Wingspan is a board game that has been gaining popularity since its release in 2019. Created by Elizabeth Hargrave, the game is published by Stonemaier Games and features a unique theme centered around bird watching and conservation. The game has won many awards, including the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2019.
In Wingspan, players take on the role of bird enthusiasts competing to attract the most birds to their wildlife preserves. The game is designed for 1-5 players and can be played in about an hour. The game board features different habitats where players can place their birds, and each bird has unique abilities that can help players gain points and advance their strategies. The game also includes beautifully illustrated cards featuring over 170 different bird species.
Wingspan is a well-designed and engaging board game that offers a unique and educational experience for players. Its theme of bird watching and conservation sets it apart from other board games and makes it a great option for both experienced and new players.
Game Overview
Game Design
Wingspan is a board game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games. The game is set in North America and features over 170 unique bird cards with beautiful illustrations. The game has won several awards, including the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2019.
Engine-Building Mechanism
Wingspan is an engine-building game that challenges players to create the best bird sanctuary. Players must collect bird cards and place them in their habitats to score points. Each bird card has a unique ability that can be used to gain more cards, food, or eggs. The game also features dice rolling and resource management mechanics that add to the strategic depth of the game.
Digital Version
Wingspan also has a digital version available on various platforms, including Steam and Nintendo Switch. The digital version features stunning graphics and animations that bring the bird cards to life. The game also includes a tutorial mode and a single-player campaign mode for players to hone their skills.
Wingspan is a beautifully designed board game that offers a unique engine-building experience. The game’s bird theme and stunning illustrations make it a must-have for any board game enthusiast. The digital version also offers a great way to play the game on-the-go or with friends online.
Components of Wingspan
Wingspan is a board game that features a variety of components that players use to build their own bird habitats. The game comes with a number of high-quality components that are designed to be both visually appealing and functional. This section will provide an overview of the game’s main components.
Bird Cards
The bird cards are the heart of the game, representing the various species of birds that players can attract to their habitats. Each card features a beautiful illustration of a bird, along with information about its habitat, diet, and nesting habits. The cards are divided into three decks, each representing a different habitat: forest, grassland, and wetland.
Food Tokens
Food tokens represent the different types of food that birds need to survive and thrive in their habitats. There are five different types of food tokens in the game: berries, seeds, rodents, fish, and invertebrates. Players use these tokens to feed their birds and to gain points.
Player Mats
Each player has their own player mat that represents their bird habitat. The player mat is divided into three sections, each representing a different type of habitat: forest, grassland, and wetland. Players use their mats to keep track of their birds, food tokens, and eggs.
Wooden Dice
The game comes with five wooden dice that players use to take actions on their turn. Each die has a different symbol on each face, representing different actions such as gaining food, drawing bird cards, or laying eggs.
Bird feeder Dice Tower
The bird feeder dice tower is a unique component that adds an element of randomness to the game. Players roll their dice into the tower, which then dispenses them one at a time. This adds an element of surprise to the game, as players never know exactly which actions they will be able to take on their turn.
The components of Wingspan are high-quality and well-designed, adding to the enjoyment of the game. From the beautiful bird illustrations on the cards to the functional player mats and dice tower, each component serves a specific purpose and contributes to the theme and feel of the game.
Game play and Rules
Habitats
In Wingspan, players take turns placing birds into different habitats. Each habitat has its own unique requirements and can only hold a certain number of birds. Players must choose which birds to play in each habitat to maximize their points.
Special Powers
Besides their basic abilities, each bird in Wingspan also has a special power. These powers can be activated by spending food tokens and can give players an edge in the game. Some birds have powers that allow players to draw extra cards or gain extra food, while others allow players to score bonus points.
Bonus Cards
Throughout the game, players can earn bonus cards by meeting certain requirements. These cards can give players extra points or special abilities that can be used throughout the game. Players must consider which bonus cards to pursue to maximize their score.
Goals
At the beginning of the game, players are given a set of secret goals. These goals can range from having a certain number of birds in a particular habitat to having a certain number of birds with a specific type of food in their diet. Players must work towards these goals in order to earn extra points at the end of the game.
Wingspan is a game that requires careful strategy and planning to succeed. With its unique mechanics and beautiful artwork, it is sure to be a hit with board game enthusiasts of all ages.
Expansions
Wingspan has released two expansions so far, each adding new birds, cards, and game play mechanics.
European Expansion
The European Expansion adds 81 new bird cards, 15 egg miniatures, and 5 bonus cards to the game. It also introduces new game play mechanics such as birdhouses and food dice. The birdhouses allow players to store food for future rounds, while the food dice offer a chance to gain extra food when activated.
The European Expansion includes new end-of-round goals and a new set of bonus cards that focus on bird migration. These new elements add more variety and strategy to the game, making it even more challenging and engaging.
Oceania Expansion
The Oceania Expansion adds 95 new bird cards, 5 bonus cards, and 5 round goals to the game. It also introduces a new type of bird, the Swift, which can be played in any habitat and offers unique abilities.
The Oceania Expansion also includes new game play mechanics such as nectar, which can be used to attract birds, and the bird tray, which allows players to store birds for future rounds. The expansion also adds new end-of-round goals and bonus cards that focus on bird conservation.
The expansions add a lot of new content and game play mechanics to Wingspan, making it even more fun for players who have already mastered the base game. They are a great way to keep the game fresh and exciting, and they offer new challenges and strategies for players to explore.
Scientific and Educational Aspect
Wingspan is not only a fun and engaging board game but also an educational tool for learning about birds and their habitats. The game features over 170 illustrated bird cards, each with unique traits and abilities that mimic their real-life counterparts.
The game also incorporates scientific and educational aspects by providing players with information about each bird’s habitat, diet, and conservation status. This information is presented in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, making it accessible to players of all ages and backgrounds.
Besides the bird cards, Wingspan includes a birdhouse dice tower and eggs that players use to represent food sources for their birds. This mechanic reinforces the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and the delicate balance between predator and prey.
Wingspan’s educational value is further enhanced by its partnership with the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The game includes a QR code that links to the eBird database, allowing players to learn more about the birds featured in the game and their real-life counterparts.
Wingspan is an excellent tool for learning about birds and their habitats in a fun and engaging way. It provides players with valuable information about the importance of conservation and the role that each species plays in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Community and Impact
Wingspan has created a community of bird enthusiasts, researchers, and ornithologists who share a love for both board games and birds. The game’s unique theme and educational content have attracted a wide range of players, from casual gamers to serious collectors.
The game has also had a significant impact on the birding community. Wingspan has sparked interest in bird watching and has inspired players to learn more about the birds featured in the game. The game’s educational content has been praised by ornithologists and bird researchers, who appreciate the accurate information presented in the game.
Wingspan has also created a Facebook group where players can share their experiences playing the game, discuss strategy, and connect with other players. The group has become a hub for Wingspan fans, and has helped to foster a sense of community around the game.
Wingspan has had a positive impact on the board game and birding communities. The game’s unique theme and educational content have attracted a diverse group of players, and have helped to foster a love of birds and bird watching among players.