I had never heard of this game before and received it for Christmas this year. The game is beautiful and the pieces are printed on nice thick, sturdy cardboard that feels great in your hands. Also the storage in the box is expertly thought out, there's a place for everything and it should help expedite set up and tear down of the game. I can't wait to actually play it.
I'd recommend playing it at various player counts if you can. I've played 2, 3, 4, & 5 player games and that can make things feel quite different. At 5 players the hiking trail is just jammed packed. At 2 players, ever move you make you worry if you're falling behind the other player.
Some of the prettiest art in a game I've seen. I avoided it because of the promotions with the park cards having those symbols below, as it made me rhink in a paint-by-number design of collect the resources and score.
A friend brought this over last week. We played with 5, which took a long time, and no one reached their end-of-game bonus. The artwork is wonderful, and it has elements of 2 games we love: Tokaido and Splendor.
Spot on about the aesthetic appeal. I recently got into modern games with my wife who is not at all a gamer. We visited a local board game shop last month with the intention of us buying a couple games we both might like, and this is the one she picked out for us to play.
Got it for Christmas this last year and absolutely love it. It's quick to pick up and play and is easily one of the move beautiful games in my collection.
Plus, one of the things I love about the main Dice Tower reviews is that they don't just read from scripts, they feel like they're actually telling you what they feel and think about a game like they're having a conversation with you.
This is the first thing I ever backed on Kickstarter and it was literally only because of the art - I couldn’t get the prints from the art series shipped to Australia. Great review Zee, looking forward to receiving it in the mail!
I'm curious how many people prefer Parks to Trekking the National Parks or vice versa. I'm interested in both games, but not sure my collection needs both games with such similar themes.
I have a question- there is a new game coming out in 2023 called HIKE IT. I would be interested to know how these two games (Parks and Hike It) compare, and which game is better? I think it would be a great game theme to have for people/families to take on a camping trip.
I have PARKS and have played it many times. I don't have HIKE IT, but considered it and backed the kickstarter at a low level without actually getting it just to support it, since I like the designer. I decided not to get it after I watched the play-through video and decided it was too fiddly for my old brain. PARKS is more abstract and less like an actual hike. It has beautiful components and great game play, but at heart it's an abstract game with a nice theme. HIKE IT is more like an actual simulation of a hike, with a map and gear and weather (PARKS has gear and weather too, but on a much more abstract level.) It also has more stuff to keep track of. For myself, my choice would be TRAILS, by the same company as PARKS. It's very similar but simpler (and less expensive and has a smaller box.) But if you want something that feels like an actual hike, I think HIKE IT is that game.
Awesome review as usual. I know I can count on ya because we have very similar taste in games. But today I miss your opinion about the solo mode. Could you write me, if the game is still enjoyable in solo mode? Thank you. Stay safe
Great review! I'd already picked up the game, but this helped explain the rules. The only thing that was off-putting was that Zee kept referring to the Sunshine tokens as "Splendor." Is that what they were called in the original kickstarter campaign?
Ordered my german copy today... very anxious to play it. Thanks Adam from No Rolls Barred for putting this game on my list and thanks Zee for the great tutorial (as usual) :D
I think it must be a great game, but from the first moment I saw this game I've been wondering: What stops me from rushing to the trail end immediately? I couldn't find a rule in the rulebook that says you can't go to the trail end without visiting a site first. Did I miss anything? And can I go to the trail end after visiting just one site?
You can, but you won't be able to visit any parks (which is how you earn points) unless you have tokens to pay for them. And the only way to get tokens is to visit the places on the path. That's one of the decisions you have to make: should you linger on the path and get lots of tokens, or hurry to the end and spend what tokens you've picked up?
This is the most complicated game... My poor family. I think the age range needs to be changed .. 17-30 with caffeine or a 5 hour energy drink to be able to focus in all the dozens of steps
I don't get the positive for theme: you collect mountains and trees and such to pay with to visit parks and fill a canteen with water to get for instance a mountain? You have to pay resources to take a picture? Doesn't make any sense to me. The game does look great, but the lack of logic as I see it form this review makes this a pass for me.
YOu need water in your canteen to diverge from your planned course and take a side trek to visit the mountains. You can only fill up your canteen with water if you collect water. Use your imagination. Maybe collecting a mountain is collecting the experience of visiting that place
I had never heard of this game before and received it for Christmas this year. The game is beautiful and the pieces are printed on nice thick, sturdy cardboard that feels great in your hands. Also the storage in the box is expertly thought out, there's a place for everything and it should help expedite set up and tear down of the game. I can't wait to actually play it.
I'd recommend playing it at various player counts if you can. I've played 2, 3, 4, & 5 player games and that can make things feel quite different. At 5 players the hiking trail is just jammed packed. At 2 players, ever move you make you worry if you're falling behind the other player.
Parks looks fun and beautiful. I’m getting a bit of a Tokaido feel from the travelling. Can’t wait to play it!
@chrles Dieu totally agree, the art work is just amazing..
Some of the prettiest art in a game I've seen. I avoided it because of the promotions with the park cards having those symbols below, as it made me rhink in a paint-by-number design of collect the resources and score.
A friend brought this over last week. We played with 5, which took a long time, and no one reached their end-of-game bonus. The artwork is wonderful, and it has elements of 2 games we love: Tokaido and Splendor.
If you get the Nightfall expansion it fixes some of the issues with year end bonuses. It makes the game perfect in my opinion.
Excellent review. Thank you for taking the time.
Spot on about the aesthetic appeal. I recently got into modern games with my wife who is not at all a gamer. We visited a local board game shop last month with the intention of us buying a couple games we both might like, and this is the one she picked out for us to play.
Got it for Christmas this last year and absolutely love it. It's quick to pick up and play and is easily one of the move beautiful games in my collection.
Another great review, Zee. Always thoughtful and informative. I’m going for it!
Love the new "bottom line" segment
I think the bottom line segment is super awkward - it really breaks up the flow of Zee's conclusion.
Plus, one of the things I love about the main Dice Tower reviews is that they don't just read from scripts, they feel like they're actually telling you what they feel and think about a game like they're having a conversation with you.
This is the first thing I ever backed on Kickstarter and it was literally only because of the art - I couldn’t get the prints from the art series shipped to Australia. Great review Zee, looking forward to receiving it in the mail!
Nice review Zee...
It is a great looking game....
Think it will be a big hit...
Good job 😁
I bought this game today just because of the artwork. That and I have heard so many good things about this game
A small section showing with more details the component like Tom do would have been particularly nice for this game. Nice review tho, good job Zee.
Played yesterday at Gen Con. It sure is beautiful! It is a simple play. I hope it gets an expansion for some variety and obstacles/conflict.
Not a simple play lol
Hey Zee, excellent review as usual. So is this or Trekking The National Parks your favorite?
I'm curious how many people prefer Parks to Trekking the National Parks or vice versa. I'm interested in both games, but not sure my collection needs both games with such similar themes.
They play VERY differently though.
This is what I'm looking for^
Excited to get my Kickstarter version of this game! Great Review Zee!
Glad to see the positive review. Can't wait to receive my copy when they start shipping out to backers :)
I have a question- there is a new game coming out in 2023 called HIKE IT. I would be interested to know how these two games (Parks and Hike It) compare, and which game is better? I think it would be a great game theme to have for people/families to take on a camping trip.
I have PARKS and have played it many times. I don't have HIKE IT, but considered it and backed the kickstarter at a low level without actually getting it just to support it, since I like the designer. I decided not to get it after I watched the play-through video and decided it was too fiddly for my old brain.
PARKS is more abstract and less like an actual hike. It has beautiful components and great game play, but at heart it's an abstract game with a nice theme. HIKE IT is more like an actual simulation of a hike, with a map and gear and weather (PARKS has gear and weather too, but on a much more abstract level.) It also has more stuff to keep track of.
For myself, my choice would be TRAILS, by the same company as PARKS. It's very similar but simpler (and less expensive and has a smaller box.) But if you want something that feels like an actual hike, I think HIKE IT is that game.
I have a bunch of these prints on my wall
This is a beautiful looking game. Great art!
And not much else going for it.
I got this game at a white elephant gift exchange. Looks really fun.
Awesome review as usual. I know I can count on ya because we have very similar taste in games. But today I miss your opinion about the solo mode. Could you write me, if the game is still enjoyable in solo mode? Thank you. Stay safe
Thank you for this, it was really helpful!
Can’t believe I overlooked this.
wowwwwwwwwwwwww kickstarter backer here excited for this game! it looks amazing!
Looks like Tokaido, but a little more complicated. Looks like a must-own. Gameplay and theme looks absolutely fantastic.
May anyone help me to decide what to get. I'm choosing between Parks or Earth. Thanks!
My first backed kickstarter! Looking forward to it arriving on my doorstep soon.
Fireplace = Campfire
Another Kickstarter supporter here - excited for the review :-D
After seeing your review I would guess that people who like Viticulture will also enjoy this game :-)
Great review! I'd already picked up the game, but this helped explain the rules. The only thing that was off-putting was that Zee kept referring to the Sunshine tokens as "Splendor." Is that what they were called in the original kickstarter campaign?
*Watch other playthrough/review videos of this game* HUH?! 😐
*Watch Zee’s review for two minutes* Ahhh! NOW I understand! 😃
Beautiful game, i'd rather have the prints than the game though.
If I dislike - nearly hate - Tokaido, would I like this game?
As someone else said, I want the artwork - not sure the game is worth it
Probably not.
Awesome review dude !
Does anyone know the exact box dimensions? The ones listed on BGG seem to be incorrect.
Ordered my german copy today... very anxious to play it. Thanks Adam from No Rolls Barred for putting this game on my list and thanks Zee for the great tutorial (as usual) :D
I think it must be a great game, but from the first moment I saw this game I've been wondering: What stops me from rushing to the trail end immediately? I couldn't find a rule in the rulebook that says you can't go to the trail end without visiting a site first. Did I miss anything? And can I go to the trail end after visiting just one site?
You can, but you won't be able to visit any parks (which is how you earn points) unless you have tokens to pay for them. And the only way to get tokens is to visit the places on the path. That's one of the decisions you have to make: should you linger on the path and get lots of tokens, or hurry to the end and spend what tokens you've picked up?
I almost backed this game.
Can anyone explain the difference between strategy and tactics?
Good. Cuz I’ve got 3 copies coming... :)
Sure looks splendid, but man the game-play seems real drab.
conillet We’ve played a few games of it now and have found it pretty fun.
It is
Why couldn't the meeples just be blanks?
This is the most complicated game... My poor family. I think the age range needs to be changed .. 17-30 with caffeine or a 5 hour energy drink to be able to focus in all the dozens of steps
Ikr. I cannot learn at all how to play this no matter how hard I try
I don't get the positive for theme: you collect mountains and trees and such to pay with to visit parks and fill a canteen with water to get for instance a mountain? You have to pay resources to take a picture? Doesn't make any sense to me. The game does look great, but the lack of logic as I see it form this review makes this a pass for me.
YOu need water in your canteen to diverge from your planned course and take a side trek to visit the mountains. You can only fill up your canteen with water if you collect water. Use your imagination. Maybe collecting a mountain is collecting the experience of visiting that place
It's a pass trust me. This is the hardest game to learn I've ever seen
Looks superb, but plays kinda meh, from what I can see from this review. Shame, gonna have to pass.
All style, no substance.
Pretty game