Aspens scratches a very specific itch. We’re big Photosynthesis fans, and I’ve been hunting for a two-player nature game that’s faster, cozier, and still offers that satisfying chess-like crunchSpoiler alert: Aspens delivers.
One of my favorite things about board games is how much you learn along the way. I thought Aspen was just a ski town in Colorado. Turns out they’re beautiful, tough trees that grow in huge underground colonies. Aspens are like one big forest family quietly expanding together.That calm, persistent and resilient growth? That’s basically the theme of this game!
Aspens scratches a very specific itch. We’re big Photosynthesis fans, and I’ve been hunting for a two-player nature game that’s faster, cozier, and still offers that satisfying chess-like crunchSpoiler alert: Aspens delivers.
One of my favorite things about board games is how much you learn along the way. I thought Aspen was just a ski town in Colorado. Turns out they’re beautiful, tough trees that grow in huge underground colonies. Aspens are like one big forest family quietly expanding together.That calm, persistent and resilient growth? That’s basically the theme of this game!
Aspens is a fast, strategic, two-player forest expansion game from new publisher Ludivore Games, designed by Neil Edwards and Luke Roberts. It’s a tug-of-war powered by dice and pretty trees. The wind die establishes the direction in which you can grow, and the sun die determines which tiles get to spread their roots. Outgrow your opponent, claim the most territory, and hopefully become the ruler of the woods!
Forest Fresh: The Setup
The board? Seven hex tiles with three water tiles scattered around. Players choose either yellow aspens or green pines. Then, each player plants three seeds, one next to each water tile. I’m happily taking pro tips on where to face my first trees to maximize my growth! Player than take turns planting four trees. You can plant all the trees on one existing tile, or spread out to try to maximize your space.
How to Play
Each turn rolls the sun die and the wind die.
The sun die shows a number, and each of your forest tiles with at least that many trees will generate one tree
The wind die tells you which directions you can expand into empty tiles
The rolling player, gets a bonus tree
Then, collect trees based on your forest size and the sun roll
Here comes the fun. Plan your move! Either grow up on your existing tiles to boost future tree production, or grow out in wind-allowed directions to claim more territory.
If you enclose an area that your opponent can’t reach, you instantly celebrate and fill it with your trees to claim the whole zone. This is a very satisfying and savage way to strategically and peacefully conquer the forest. But beware, claiming a huge chunk of the forest doesn’t guarantee your victory.
You win by controlling the most tiles when the board is full!
Who’s This Game For?
Nature game lovers who want a beautiful and fast game
Two-player gamers who crave tactical decisions with a touch of luck
Fans of spatial puzzles and peaceful competition
Anyone who likes watching something grow (and then totally cutting off their opponent’s opportunities)
What Makes Aspens Unique?
Tug-of-forest decisions by balancing the growth of tall forests vs. quick expansion
Sun and wind dice that add luck yet keep the game strategic
Territory claiming race your opponent to close off areas to instantly claim them
Chain planting place new trees adjacent to ones just planted for massive growth
Pros
Clever dice system mixing luck with strategy
Spatial puzzle keeps you thinking each turn
Quick to learn, teach, and play
Language independent
Fast turns, minimal downtime
Considerations
Dice rolls can mess with your plans
Forest tiles can get crowded if you stack too many trees in one spot
There are two versions:
Standard edition which has abstract pieces
Deluxe version with beautiful treeples and cloth bags for easier set up
Bottom Line
Aspens is a beautiful, brainy, quick-to-play forest game. It takes up a bit of table space, but it’s worth it. I really enjoy how the board gets colorful as you play. I had the chance to playtest an early copy, and while my opinions are totally my own, I can’t wait to play the finished version.
This one hits right on target for my 2025 goal to find and review the best two-player games. Check out Aspens Kickstarter campaign to learn more about the campaign and see how the final forest takes shape
