Takenoko

Kawaiiiiii! ｡◕ ‿ ◕｡

Takenoko is a light strategy game where players take on the role of an imperial gardener charged with tending the emperor's bamboo garden and caring for his hungry giant panda.

Players compete to earn the most victory points from completing tasks. Tasks come in 3 varieties: feeding the panda, farming bamboo, and placing bamboo fields.

With adorable artwork and a title that literally means "bamboo shoot", Takenoko makes a great family game and gateway game. The rules are simple and easy to learn. The rulebook very clearly explains the player actions and includes illustrations that are both helpful and humorous.

The weather die is pleasantly thematic. Each type of weather influences the current player's turn in a unique way (an extra action, a garden improvement, a duplicate action, and so on). This may inject more luck than some gamers are comfortable with, but we found learning to roll with the weather conditions to be a meaningful part of the gameplay.

Takenoko comes in a well designed box and includes high quality components. The box art, wooden bamboo segments, panda & gardener miniatures, and bamboo field game pieces have a consistent friendly and colorful theme.

My wife fell in love with Takenoko at first site and won't be the only one. Takenoko is quick and light-hearted. It's a great addition to our collection!

Summary:

• 2-4 players, 45 minutes
• + cute
• + really cute ~_^
• + extremely cute ^_^ (ok, I'm done ~_^)
• + high quality box and components
• + quick and fun
• + great family game
• + easy to learn
• + easy to teach
• + great gateway game
• • wish we had the collectors edition
• - my wife wants to frame the box @_@

More information about Takenoko can be found at asmodee.com/~/takenoko.php.