Board games have covered farms, railways and space empires, but woodland management is rarer, and Ringyō makes a strong case for it. Designed by Charlie McCarron, this simultaneous worker-placement game casts one to four players as daimyō tending their own patch of forest in Edo-period Japan, and it is on Kickstarter now.
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Start organising for freeThe twist is right there in the theme. 林業 (ringyō) means "forestry", and rather than clear-cutting for a quick win, you are rewarded for planting, harvesting and managing your woodland with an eye on the long term. Everyone chooses their actions at the same time, then sends samurai foresters into key intersections to build structures, plant trees and climb various tracks. After five rounds, the daimyō with the most favour is named the Shōgun's chosen lord. It plays in 45 to 90 minutes, suits ages 14 and up and sits at a comfortable medium weight.
There is real pedigree behind it. McCarron previously designed Four Humours and Skyrockets: Festivals of Fire, and Ringyō is dressed by artist Kwanchai Moriya, whose bold, colourful work you will know from Apiary and Dinosaur Island. It comes from Paverson Games, the studio behind recent releases Distilled and Class of '89.
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Find events near youThe campaign has already sailed past its funding goal and is now into its final days, so if a thoughtful, good-looking game about growing a forest appeals, this is the moment to jump in. Fancy getting it to the table with your group once it arrives? Find a game night near you.
Sources: Paverson Games | Board Game Quest
