I love boardgames and I love tropical islands-what if I could somehow combine them into one fun gaming experience? The wave of the trees, the coconuts and the smell of the ocean breeze-it’s time to make like a tree and play! In the game Palm Trees we have a chance to see first-hand what that would look like!
Palm Trees is a new game designed by Andrew J Smith with graphic design by Leslie Cheung. It plays 2-6 players in 15 minutes. Game components include:
78 Cards
6 Trunk tattoo sleeves
1 Rulebook
Overview and Gameplay:
In this game you will be using your own actual hand to grow a tree! All of the individual cards have specific rules making for some fun and silly ways you to have to hold them. Some are more challenging than others and ultimately you want to be the best tree left standing to win!
There are 42 frond and 36 coconut cards. To play you will need to shuffle each group separately and remove a set number of cards based on the player count. The stack of cards is coconuts on the bottom with the frond card deck on top to make the draw deck. Two cards are placed next to the draw deck as well.
To begin you pick one arm to be your “palm tree”. This arm may not lift from the table the entire of the game keeping constant contact the the elbow the whole game. You may wear the trunk-print sleeve on that arm as well included in the box.
On your turn you will select one of the three cards and give it to one of your opponents. They must successfully add it to their palm tree hand. That person must be able to place it based on the limitations on the card. Once a card is placed in your hand the only way to adjust it is with that same hand. If you change the cards in your hand enough to break one of the restriction rules you have “dropped” a card. You then choose a card for an opponent to do the same. When picking a player you must stay even growth in the game, no one player can have more than 2 cards more than any other player.
Once all cards have been played to players’ tree, or a player drops a card from their tree or can’t place a card the game ends. If the game ends because all the cards are gone, all players score points. If the game ends from a drop or inability to play a card, that player scores zero points and all other players score points. Most points wins! There are also a few variations of the game included in the rulebook.
Things that could be better:
Artwork. The artwork is ok but definitely could be better. I understand the material is pretty minimal at best but I would have liked to see a little more detail or even background colors.
Variety. I would like to see a little more variation on the cards going into your hand besides the frond and coconuts. Maybe even a bird or other additions that would add some fun twists to the game.
Things we like:
Creativity. I love the idea here and the unique nature of the game. The dexterity challenge of it is fun, its light and simple but still presents a challenge.
Theme. The theme is spot-on. It’s a palm tree that is literally your palm. Kids gravitated towards this game quickly-it’s fun and easy to pick up and learn.
Level playing ground. Adult or child, you are all about level in this game. Kids are a little more dexterous and adults think through the moves a little bit more to really balance this one out in my eyes.
Fun. This game is just silly, simple fun. It’s not hard to learn but it is a challenge to play. It lead to multiple groups of people having a good amount of laughs around the table playing and watching it happen. Definitely one for those who enjoy a good time around the game table.
Overall:
Palm Trees bring a unique style of dexterity game to the market that I have not seen before. Using cards and your literal “palm” of a tree, players are challenged into silly placements and ideas of how to balance multiple cards in your hand.
If you are looking for a light, easy to learn game to play with anyone who enjoys a good dexterity game that is heavy on fun, Palm Trees should be on your list to check out. Every time we have played it was definitely a great time and many laughs were had at the table by players of all ages. This unique “hand management” game will keep everyone at the table having a great time!
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