In the abstract strategy game Evergreen: The Board Game, players get to test their green thumbs — albeit without getting their hands soiled. As the official adaptation of the multi-awarded board game, it features the same goal as the original. Whether you play solo or against other players, you must grow a lush ecosystem to the point of making your planet the greenest and most fertile it could ever be.

With gameplay that involves greening, Evergreen: The Board Game is akin to Terra Nil. While the former is limited to tree growing and forest expansion, the latter includes city-building elements.

What is it about?

Designed by the board game’s original creator, Horrible Guild, along with Animuz Studio, the 2D Evergreen video game adaptation remains a test of planning and decision-making skills. The goal, like in the original game, is to create a lush and diverse ecosystem until your planet becomes verdant green with healthy forests and other natural formations. This involves making the most of the actions each round.

The game follows network planning gameplay used in many abstract strategy games. In every round, you must pick a Biome card from a common pool to determine the area you’re going to develop on the planet. You need to sow seeds, grow trees, expand forests, and even allow nature to shape your area. Besides, you need to cultivate them in the most fertile and sunny part.

The challenge lies in ensuring that your trees grow close together without overshadowing each other. In short, you must plant them in strategic positions to earn bigger points and hit the 20 achievements. As noted, the game features a single-player mode against AI opponents, alongside online PvP and cross-platform multiplayer modes. Expansions are also available for purchase. A more comprehensive rulebook and tooltips would be nice, though.

Is it any good?

Evergreen: The Board Game is a casual yet highly engaging video game based on the critically acclaimed board game of the same name. As an abstract strategy game, it puts your planning and decision-making skills to the test in ensuring that your assigned biome grows healthy without the trees competing for sunlight and soil nutrients. It’s the perfect pastime for nature lovers who dream of a greener world.