Agricola

It’s Not Easy Going Green

“Farming” seems like such a simple little word. I mean, it just rolls off the tongue as if the crops just grew themselves. But when you have to consider how to best use family members to grow wheat, raise animals, and get food to keep your growing family from starving, you suddenly have a better appreciation for the strategy involved in quasi-medieval micro-agriculture.

There’s a reason that Agricola is legendary. It’s a brilliant worker-placement game with enough depth to keep the most hardcore gamers satisfied, but it’s also cute and engaging enough to help non-gamers enjoy the experience. The variety of choices available increases every round, and un-chosen spaces become more and more lucrative. And yet, you’re performing actions that are literally down-to-earth and relatable—plowing fields, planting crops, bulding fences, and raising livestock.  What’s not to like?

The Breakdown

  • Decisions: 5/5. Agricola has it all. Every choice is weighty and important, and the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. But the choices are also fun—would I rather plant a vegetable or welcome a couple of wild boar into my pastures?
  • Artwork: 5/5. Not only is the graphic design clean and effective, the artwork in this game is charming and full of little touches that surprise and delight, Have you ever noticed that some of the wooden hut rooms have a bear rug in them? It’s the little things in life you enjoy.
  • Replayability: 5/5. Not only do the actions each turn get shuffled, you also get 14 unique cards each game that affect your strategy in insanely fun and unpredictable ways. I’ve never played the same game twice!
  • Awesomeness: 5/5. This game never ceases to amaze me. It’s rich, varied, and complex, while also retaining a “light” gaming feel. I mean, I’m not taking over the world; I’m farming. And I love it!

TOTAL SCORE: 20/20 

Bottom line: Agricola is of the few games in my collection with a perfect score. And for good reason—it’s incredible. Do yourself a favor and get this game, and when you do, eat a sheep or two for me.

Agricola
  • Decisions 100% 100%
  • Artwork 100% 100%
  • Replayability 100% 100%
  • Awesomeness 100% 100%