Lacuna Review

boardgamequest.com:

Lacuna is a fast and fun abstract strategy game is where players will place their pawns, collect flowers, and if you win the majority of flower colors you win the game!

When I think of abstract strategy games, the first ones that come to mind are the ones that my family and I have on rotation: Chess, Shobu, Noctiluca, Onitama, Cathedral, and Feudal. These aren’t the only ones we like or own, but these are some of the ones that come out on family game night or when my son has a hankering to play. I own others like Bosk, Photosynthesis, and Othello but those really don’t hit the table but once maybe twice within the last couple of years. Maybe those 3 need to find new homes?

This brings us to today’s review Lacuna a game by Mark Gerrits and CMYK. This abstract strategy game is where players will place their pawns, collect flowers, and if you win the majority of flower colors you win the game. Will Lacuna be another good abstract strategy game worthy of our game rotation, or will this be another one that needs a new home? Read on!

Lacuna is an abstract strategy game for 2 players which plays in about 10-15 minutes.

Lacuna set-up is straight forward and quick. The first player will collect 1 of the 7 different flower token colors (each color includes 7). Players then spread out the cloth playmat and fill the game container with the remaining 48 flower tokens and sprinkle the flower tokens over the playmat trying to distribute evenly.

The first player begins and draws an imaginary line between 2 of the same-colored flower tokens and places 1 of their 6 pawns on that line. That player then collects those two flower tokens if no other flower tokens or pawns block that line. Once a player collects their 2 flower tokens play passes to the opposing player. Play continues until all pawns are placed on the playmat.

The second part of the game now begins with the remaining unclaimed flower tokens on the playmat. Both players will now collect the flower tokens that are closest