In Builders of Sylvan Dale, you step into the role of an ambitious architect helping to shape a new era for a forested kingdom slowly rising from the ashes. As nature recovers from devastating disasters, players will encounter magic and face various strategic choices. The result is a cleverly designed family game where insight, tactics, and… a touch of sabotage can determine the winner.
Rating
| Overall | 8 |
| Story | 8 |
| Game system | 9 |
| Replayability | 9 |
| Disign & Art | 7 |
Story: The Beginning of a New Era in Sylvan Dale
Welcome to the forest realm of Sylvan Dale, a land struck by several disasters in quick succession. The misfortune began with a devastating flood that destroyed bridges, gardens, and homes.
This deluge awakened the cave trolls. These fierce creatures tore their way through the forest, destroying everything in their path. Their rampage caused a nearby boar herd to panic. In their blind fear, the boars charged through the woods, demolishing the remaining walls and what little was left of the residents’ beloved home.
When peace finally returned and the forest folk assessed the damage, the elders decided that Sylvan Dale would not be rebuilt as it once was. This time, they would rebuild above the ground—high among the safe and sturdy branches of the great trees.
Thus begins a new Sylvan Dale: a fresh start for a future of peace and prosperity.
However… the architects entrusted with this great task seem more focused on their own glory, and are not above causing a little chaos in the work of their fellow builders.
Gamerules
The rules of the game are straightforward and not too complex. They are clearly explained with illustrations and examples in the rulebook. The objective of the game is for players to earn the most victory points and become the most prestigious architect of Sylvan Dale.
The game is played over two rounds. After the first round, victory points are already awarded for the first time.
Each turn is played in 3 (or optionally 4) phases:
• Play a card from your hand: Choose a card from your hand and place it face up. Each card shows a creature, an architectural style (which corresponds to that creature), and a special item. There are four different creatures in the forest, each with its own architectural style.
• Place a tile on a tree: Choose a tree on the board that matches the architectural style of the card you played. Place the top tile from your personal supply of tree tiles onto that tree.
If your placement causes a tree to now contain three tiles of the same architectural style, you gain Prestige at that moment and may place a banner. This banner immediately awards you 5 victory points.
• Draw a new card: Refill your hand back up to 3 cards.
• (Optional) Use special items: By playing cards, you can collect special items. When you have discarded three cards showing the same symbol — a bridge, a hammer, an axe, or a treetop — you may take the corresponding item from the supply.
-The hammer allows you to move one of your own tiles from one tree to another.
-The axe allows you to destroy one of your opponent’s tiles and remove it from the game.
-The bridge lets you connect two trees and gain victory points.
-The treetop allows you to complete and “close off” a tree.
Even if you have collected multiple special items, you may only use one item at the end of each turn.
Contents and design
The illustrations on the game components are very enchanting and immediately draw you into the atmosphere of the magical forest — a forest where the builders can carry out their work. The production is highly detailed and visually appealing. The different components are easy to assemble and disassemble, and they stand firmly on the game board. The inclusion of a well-designed and sturdy insert for the box is definitely an added bonus.
Box Contents
• 1x game board (double-sided, depending on the number of players)
• 1x rulebook (11 pages)
• 80x splaying cards
• 20x tree base pieces (2-piece bases)
• 64x tree parts (16 of each color)
• 64x banners (16 of each color))
• 6x hammer tokens
• 6x axe tokens
• 12x bridges
• 9x tree crowns
• 50x 1-point tokens
• 28x 5-point tokens
• 20x 20-point tokens
• 1x box insert (5 pieces)
Conclusion
It is a smoothly playable family game in which you can briefly retreat into the world of the forest. It requires insight and forces you to make choices. After playing a few times, you can already start preparing which strategy you want to use. You’ll be dreaming of victory.
Meer info: https://ks.aresgames.eu/product/builders-ofsylvan-dale
Text en photografy: Esmeralda Wolf
