Exploring the Roots of Undergrove

Undergrove invites players into the hidden world beneath the forest floor, where trees and fungi work together in a delicate balance. As towering evergreens, players must harness the powers of the fungi to nurture their seedlings and grow their legacy in the forest. This area control and tile placement game is inspired by real mycorrhizal networks, combining clever resource management with a visually stunning, nature-themed design.

At its core, Undergrove is a game of careful planning and subtle strategy. Players must trade with fungi, optimize their actions, and place their seedlings in key positions to score the most points. The game’s unique theme and mechanics set it apart from other games in the genre, offering an experience that feels fresh yet familiar.

Strategic Depth with Simple Mechanics

On the surface, Undergrove appears to be a straightforward area control and tile placement game. However, it quickly reveals layers of depth as you explore its mechanics. The game revolves around trading resources with fungi and using those resources to grow your seedlings. Each decision impacts not only your own success but also that of your opponents, creating an engaging interplay of actions and reactions.

The rules are relatively simple, making Undergrove accessible to newcomers, but the strategic depth keeps seasoned players invested. It takes a game or two to fully grasp the flow of actions and how best to optimize your moves, but once you get the hang of it, Undergrove becomes a smooth and satisfying experience.

Stunning Artwork Enhances the Experience

One of Undergrove‘s strongest selling points is its artwork. The vibrant illustrations of mushrooms, trees, and the forest floor are more than just eye candy; they help to immerse players in the theme and create a sense of connection to the natural world. The deluxe edition, in particular, stands out with its high-quality components and detailed tiles, offering great value for the price.

While the artwork doesn’t impact the gameplay mechanics directly, it elevates the overall experience, making Undergrove not only fun to play but also a pleasure to look at. For many players, this attention to detail will be a major draw.

Light Player Interaction

If you’re looking for a game with intense player interaction, Undergrove might fall a little short. The game’s interaction mainly revolves around competing for space on the shared forest board, with occasional opportunities to benefit from your opponents’ actions. While this keeps the gameplay relatively peaceful and low-conflict, it does limit the opportunities for direct engagement with other players.

However, this lower level of interaction can be a positive for some groups, particularly those looking for a more relaxed, chill game night. It also makes Undergrove a good choice for casual players or those new to board gaming, as it allows them to focus on their own strategies without being overwhelmed by constant competition.

A Gateway Game with Room for Growth

Undergrove positions itself as a strong gateway game, thanks to its simple rules and intuitive gameplay. It’s easy to teach, and the path to victory is fairly straightforward, making it an excellent choice for introducing new players to the hobby. The game is also beautifully designed, which helps to keep even less competitive players engaged.

That said, Undergrove could benefit from more variety in its mechanics. The limited number of mushroom tiles and powers can start to feel repetitive after a few games, which may impact its long-term replayability. An expansion that introduces new mushrooms, powers, or game mechanics could add much-needed diversity and strategic depth to keep players coming back.

Resource Management and the Carbon Track

One of the more interesting aspects of Undergrove is its resource management system. Players must carefully balance their use of resources, trading with fungi to gain what they need while also planning ahead for future turns. The game’s carbon track adds an extra layer of tension, as players must decide whether to continue building their network or rush to end the game before their opponents can catch up.

This aspect of the game introduces a sense of urgency and forces players to make tough choices. The scarcity of resources and the need to optimize every action create a tight, engaging economy that keeps players thinking several moves ahead.

Thematic Depth Inspired by Nature

Undergrove stands out for its strong thematic connection to nature. Inspired by real-world ecological systems, the game brings the hidden world of fungi and trees to life in a way that feels both educational and entertaining. The idea of trees and fungi working together in symbiosis adds a layer of scientific intrigue to the game, making it a unique experience for players who appreciate nature-themed games.

The theme is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics, with players trading resources and growing their seedlings in a way that mirrors the natural processes at play in real forests. This thematic depth helps to elevate Undergrove above other games in the area control genre, giving it a distinct identity.

Comparisons to Wingspan and Other Games

It’s hard to talk about Undergrove without mentioning its similarities to Wingspan. Both games share a similar approach to engine building and resource management, and both feature stunning artwork and nature-inspired themes. However, Undergrove sets itself apart with its focus on area control and its central forest tableau, which forces players to pay close attention to their opponents’ moves.

While Undergrove may not offer the same level of complexity or variety as Wingspan, it provides a fresh take on similar mechanics and adds a layer of spatial strategy that fans of area control games will appreciate. For players who enjoy Wingspan but are looking for something a bit different, Undergrove is a solid addition to their collection.

Verdict

Undergrove is a visually stunning and thematically rich game that offers a refreshing take on area control and resource management. Its accessible rules and intuitive gameplay make it a great gateway game, while its strategic depth and tight economy keep players engaged. The lower level of player interaction may not appeal to everyone, and the lack of variety in mushroom tiles could limit its long-term replayability, but an expansion could easily address these issues.

If you’re a fan of nature-themed games like Wingspan or enjoy light-to-medium strategy games with a focus on resource management, Undergrove is worth adding to your collection. Its beautiful artwork, solid mechanics, and unique theme make it a memorable experience, even if it leaves you wanting a little more in terms of variety.

– David

Scratches: 7.0/10.0