It’s only a quarter of the way through 2026, and it has already been a roller coaster year when it comes to new games arriving on The Meeple Guild’s table.
A few titles have already made such a strong impression that they are almost certain to be part of the discussion when we compile our personal Top Five Games of the Year. On the other hand, there have also been games that arrived with high expectations, only to disappoint once we sat down to play them.
Forest Floor from Flux Fish Games (www.fluxfish.com) falls into one of those two categories. Read on to find out which.
“Forest Floor is a strategic card game that thrives on a shared deck, creating an element of tactical depth as players carefully manage resources and anticipate their opponents’ moves. The ability to influence the order of draws by putting cards back on top of the deck adds a layer of complexity, rewarding players who can predict and manipulate the game’s flow. At the heart of the game lies the ‘Mulching’ mechanic, allowing players to interact with their opponents’ cards before their effects resolve. This dynamic interaction encourages both cooperation and competition, as players work together to prevent any single player from gaining an overwhelming advantage.”
So says the publisher.
Right out of the shrink wrap, Forest Floor, designed by Sam Ellison, makes a strong first impression. It comes in a compact box and supports two to five players, giving it excellent versatility. The rulebook is straightforward, and each player receives a handy reference card that outlines turn options and key terminology.
The game revolves around building a garden, with plants taking center stage through the attractive artwork of Vitalii Korolov.
Everything seems lined up for a winning experience.
Unfortunately, Forest Floor is a game where players must be comfortable with opponents repeatedly uprooting their carefully cultivated gardens just as they approach victory.
Driven heavily by card play, many cards are designed specifically to disrupt opponents’ plans by sending plants from their gardens to the discard pile. While this type of mechanic is far from unusual, Forest Floor leans on it so heavily that it becomes frustrating. Then it becomes annoying. Eventually, it turns into a repetitive cycle where players are simply waiting for someone to finally achieve a winning garden before the rest of the table tramples over their progress once again.
Games featuring “take that” mechanics often walk a fine line between being fun and being spiteful. Cross that line, and many players quickly lose interest.
Our group is not opposed to player interaction or direct conflict. In fact, we often enjoy it. However, there is a point where constant disruption begins to sap the fun from the experience, and sadly, that is where Forest Floor landed for The Meeple Guild.
There are many good ideas at work here, along with solid production values and appealing artwork. Unfortunately, the gameplay itself never delivered the enjoyment we were hoping for.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Forest Floor held so much potential… but
A few titles have already made such a strong impression that they are almost certain to be part of the discussion when we compile our personal Top Five Games of the Year. On the other hand, there have also been games that arrived with high expectations, only to disappoint once we sat down to play them.
Forest Floor from Flux Fish Games (www.fluxfish.com) falls into one of those two categories. Read on to find out which.
So says the publisher.
Right out of the shrink wrap, Forest Floor, designed by Sam Ellison, makes a strong first impression. It comes in a compact box and supports two to five players, giving it excellent versatility. The rulebook is straightforward, and each player receives a handy reference card that outlines turn options and key terminology.
The game revolves around building a garden, with plants taking center stage through the attractive artwork of Vitalii Korolov.
Everything seems lined up for a winning experience.
Unfortunately, Forest Floor is a game where players must be comfortable with opponents repeatedly uprooting their carefully cultivated gardens just as they approach victory.
Driven heavily by card play, many cards are designed specifically to disrupt opponents’ plans by sending plants from their gardens to the discard pile. While this type of mechanic is far from unusual, Forest Floor leans on it so heavily that it becomes frustrating. Then it becomes annoying. Eventually, it turns into a repetitive cycle where players are simply waiting for someone to finally achieve a winning garden before the rest of the table tramples over their progress once again.
Games featuring “take that” mechanics often walk a fine line between being fun and being spiteful. Cross that line, and many players quickly lose interest.
Our group is not opposed to player interaction or direct conflict. In fact, we often enjoy it. However, there is a point where constant disruption begins to sap the fun from the experience, and sadly, that is where Forest Floor landed for The Meeple Guild.
There are many good ideas at work here, along with solid production values and appealing artwork. Unfortunately, the gameplay itself never delivered the enjoyment we were hoping for.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
See author's posts