Renature

Picture a valley that was once polluted and is now slowly coming back to life. In Renature you help nature win back what is hers. Along a babbling stream you place dominoes with animals on them, and after that you plant flowers and shrubs on the surrounding land. The only question is: when do you plant what, and which spot will earn you the most points? Each turn you play a tile from your hand that matches all of its neighbours. Then you may place a plant in an area. The bigger and fuller that area becomes, the more points you score. And when an area later gets completely surrounded, or is counted at the end of the game, there is more to be earned. So you keep a close eye on your opponents, because they have their sights on the same spots as you. Renature comes from the famous duo Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling, and you can tell. The rules are explained in no time, but beneath that simplicity sits a pile of choices and exciting trade-offs. With its beautiful components and its calm, green theme, this is a game that works just as well on a cosy evening as with keen players who want to puzzle until the very last tile.