Viticulture: Essential Edition

There are many well regarded worker placement games. There are also many well regarded games from Stonemaier Games. Viticulture is without a doubt my favorite of both categories. Viticulture: Essential Edition adds many elements from prior expansions that make this edition a must-have for any fan of worker placement games. While the expanded board from the Tuscany expansion is absent, Viticulture: Essential Edition is a game I would recommend highly and holds a firm place among my top 5 favorite games.

Really fun worker placement game that is made even better by Tuscany Essential Edition. The alternate board that expansion comes with really improves this game for the better. That said I would have no hesitation playing this base game at any time. I would knock this game just a bit for the potential luck factor within the cards and that may be a major turn-off for some. For me, it is sometimes a mild hindrance but I really don't think it is a big issue overall. If you like the game otherwise then there are a few other expansions that all you to add to or swap out the visitor cards completely to mitigate this.

This is a great worker-placement game that makes blocks feel softer than in many other titles. The visitor cards add interesting variety between plays and the mamas and the papas break turn-one symmetry (although some players may get a slight advantage as a result, I recommend serpent drafting these).

Fans of Viticulture will like the combined expansions making this a more complete experience. A solid engine-builder with worker placement elements, Viticulture is a fun playthrough. The same team went on to create Wingspan and this carries similar elements but is just different enough to warrant having both. Do yourself a favor and grab the Tuscay Essential expansion and an organizer for both. The organizer helps with the only real drawback to this game - setup. It takes a while to get it all on the table but it plays quickly enough to warrant the effort.

I played this game with my wife and we both loved it! We played it the next day with some of the kids (9-14) and they really enjoyed it as well. This will definitely get more play time off the shelf with us. The 3+ player dynamic is quite different from the 2-player dynamic, since playing with multiple opponents opens up a bonus space to allow you to gain more from a turn.

This has been a hit so far, easily scalable from 2 - 6 players, and fun so far. It seemed like a lot to take in at first, I struggled to grasp rules until I had the game in hand, and a few turns in, it all clicked and became clear. I feel like there is enough luck in set up and cards so you can blame bad luck for a loss, but enough control and strategy that you can credit your own skill when you win, which is the right balance for me.

Easily one of my favorite worker placement games. I was late to the party but I’m glad the essential edition is out now. My wife loves this one! The visitor cards are all so cool!

As many have said before, this game is probably the quintessential worker placement game. I always find myself burning over which choice to make and when while not reaching the point of analysis paralysis. Such a great game.

I will start by saying I usually love miniature games and other games with tons of theme. I was hesitant top play this at first because I thought it was just a fancy looking boring worker placement game. Boy was I wrong. I love this game! I have only played twice but had an amazing time both times, I am excited to discover the most optimal way to grow wine! My GF also loves it a LOT and she usually doesn't love games.

I will start by saying I usually love miniature games and other games with tons of theme. I was hesitant top play this at first because I thought it was just a fancy looking boring worker placement game. Boy was I wrong. I love this game! I have only played twice but had an amazing time both times, I am excited to discover the most optimal way to grow wine! My GF also loves it a LOT and she usually doesn't love games.