Stem & Branch

Description

In the world of Stem & Branch, the animals of the Eastern zodiac calendar need your help to reach their final form. This strategy card game, designed by Michael Orion and published in 2025, is all about guiding these animals on their journey through a 60-year cycle. With easy-to-learn rules, Stem & Branch is perfect for 1 to 4 players who are looking for a fun and educational experience that can be completed in just 30 to 45 minutes. As you play, you'll be drawing cards from a deck that represents the 60-year calendar, with each card featuring a unique combination of an animal and element. Your goal is to rebuild the calendar by playing these cards into a shared tableau, using the elements and supporting animals to gain years throughout the game. The twist is that each card has a different cost, which you'll need to pay by discarding matching cards. But here's the clever part: animals already in the tableau can also support cards of their matching element, reducing costs and helping you progress. Whether you're competing against other players to contribute the most years to the animals' journeys or working together to help all the animals ascend, the game is full of exciting challenges and opportunities. As the game comes to an end, when the deck runs out of cards, you'll add up the years you've accumulated and the player with the most wins. With its unique blend of card drafting and multi-use cards, Stem & Branch offers a fresh and engaging gaming experience that's perfect for fans of animals, educational games, and strategy. So why not dive into the world of Stem & Branch and start guiding these amazing animals on their journey to the top? With its easy-to-learn rules and short playtime, it's the perfect game to add to your collection.

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