Everdell - Pearlbrook: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Worker Placement, Engine Builder
Player Age: 13+ Player Count: 1 - 4 Players Time to Play: 40 - 80 Minutes
Game Designer: James. A. Wilson
Game Artist: Andrew Bosley, Dann MayPublisher: Starling GamesYear Published: 2019BGG Weight: 2.76
Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
Player Age: 13+
Game Designer: James. A. Wilson
Game Artist: Andrew Bosley, Dann May
Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
The Pearlbrook river has been found by the critters of Everdell. Now to embrace these new critters amphibious ambassadors have been sent to trade knowledge and resources. One of these resources i the new resource found within the river, pearls.
River:
The main addition of the expansion is the river. This adds a new board segment that sits on the left side. Here you may send your frog ambassador to gain pearls or to interact with river destinations.
In terms of frog ambassadors, there is one added to the game for each other critter type that a player can be. Unlike critters, these frogs can only go to worker spots that have a frog foot pad on it. At the start of the game four random river destinations will be played face down on the river board and a pearl will be placed on top of each destination. Each of these locations have a requirement of critter/construction type that needs to be in your city before you can visit there (e.g. three green cards in your city). If you are the first player to visit the destination you will receive the pearl, flip the destination face up and, if possible, perform the function.
There are two types of river destination cards; the citizens that will require players to discard cards, and locations that will require players to discard a point and resources. The return for both actions will be a card and a pearl.
Wonders:
The basic events have been replaced by wonders (by using board overlays). These wonders don't require certain cards in your city but instead have a cost of resources, cards and pearls. The point values of the wonders are drastically higher then the basic events of the base game. The wonders are worth 10, 15, 20 and 25 points.
Adornments:
At the start of the game each player will be given two adornment cards. These cards will cost a pearl and your one turn action to play but usually has a great bonus when played. For example you may activate all the green cards in your city another time.Each adornment also has bonus points shown at the bottom of the card that will be awarded at the end of the game if it was played during the game.
More Content:
Four new critter types have been added to the game, as well as four forest cards, six special events and 32 cards to be added to the main deck. The new cards for the critters and constructions will have effects such as the pirate who will help you to gain pearls (worth 2 points in end game scoring) or the Bridge that will increase your hand side for each pearl.
Open/close signs are also added to help signify the worker spots in each players city.
Scorepad:
This may seem like a simple addition but it helps to make scoring easier and faster at the end of the game. It also helps players to keep an eye on what is worth points during end game scoring.
Final Thoughts:
Pros:- The open/close signs not only adds a great table presence but they help the players remember available worker spots.
- The back of the new cards are not distinguishable from the base cards so it keeps everything blending smoothly.
- A interesting push your luck concept of either keeping your pearls to work with your critters/constructions or choosing to spend them on wonders/adornments.
Neutral:
- Wonders are worth drastically higher points so new players should plan for wonders early in the game.
Most of the content in this expansion requires the river to properly incorporate the rest of the expansion into the game. Fortunately, it doesn't add too much complexity and just works to enhance the base game in every way. There is an interesting dynamic where you can only use your frog ambassador four times in the game so you have to plan effectively the best ways to gain pearls and whether to use them. The adornments are my favourite addition as they can direct the player’s towards new pathways of end game scoring. This Pearlbrook expansion has breathed new and exciting life into Everdell and will always be included when I play. This expansion has earnt a go to golden seal. I recommend this expansion for anyone who enjoys Everdell and would like to explore what more the game can offer.
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