PARKS: Board Game Review

PARKS is a resource management board game stylized after a group of hikers attempting to experience the most that nature has to offer over the span of a year (4 seasons or 4 rounds). Each season, players line up their hikers on the starting tile, taking turns moving down the trail, which grows a tile longer each season. Players perform the action specified on each tile of the trail, actions include collecting a certain resource, trading a resource for another, trading in resources for item/photo cards, etc. Players can gain points by trading in their resources to “visit parks” at the end of every season, parks that provide more points cost more resources, and the person with the most points at the end of the year wins. PARKS, in addition to that general gameplay loop, provides many other factors that enrich gameplay and provide variety to sessions. The biggest draw that PARKS provides is its beautiful illustrations. Each card, container, and token is hand-drawn by a different artist, in a various unique style. Over 35 separate illustrators worked on PARKS to give it an alluring, artful feel. Park cards each showcase a defining feature of that specific national park, as well as its date of establishment, and an interesting fact about it. PARKS is also very beginner-friendly, only consisting of a 12 page rulebook (most of which is going over basic board game rules). In fact, my family, who had only really played something as complex as Monopoly, got the hang of it by the first round. Games are on the shorter end of the tabletop spectrum lasting about 45 minutes to an hour (depending on your group’s size and experience). This short play time is definitely a plus for beginners, as well as those who don’t have much time for serious sessions, however those used to games such as Gloomhaven or Twilight Imperium may find PARKS a bit too casual for their liking. Overall PARKS is a very interesting casual board game with beautiful illustrations. For those who enjoy a quick and easy session, PARKS is a great option. And with a $50 dollar price point and a short ruleset, it is extremely accessible to beginners. More seasoned gamers may find PARKS a bit simple, but still enjoyable nonetheless. PARKS is definitely worth picking up if one is into resource management tabletops.