Unwind With 4 Zen Tabletop Games On TTS
Tabletop Talks Week 11
Hello tabletoppers! The world can sometimes be a little stressful. Maybe you're a little on edge from the tail end of the pandemic or feeling high strung from a return to in-person work. When times get stressful like this, we recommend taking a break, catching your breath, and sitting down to play a few board games in order to Just. Chill. Out. So, to help with this, Tabletop Talks will be bringing you four great games to help you chill out and take your mind off of the busy world, at least for a moment! So, sit back, relax, throw on some laid back music, and enjoy Tabletop Talks: Zen.
1. Koi Garden
A harmonious gardening card game
If you are looking for a game that is aesthetically pleasing, strategically involved, and, most importantly, can help you chill out, then we wholeheartedly recommend Koi Garden from B & B Game Studios! This 2-4 player tile-laying game lets players build a garden with a simple and soothing goal: attract wildlife. Using a combination of tile movement and laying mechanics, Koi Garden utilizes easy-to-learn rules to create a surprisingly deep strategic experience that is guaranteed to provide a little fun and a little zen to your next game night.
Koi Garden was dreamt up during the height of the pandemic, when gardening was the perfect release from the stress of the times. The team at B & B Games realized that we all needed to unplug, take a break, and play games that heal the mind. So, they set out to create a game that cultivates inner peace...and they succeeded! With Koi Garden’s meticulous theming and absolutely beautiful artwork, this game is the perfect opportunity to get out into your imaginary garden. Just play one round, and we can guarantee that you will be hearing birds chirping and fish swimming in no time!
Koi Garden has used Tabletop Simulator over the past year to conduct playtesting and tweak this wonderful creation to perfection! This game just completed a successful Kickstarter!
How To Play: Rulebook
Kickstarter: Successful May 2021 Kickstarter
Tabletop Simulator Mod: Play Koi Garden Now On TTS!
2. Winter
A game of falling ice and snow
Even though it’s almost Summer, we love Winter from Brote de Juegos so much that we’re going to talk about it anyway! This card game is based on the turning of the seasons themselves and uses card-flipping and placement mechanics to create a tranquil story of snow on an icy lake. Gameplay in Winter is divided into two phases, one where each player must compete to freeze as much of the lake surface as possible, and a second where they must compete to withstand the thaw with that most ice intact. These goals are accomplished with a mix of card and token-based mechanics that are easy-to-learn, fun to replay, and strategically rewarding. The result is a deep card game that offers a beautiful table presence while also providing plenty of unexpected twists and “aha!” moments! Through both the aesthetics and unique, strategic card play, it is no wonder that Winter is a 2021 Cardboard Edison Award finalist!
The inspiration for Winter came from another season. In 2015, Brote de Juegos released the lightweight card game, Autumn to much success. The team took the basic concept and gave it an icy twist to create a brilliantly themed abstract, card game experience. And, with Winter’s effective and minimalist art style, nothing is stopping you from getting lost in the calm beauty of a frozen lake on a mid-winte’s day!
The team behind Winter has used Tabletop Simulator to get their game to as wide an audience as possible. This has helped publicize their tranquil card-laying masterpiece! You can play Winter on TTS and also check out their website to download Winter for free! And don't forget to check out their other seasonal creations, Spring, Summer, and Autumn!
How To Play: Winter English Instructions
Official Website: ellapizdemaria.com
Tabletop Simulator Mod: Play Winter Now On TTS!
3. KAWA
A game about flow
If we asked you to picture the most peaceful, chilled-out tabletop game theme, flower petals gently flowing down a stream of pristine water is probably at the top of the list! This is KAWA: A game about flow. In this supremely peaceful creation from the Aerie Games, players are tasked with guiding petals as they drift in the current, scoring points along the way. Using a combination of different tile-laying mechanics, each player must avoid other petals and master each game’s flow. And, with special effect tiles and a constantly shifting game board, each round of KAWA is guaranteed to be unique and memorable. Perhaps the best part of this game is the board‘s ever-changing nature. Each game spreads beautifully illustrated flora and fauna across your river, making each game a work of art.
KAWA is a game about flow but it is also a game about slowing down, chilling out, and enjoying a low-key game night. And, with its quick setup, easy-to-learn mechanics, and surprisingly deep strategy, KAWA succeeds at doing just that! We guarantee that pairing KAWA with a little chill music and a nice cup of warm tea will result in one of the most zen-ful game nights you have ever had!
The team at the Aerie games partnered with TTS modder Liyarin to create a beautifully scripted mod that highlights KAWA’s wonderful chilled-out mechanics while also being exceptionally user-friendly. You can also check out their website for more info on how to buy the game and all things KAWA!
How To Play: Learn The Game
Official Website: theaeriegames.com
Tabletop Simulator Mod: Play KAWA: A Game About Flow Now On TTS!
4. Canvas: Reflections
A beautiful expansion to the instant painting classic
Painting can be a hobby, a relaxing activity, and even a tabletop game theme. So, in our journey to find the most relaxing up-and-coming board games out there, we're taking you back to Canvas! Profiled on one of our first-ever Tabletop Talks, Road To Infamy Games’ beautiful card lying game captured our imaginations with its intricate design, inventive mechanics, and overall serene feel. Now, after the success of the base game, they are in the process of releasing their first expansion, Canvas: Reflections. This expansion builds on the card laying mechanics of the original by introducing reversible transparent cards that bring even more choice and depth to the base game. And with new layers, art pieces, and card laying advantages, players can make brand new masterpieces and compete for the spot of top artist like never before!
Since its release, Canvas has always been the perfect board game for those looking for a peaceful and creative tabletop experience with enough of a competitive edge to keep things interesting. Now, with these new expansions, there is even more depth and strategy to consider and more beautiful card combinations to create. If you didn’t want to frame your creations from the base game, the Reflections expansion may just change your mind!
The team at Road to Infamy games has continued to use Tabletop Simulator for playtesting and prototyping even as pandemic restrictions have begun to lift. Now, they have created a beautiful addition to their instant classic and, with the help of Pieter Schutz, a TTS mod to match! Be sure to also check out their website for more information or to late pledge!
How To Play: Canvas Tutorial
Official Website: roadtoinfamy.com
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