The Ultimate Collection of Games Similar to Wingspan That Will Take Your Breath Away

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Without a doubt, Wingspan is one of the most outstanding board games to emerge in recent times. It has launched the career of a phenomenal designer, earned enough recognition to warrant numerous expansions, and even made its way into the prestigious Las Vegas World Series of Board Games. With so much content to offer, players are still hungry for more. Whether you've played Wingspan and all its expansions extensively or simply desire a slight change of pace, there are numerous board games that resemble Wingspan to choose from.

Wingspan's allure stems from its diverse game mechanics, charmingly artistic theme, and its weighty feel. Each turn presents various choices for players to interact with the game's different mechanics, such as card collection, dice rolling, and resource gathering/management. These mechanics intertwine skillfully throughout the game. Additionally, the warm and inviting nature-themed artwork appeals to players of all ages and preferences, while still providing a deep and thought-provoking gaming experience. Expect to find one or more of these elements featured in the games listed below.

7 FlameCraft

Flamecraft

$43 $50 Save $7

Flamecraft is a captivating board game where players embody Flamekeepers, collaborating with skilled dragon artisans in a charming magical world. The objective is to enhance the town's shops by gathering items, placing dragons, and utilizing cards. This strategy game incorporates shared engine building, allowing players to compete and win the affections of the townsfolk. With its exquisite artwork featured on the board and cards, as well as the diverse range of dragons and artisan roles, Flamecraft is the perfect choice for countless game nights.

Type of Game: Engine builder/Strategy

Recommended Age: 10+

Game Duration: 1 hour

Brand: Cardboard Alchemy

Number of Players: 1-5

Designers: Manny Vega, Sandra Tang

Pros: Charming and stunning artwork

Allows for a variety of playstyles

Lots of cards offer multiple ways to win

Quick play time

ConsNot as challenging as Wingspan

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Available for $43 on Amazon, Flamecraft is an endearing game centered around dragon artisans. Originally funded through Kickstarter, it has rapidly gained popularity and become one of the hottest new releases in the gaming world. Similar to the acclaimed game Wingspan, Flamecraft heavily emphasizes resource management and strategic thinking for future turns. While the game boasts simplicity and quick gameplay once players are familiar with the rules, its accessible nature invites gamers of all skill levels to participate.

6 Cascadia

Flamecraft stands out among recent board games with its captivating visuals. Featuring 42 distinct artisan dragons and 34 variety-filled shops in the base game, each one brings its own unique charm to the table. From dragons skilled in the art of baking bread to those excelling in crafting exquisite jewelry, every encounter offers a delightful experience. With the potential for up to 5 players to partake in the excitement, each game offers a fresh and dynamic adventure. As an added bonus, you can already enjoy Flamecraft on Tabeltop simulator!

cascadia

This laid-back game uses a natural theme to deliver a simple and straightforward strategy game.

Type of Game StrategyAge Recommendation 10+Game Duration 30-45 minutesBrand AEG ProsNature theme is backed by real facts

Difficulty is largely determined by player skill

Very affordable

ConsNot as complex as other strategy games

Discover it on Amazon.

Fans of Wingspan who appreciated its lifelike portrayal of nature and informative zoological details will be captivated by Cascadia. The notable distinction lies in its exploration of an entirely fresh region, delving deeper into the intricate dynamics of the full ecosystem rather than solely focusing on avian species. While Cascadia remains a strategic game, its simplified gameplay mechanics envelop players in a comforting ambiance akin to that of Wingspan's immersive resource management experience.

5 Everdell

Introducing Everdell

Only $60.99, originally priced at $75, you can save $14.01. Everdell transports you to a charming world reminiscent of Redwall, where you embark on a thrilling journey of gathering resources. Create a harmonious village by skillfully uniting a captivating array of characters and buildings. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Everdell!

Age Recommendation 14+Game Duration 40-80 MinutesBrand Starling GamesNumber of Players 1-4Designer James A. Wilson ProsDelightful Cast of Animal Characters

Familiar Resource Acquisition

Turns Build Up in Complexity

Cute Meeples and Visuals

ConsSpacious Board

$60.99 at Amazon

If you're a fan of collecting different species of birds in Wingspan, you'll quickly find excitement in Everdell's diverse animal workers and locations. Through worker-placement mechanics, you can gather resources to construct buildings and attract residents to your woodland village. Similar to Wingspan's increasing complexity in the actions phase as you collect more birds, your workload will also grow as your tableau fills with cards. Moreover, collecting resources will become easier over time.

Everdell's aesthetic is undeniably charming, combining aspects of Redwall and Stardew Valley. This is evident in the adorable animal-shaped meeple workers and the towering tree, reminiscent of Winspan's food tray. Just like Wingspan, Everdell offers numerous expansions, providing plenty of new adventures to explore in the woodland world. However, this abundance can lead to a cluttered table. Nonetheless, the game is definitely worth a try, so prepare a clear space on your kitchen table or find a cozy spot on the floor and start gaming.

4 Parks

PARKS

Parks invites you to embark on an enjoyable and thrilling journey through the National Park system of the United States. With captivating illustrations inspired by the Fifty-Nine Parks Print Series, this game is a masterpiece of artistry.

Recommended for ages 10 and above, the game lasts between 40 and 70 minutes. Developed by Henry Audobon and published by Keymaster Games, it can be played by 1 to 5 players. One of the greatest highlights of this game is its breathtaking National Parks artwork.

Competitive Resource Acquisition

Immersive Theme

ConsLess "Heavy" (Suitable for younger players)

$49.99 at Amazon

When players first enter Parks, it feels as if they are stepping directly into one of America's national parks. The game's artwork draws inspiration from the renowned Fifty-Nine Parks Print Series, creating a strong connection to our national parks, similar to how Wingspan relates to various bird species. Players take turns traversing a trail to gather resources required to explore iconic parks. The gear you acquire can greatly impact the difficulty of different stages of your journey.

Where Parks distinguishes itself from Wingspan is the heightened competition for resources encountered along the way. In Wingspan, it is possible to feel that the available food or birds are simply coincidental — it isn't necessarily a matter of trying to prevent the leader from obtaining them. However, in Parks, each move must be carefully considered in light of your opponent's needs and desires. Despite this competitive element, the game will effectively transport you into the friendly atmosphere of a hike through the woods. The dynamic changing landscape, responsive weather, and bonfire system ensure that the elements of nature remain prominent throughout the experience.

3 Viticulture

Viticulture — Essential Edition

The cost of the game is $48.26, discounted from $81, allowing you to save $32.74. Viticulture is a strategic game where players utilize their network of workers, local experts, and vineyard construction to produce and sell wine. Fulfilling large orders for prestigious clients is the key to becoming the top vineyard and winning the game. Recommended for players aged 13 and above, the game typically lasts between 45 to 90 minutes. Created by Jamey Stegmaier and Alan Stone, it is a game by Stonemaier Games that features clearly defined sections.

Individualized Cards

Educational About Winemaking and Vineyards

From Same Publisher as Wingspan

ConsWinemaking Theme Not Appropriate For All

Get Viticulture, the board game that takes winemaking to a whole new level. From the creators of Wingspan, Stonemaier Games, Viticulture allows players to step into the shoes of budding wine sellers. With unique actions for each season, reminiscent of Wingspan's mechanics, players will engage in grape growing, wine making, wine aging, and order fulfilling. The choices you make and the cards you draw will shape the extent to which you participate in each season. Available now for just $48.26 on Amazon.

And it is these cards that bring some of the most memorable moments reminiscent of Wingspan to the game. Each card represents a distinct specialist, allowing you to encounter just as many players/roles in the wine world as you have already encountered bird species in the natural world. Get ready to familiarize yourself with new terminology and, if you're particularly interested, delve deeper into your appreciation for this beloved alcoholic beverage. However, it's worth noting that the game's theme itself might be the only potential drawback to an otherwise well-designed game. It's understandable that some parents may not want their children exposed to positive portrayals of alcohol and the industry. Remember to play responsibly!

2 Dice Hospital

In the game Dice Hospital, players are in charge of overseeing the hospital staff, constructing buildings, and tending to the dice... uh, patients. The game consists of 8 rounds, which can be completed swiftly once you grasp the mechanics.

Age Recommendation: 10+

Game Duration: 45-90 Minutes

Brand: Alley Cat Games

Number of Players: 1-4

Designers: Stanislav Kordonskiy and Mike Nudd

Pros:

- Engaging dice play reminiscent of the action "Gather Food"

- Games become quicker once the mechanics are understood.

Individual Moments

ConsNo Nature Theme

Amazon sells it for $41.37.

In Wingspan, developing your board and completing objectives are fundamental aspects of the game. While there may be a need to collect resources before your opponents, there is a great satisfaction in your own progress. However, it is also important to stay watchful of others and their plans. Dice Hospital takes a similar approach, mixing competition with a selfish mentality. Players take turns selecting patients and expansions/workers for their own hospitals in a sometimes cutthroat manner. However, they are also able to focus on their personal objectives without distraction. The game clearly indicates when attention should be paid to others and when players can fully immerse themselves in their own goals.

Dice Hospital is played in 8 rounds: draft, develop, and administrate. Although these phases may seem complex initially, average players can easily adapt to them. On the other hand, Wingspan always consists of 26 turns per player, along with an initial draw phase, and no matter how well-versed you are in the game, its length cannot be shortened. However, Dice Hospital, while maintaining its complexity, becomes more streamlined after multiple playthroughs, reducing the extra time. If all players at the table have a solid understanding of the rules (and trust their opponents), the administration phases can be played simultaneously, allowing for a faster-paced game without compromising its tight and intense gameplay. Wingspan fans may be disappointed by the absence of a nature theme in Dice Hospital. It is advisable to play Dice Hospital with friends who also enjoy Two Point Hospital, House, and Scrubs.

1 Ark Nova

Introducing Ark Nova

Get it now for only $62.99 instead of $74.95, saving you $11.96!

Embark on a thrilling journey as an environmentalist and guardian of wildlife in Ark Nova. Your mission is to rescue endangered species and protect the precious environment. Each turn, strategize and select various actions to enhance your own sanctuary. With careful planning and patience, your underutilized moves will become even more formidable.

Age Recommendation 14+Game Duration 90-150 MinutesBrand FeuerlandNumber of Players 1-4Designer Mathias Wigge ProsMany Types of Moves

Delightful Animal/Nature Theme

Intense Planning Required

Board Gamer Approval

ConsArt Falls Flat

$62.99 at Amazon

Ark Nova is highly regarded in the board game community, although it may not be as well-known as popular games like Catan. However, it definitely lives up to its reputation and caters to players who enjoy games like Wingspan. Similar to Wingspan, players take turns performing different types of actions that involve interacting with animals. While Wingspan allows players to strengthen their moves by adding more birds, Ark Nova takes a different approach by making actions stronger when they are not performed. As a result, the game requires intense planning and a bit of luck, just like Wingspan.

The conservation theme of Ark Nova will undoubtedly attract the same audience that enjoys Wingspan. However, while Wingspan has stylish art, Ark Nova relies on pictures. Although these pictures provide an educational look into animals, they may not have the same charm when it comes to images of people. They often appear familiar, as if they were taken from general stock photos rather than specifically chosen for the game. Nevertheless, this is purely a stylistic matter that some players adore while others may not appreciate it as much.

FAQ

Q: Is Wingspan similar to Everdell?

Q: Is Wingspan skill based?

Wingspan is a game that heavily relies on skill. Although there are elements of luck involved, they can typically be overcome or have minimal impact on gameplay. For instance, certain birds give players the opportunity to roll additional feed dice that are not currently in use, allowing them to earn bonuses based on the outcomes. Experienced players who strategically include these birds in their tableau can make calculated decisions on whether to utilize them based on the number of dice available to roll each turn. The superior reasoning and long-term planning abilities of highly skilled Wingspan players usually result in their triumph over less skilled opponents.