game features 128 beautifully illustrated cards showing various critters and constructions. Each card displays gorgeous artwork by Andrew Bosley that brings the forest setting to life.
Components include:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Cards | 128 cards (critters and constructions) |
| Tree Board | 1 large 3D evergreen tree |
| Workers | 30 wooden worker meeples |
| Resources | Twigs, resin, pebbles, and berry tokens |
| Point Tokens | 20 point tokens and 30 occupied tokens |
| Event Tiles | 16 special and basic event tiles |
The cardboard tokens are thick and durable. The wooden meeples represent different worker types and add tactile satisfaction to gameplay. Overall, the production quality matches the premium presentation.
Everdell Pros and Cons
Pros
- Beautiful artwork and presentation with the impressive 3D tree centerpiece
- Easy to learn rules that new players grasp quickly
- Gentle strategic depth provides satisfying decisions without overwhelming complexity
- Scales well from one to four players with balanced gameplay
- Quick playtime keeps games moving at a comfortable pace
- Free critter mechanism rewards planning when pairing constructions with matching critters
Cons
- Limited card combos compared to heavier engine builders
- Can feel repetitive after numerous plays without expansions
- Turn order advantage gives first players notable benefits
- Luck of the draw impacts available strategies significantly
- Competition for worker placement spots creates frustration in larger games
How to Play Everdell
Everdell progresses through four seasons, with players taking turns performing single actions. The game begins in late winter with players receiving starting cards and two workers.
Setup
Place the game board and tree in the center of the table. Shuffle the deck of cards and place eight face-up in the meadow. Give each player a city board, starting cards, and two worker meeples. Place resource tokens and event tiles within reach.
Turn Structure
On your turn, choose one of three actions. You can place a worker on an available location to gather resources or trigger special abilities. Workers stay on locations until you prepare for the next season.
Alternatively, play a card from your hand or the meadow by paying its resource cost. Constructions and critters both count toward your 15-card city limit. Some cards provide immediate benefits while others activate during specific phases.
The third option is preparing for the next season. This returns your workers and grants additional workers based on the new season. Other players continue taking turns while you wait for everyone to prepare.
Card Synergies
Everdell rewards smart pairing of constructions with critters. Building a farm allows you to play the farmer critter for free instead of paying its resource cost. These free plays provide significant advantages.
Cards fall into five categories: Travelers, Production, Destination, Governance, and Prosperity. Each type serves different strategic purposes, from generating resources to scoring victory points.
Winning the Game
After everyone completes winter, count victory points from cards, events, and remaining resources. The player with the highest total wins. Tiebreakers consider event tiles collected and leftover resources.
Where to Buy Everdell
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Available |
| Local Game Stores | Widely stocked |
| Starling Games Website | Direct from publisher |
| Board Game Retailers | Most major retailers carry it |
Everdell Game Mechanics
Everdell combines several popular board game mechanisms into a cohesive package. The worker placement system forms the backbone, requiring players to compete for limited action spaces.
Tableau building allows players to construct unique cities. Each card played adds to your personal area, creating combinations that generate resources or score points. The open drafting from the meadow adds tactical variety since cards refresh regularly.
Hand management matters significantly. You must decide when to play cards versus holding them for better opportunities. The resource management aspect stays straightforward with only four resource types to track.
Income mechanisms trigger at season changes, rewarding engine building. Production cards generate resources automatically, while other cards provide benefits when workers activate them.
The contract system through event tiles gives players optional goals. Completing events provides bonus points but requires specific card combinations or quantities. This adds another layer of strategic planning to city construction.
Who Should Play Everdell
Everdell works well for players seeking lighter strategic experiences. The rules teach quickly, making it accessible for families with older children or groups introducing new gamers to modern board games.
Fans of resource management and engine building will appreciate the card combinations and planning opportunities. The game provides satisfying decisions without the mental strain of heavier Euro games.
Players who enjoy beautiful components and thematic presentation will love the woodland aesthetic. The 3D tree and charming artwork create an inviting table presence that draws attention.
This game suits groups wanting 60-minute sessions rather than marathon gaming. Its playtime fits nicely between lighter games and heavyweight strategy experiences.
Everdell compares favorably to games like Agricola and Wingspan. If you enjoyed those titles but want something less complex, Everdell hits the sweet spot. It shares DNA with popular Kickstarter success stories that balance accessibility with depth.
Skip this game if you prefer direct player conflict or heavy interaction. Everdell leans toward peaceful competition where blocking actions provides the main interaction. Players seeking deep combos or complex card interactions might find it lacking.
FAQ
Is Everdell good for beginners?
Everdell serves as an excellent introduction to worker placement and tableau building. The rules are straightforward, with players choosing from only three possible actions each turn. The gentle learning curve and beautiful presentation help new players feel comfortable while still providing meaningful strategic decisions.
How long does Everdell take to play?
A typical game lasts 40 to 80 minutes depending on player count and experience. Two-player games usually finish closer to 45 minutes, while four-player games extend toward the 80-minute range. Setup takes about 5 minutes once familiar with the components.
What is the best player count for Everdell?
Everdell plays well at all player counts from one to four. Many players prefer it at two or three players where competition for worker spaces stays tight without excessive blocking. The solo mode provides a satisfying puzzle, while four players adds more tension to action selection.
Are there expansions for Everdell?
Several expansions enhance Everdell’s replayability. Spirecrest adds new locations and weather mechanics. Newleaf introduces trains and station building. Pearlbrook brings underwater exploration. Bellfaire includes components for fifth and sixth players plus market and fair modules. Each expansion integrates smoothly with the base game.
What games are similar to Everdell?
If you enjoy Everdell, consider trying Wingspan for bird-themed tableau building, Agricola for deeper worker placement, or other card-based strategy games. Architects of the West Kingdom offers comparable complexity with a medieval theme. Terraforming Mars provides more engine building with longer playtime.
