Something new in area control topic, because sharing is caring right?
I always liked working in the garden, could a magical garden be even better?
Power plants
Components
I played the deluxe version, so the components might differ from what you’ve seen or will see in the standard edition. That said, the quality is excellent. The box doesn’t reflect the high standard of the contents inside. The insert included in the deluxe version is well-designed—nothing rolls around during transport. The wooden tokens are beautifully organized, almost like casino chips.
Finally, a game with no cards to sleeve! While you might be tempted to sleeve the plant cards, they’re not of any standard size, and sleeving them wouldn’t really impact gameplay.
In the deluxe version, the cardboard tokens from the standard edition are replaced with plastic and wooden ones. They feel great to the touch and come in various shapes, adding a nice tactile element to the game.
Set-up
There’s not much setup required, as the board is built during gameplay. After selecting five plants, take one of each token to form your starting garden, and three more for the exchange pool. The rest go into the bag. Hand out the player “spirits,” and you’re ready to go. The whole process takes about two minutes.
Rules
The rulebook is just seven pages long, and most of the rules are also printed on the plant cards. Beyond that, it’s mostly about scoring and start/endgame conditions. Everything is straightforward and easy to grasp.
Gameplay
The box suggests a 30-minute playtime, but we found that it varies depending on the plants in play—anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes is realistic.
Why such a wide range? Each plant you place offers two possible actions. Some are simple, like spreading influence to nearby tokens. Others are more complex—changing the board, pushing tokens, or interacting with opponents. These can lead to some very strategic and challenging decisions, especially in the endgame, where planning ahead becomes difficult. After placing a token, you draw a new one from the bag and start thinking all over again.
Is it fun? I’d say yes. Building the garden is enjoyable, and the variety of plants adds replayability. The deluxe edition includes extra powers that add depth. Still, I was hoping for more from the “building” aspect. Unless you use specific plants, the garden doesn’t grow vertically, and there aren’t many comeback mechanics depending on the plant selection.
The game supports 1 to 5 players. I played with 3 and 4 players, and in my opinion, the more, the better. While the game takes longer, it also introduces more interaction. Everyone competes for high-value fields and scoring opportunities. You’re never safe, and the longer you wait for your turn, the more you need to think ahead and make your move count.
Score
- Overall 7/10 – A solid game with lots of interesting mechanics, though it didn’t quite win me over emotionally.
- Coming back 6/10 – The deluxe edition offers a wide variety of plants, making each game feel fresh.
- Fun factor 7/10 – Sometimes I wished the game lasted longer, especially when using plants that allow vertical building—it looks fantastic.
Will it stay or go? – I’ll gladly play it from time to time, so it’s a stay for now
