Bamboo Review

boardgamequest.com:

We review Bamboo, an action drafting and tile laying game published by Devir Games. Bamboo is the third in the line of games that started with Bitaku, and Brandon gives you his full thoughts on this game.

Bamboo, from designer Germán P. Millán and artist Jonatan Cantero, is the third game in the Kemushi Saga. The saga features titles Bitoku and Silk, and these games all share a fantasy universe with an Asian aesthetic. Bamboo is a return to a smaller box and the lighthearted artwork would make you think that this is more of a filler game than a design with depth.

But is that true? Within the box is a densely packed set of components, all with publisher Devir’s signature care and consideration. And an action selection system that is truly unique. Why don’t we make an offering to the spirits of the forest and see if they will favor us with their blessings while we look closer.

Bamboo is about happiness. Sustaining livelihood and finding comfort. It’s about coexisting with the spirits. Players utilize the local bamboo forest to take one of four actions to gain coin or food, improve their home, or create balance. This is done by making offerings at the local temples to the forest spirits and then taking actions equal to how much incense is used. Each round has four phases and there are four rounds in total.

Players begin by drafting two extra bamboo pieces to add to their home. Each bamboo piece has an icon with one of the four actions on it and there is a star icon that represents a wildcard option. After the draft, phase one (spring) provides a stick of incense to add to their starting three pieces. They also choose a gift from the forest (bonus action) which is selected first by the start player and the remaining