Stonemaier Games Viticulture Essential Edition Board Game, for 156 months to 9600 months

I am absolutely in love with this game. The box came nice and undamaged. Components are complete and I LOVE the smell!

GREAT AND GREAT

Love it. Became one of my favorite games on my first playthough.

My second favorite game (favorite is scythe)!

This became a family favorite immediately. Very fun but also laid back, easy to learn, and allows strategizing for those interested.

When Viticulture first came out several years ago, I almost bought a copy for my oldest son (a casual gamer) who has worked at vineyards. Almost. I had read and watched reviews that pointed out flaws in the game. One caveat sticks in my head all this time later: a warning that certain cards were powerful enough to tilt the game in one players favor with little chance after that of other players gaining enough ground to compete for the win. I never bought the game and, even when it comes out in my gaming circles, I had never sat at a table and played it. If there were concerns before, I cant see anything to be concerned about in the Essential edition of the game. As I understand it, this edition combines some subtle-but-effective changes in the wordings of some cards (forcing players to choose between two possible advantages instead of allowing both) and some of the best features of the games Tuscany expansion. Whatever the designers have done, it works. If you sit down with casual gamers, they may - at first - be a bit overwhelmed by the busy board; but, the game is not as complex as it may - at first - seem. This aint no simple walk in the park; but, youre only dealing with half the board (at most) at any given time. The game is played as a series of seasons for as many years as it takes someone to earn la mere 20 victory points. In spring, perform upkeep (from the previous year) and determine player order for this year; in summer, buy and plant vines or buildings or give tours or play experts for advantages; in fall, draw expert cards to be used in summer or winter; in winter produce or sell wine or play winter visitors for certain advantages. Then, its spring and the cycle begins again. Most victory points are made by selling finished wines based upon cards that youve drawn indicating what folks are buying and being able to grow and harvest the right kinds of grapes to produce the right kinds of wines which the market will buy. The wrench in the works is that there are only so many opportunities to perform each action during summer and winter. Be strategic in vying for player position in the spring. Becoming first player is it own reward; youll be able to grab up the prime action spots. But, allowing yourself a third or fourth place player position may come with an extra resource or an extra visitor card at no expense. This is another one of these games (like Iellos Happy Pigs) where there are limited action options; so, there shouldnt be too much to think about. But, be aware, that if youre sitting down with anyone who has never played the game before, there will be some analysis paralysis in a first game in which the decision between those few choices may - at first - seem overwhelming.

Finally arrived...whew

My husband and I have really enjoyed learning this game. By the third play time, we had the rules down and started seeing so many different ways to play. The automa version of the game is challenging, but I happy to have the option when no one else can play.

Viticulture: EE is easily in my top 10 favorite tabletop games of all time.

A very fun game with simple rules. Can be played with even just 2 players. I will recommend it from a board gamers perspective.