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PARKS box image

PARKS

PARKS is a strategic board game where players take on the role of hikers exploring national parks, collecting resources, and taking photos of scenic vistas. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

7.66 / 10
BGG Rating
10+
age
2019
published year
1 - 5
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
30 - 60 mins
play time

How Complex is PARKS?

2.12 / 5

PARKS is easy to learn and play, with straightforward rules and actions. However, strategic decisions and resource management can make the game challenging and engaging.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of PARKS?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in PARKS as players draw random resource cards and encounter unexpected events, but strategic decisions and planning have a greater impact on the outcome of the game.

How much Player Interaction does PARKS offer?

3.5 / 5

PARKS has limited direct player interaction, but players can block each other from accessing certain trails or resources. The game also encourages players to appreciate each other's photos and achievements.

How much Replayability does PARKS offer?

4 / 5

PARKS offers high replayability due to the variety of national parks, unique resource cards, and different strategies players can employ to earn points. Expansion packs also add to the game's replay value.

Why you should play PARKS

Beautiful artwork

The artwork in PARKS is absolutely stunning, featuring illustrations of national parks from around the United States. The game board and cards are all beautifully designed, making it a pleasure to play.

Easy to learn

PARKS is a relatively simple game to learn, with straightforward rules and mechanics. It's a great game for both experienced gamers and those new to the hobby.

Strategic gameplay

Despite its simplicity, PARKS offers a lot of strategic depth. Players must manage their resources carefully and make strategic decisions about which parks to visit and which actions to take.

Educational

PARKS is a great way to learn about the national parks of the United States. Each park is represented on a card, with information about its location, history, and unique features.

Cooperative gameplay

PARKS is a cooperative game, meaning that players work together to achieve a common goal. This makes it a great game for families and groups of friends who want to work together and have fun.

Why you should avoid PARKS

Limited replayability

While PARKS is a fun game to play, it may not have as much replayability as some other games. Once you've played through all the park cards, the game may start to feel repetitive.

Lack of player interaction

PARKS is a relatively solitary game, with players mostly focused on their own individual goals. If you're looking for a game with a lot of player interaction and negotiation, PARKS may not be the best choice.

Theme may not appeal to everyone

While the national park theme is a big draw for many players, it may not be as appealing to others. If you're not interested in learning about national parks or don't find the theme particularly engaging, PARKS may not be the game for you.

Where to find the Rules of PARKS

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the PARKS files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for PARKS

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of PARKS.

Plan ahead

PARKS is a game where you need to plan your moves ahead of time. Look at the trail cards and the resources you have available to you, and try to plan out which trail cards you want to go for and how you can get the resources you need to complete them.

Focus on resource gathering

Resources are essential in PARKS, so make sure you're gathering them as efficiently as possible. Try to visit as many resource spaces as you can, and use your gear cards to help you gather more resources.

Prioritize your actions

Each turn, you'll have a limited number of actions to take. Make sure you're using them wisely by prioritizing the actions that will help you the most. For example, if you need to gather resources, use your first action to move to a resource space and your second action to gather resources.

Use your gear cards strategically

Gear cards can be incredibly helpful in PARKS, but they're also limited. Make sure you're using them strategically to help you complete trail cards or gather resources more efficiently.

Don't forget about the seasons

Each season in PARKS has its own unique challenges and opportunities. Make sure you're taking advantage of the special abilities and bonuses that come with each season, and plan your moves accordingly.

Keep an eye on the end game

PARKS is a game where you need to plan for the end game from the beginning. Make sure you're keeping an eye on the end game goals and working towards them throughout the game.

Advanced Strategies for PARKS

Focus on completing sets

Completing sets of trail cards can be a great way to score points in PARKS. Try to focus on completing sets of cards that have similar themes or requirements, as this will help you score more points.

Use your park cards wisely

Park cards can be incredibly powerful in PARKS, but they're also limited. Make sure you're using them wisely to help you complete trail cards or score points.

Keep an eye on your opponents

In PARKS, your opponents can often block you from completing trail cards or gathering resources. Make sure you're keeping an eye on what your opponents are doing and try to anticipate their moves.

Take risks

As you become more familiar with PARKS, you may want to start taking more risks. For example, you might try to complete a more difficult trail card that requires a lot of resources, or you might take a chance on a park card that has a high risk/reward ratio.

Don't forget about the end game

As with any game, it's important to keep an eye on the end game goals in PARKS. Make sure you're working towards these goals throughout the game, and try to position yourself to score as many points as possible in the final rounds.

Experiment with different strategies

PARKS is a game with many different paths to victory. As you become more familiar with the game, try experimenting with different strategies to see what works best for you. For example, you might focus on completing as many trail cards as possible, or you might try to score points through park cards and end game goals.

Mechanics

Modular Board
Worker Placement
Turn Order: Time Track
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Claim Action
Events
End Game Bonuses
Variable Set-up
Contracts
Track Movement

Categories

Economic
Environmental
Animals
Travel