Pattern Building

  • Review: Frosted Blooms

    ByiMisut Hours
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    The crisp Dutch air still carries the chill of winter, occasionally blanketing the awakening polder fields with a delicate morning frost. Yet beneath this fleeting shimmer, the first determined tulips push their way toward the sky, showing vibrant colors that promise a radiant spring. As ambitious gardeners, you will compete to cultivate the most admired tulip display. Carefully select plots of land and strategically place iconic windmills and barns, all while assigning diligent workers to create a harmonious and valuable landscape. Will your garden, caressed by the cool dawn, bloom into the most celebrated masterpiece of the season?

    This is how we are introduced to Frosted Blooms, designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc (Cyclades, Mr. Jack). First published in 2026 by Synapses Games in an English and French edition. The artwork is handled by Simon-Pierre Bernard, marking his debut in the board game industry.

  • Review: Feya’s Swamp

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    Three years have passed since the expedition returned from the west with the discovery of Feya’s Swamp, our new home. We have established our first settlements, and peace prevails among the four clans. The swamp, brimming with life and mana, offers us a promising future, and the ancient temples that encircle it beckon us to venture into the unknown in search of ancestral treasures. We live in a time of opportunity where each clan can forge its own destiny, striving to thrive as best it can. Each guide among the four clans is doing remarkable work fostering our growth in harmony with the others, and soon we will leave behind the dark times of our past. Even in times of peace, we want our clan to be the one that adapts best and prospers most effectively in our new home; after all, no one can strip us of our pride…

    This is the premise behind Feya’s Swamp, designed by Helge Ostertag (Terra Mystica) and Anselm Ostertag (Wulong). First published in 2025 by Fractal Juegos in an English and Spanish edition, it is a reimagining of Kaivai. The illustrations are handled by Mihajlo Dimitrievski, responsible for the look of titles such as Claim and the West Kingdom trilogy.

  • Review: Qomet

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    Create a square of any size connected by lines. Each player starts with 7 stars. On your turn, you can place a new star of your color on the board or move a star of your color that you have previously placed. If you move, you advance to the next space connected by a line. If this space is empty, nothing else happens. If this space is occupied, push the star regardless of its color. You cannot push more than one star. You can push stars off the board.

    That is how straightforwardly Qomet is presented to us, a design by Fabrice Puleo (Linx, Bomb5). First published in 2025 by Gigamic in a multilingual edition as part of their abstract games series.

  • Review: Trailblazers

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    Trailblazers are those brave souls who blaze trails and venture into the wilderness. Whether on foot, by bike, or in a kayak, these tenacious travelers seek to quench their insatiable thirst for adventure. With a breathtaking natural landscape always ahead and a freshly blazed trail hot on their heels, they must not forget to return to camp. Because there are always new environments to explore, more expeditions to undertake, and more trails to blaze.

    This is how Trailblazers is presented to us, a design by Ryan Courtney (Pipeline, Curious Cargo). First published in 2023 by Bitewing Games in two English editions: a standard version and a travel version. The artwork is done by Seth Lucas, marking his first experience in the board game world.

  • Review: Theocratia

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    Sometimes, eternity can feel endless. So, to cope with the boredom, you and your friends make a little bet: you give yourselves a couple of thousand years to interfere in the lives of the inhabitants of a distant planet. Once time runs out, the alien who has earned the most affection and admiration wins the bet.

    This is how Theocratia is presented to us, a design by Daniele Tascini (Transgalactica) and Daniel Marinangeli (his first game). First published in 2026 by Mojito Studios in an English version following a crowdfunding campaign. The illustrations are handled by Andrew Bosley (Everdell, Tapestry).

  • Review: Kamon

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    Develop your strategy while respecting the restrictions of the Kamons! To win, connect two opposite edges of the board, create a loop, or block your opponent while respecting the color or symbol imposed by them.

    This is how we are presented with Kamon, a design by Bruno Cathala (Five Tribes, Donuts). First published in 2007 by Jactaba in a French version. In 2020, it was re-released by Cosmoludo in a multilingual edition. Tom Delahaye (Yoxii, Mana) is in charge of the graphic design.