If patterns show wild pieces (a 4-colored shape) with printed numbers, only the height of those top pieces is relevant, not their color. As soon as at least one color of coral pieces runs out, the game will end after players finish out the current round of play. Reef is an abstract strategy game for two to four players where players are collecting pieces of coral which they then use to build a three-dimensional reef on their own personal player board. While building, players will score points for having different patterns of coral on their growing reef. Once any one colour of coral runs out the player with the most points wins.

While Reef isn’t a game of dramatic player conflict or cooperation, it does foster a subtle, under-the-surface tension that keeps everyone engaged throughout. Its interaction is like the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean—constant, but not overwhelmingly so.In all, Reef does an excellent job in being accessible to a wide audience. It’s a game that embraces and encourages inclusivity, offering a rewarding gaming experience to all who dare to dive into its depths. Strategies, Tactics and Tips All three games are beautifully designed, simple to learn, and offer a good amount of strategic depth. Reef stands out with its unique 3D gameplay, allowing players to build upwards, creating visually striking coral structures. If you enjoy abstract strategy games but prefer a calmer, more visually engaging experience with a slightly lower competitive edge, then Reef could be your game of choice. Hits and Misses After looking at their cards and what is face-up in the market, each player takes one of each coral type (there are four different types of coral each of which has its own colour) and places them on their board, which is a four by four grid. For the first few games, players are encouraged to use the centre four spots of their boards. Once players are more familiar with the game they should start using the outside edge instead. Personally, I thinkReefmight have the edge for me. It's slightly less cut-throat thanAzul, especially at the two-player count we frequently play at. It also scratches a bit of an engine-building itch, although it's not strictly in that style of game.Reeflooks great and plays really smoothly, and is really rewarding when you execute a brilliant sequence of turns.It’s certainly a game that I highly recommend.

Each piece can only count towards being part of one pattern. (No double-dipping.) If you can match the pattern shown at the bottom of the card, you score points. In this case it’s 6 points for the green pattern.However, one aspect where Reef could improve is its player aid. A simple reference card summarizing the possible actions during a turn and illustrating some of the common patterns could be helpful, especially for younger players or those less familiar with pattern-building games. Collect the most points by cleverly acquiring and playing cards that let you grow your reef and score its patterns. The result is a novel combination of a geographic puzzle and a card sequencing challenge. You need to set up cunning patterns ready for your next Reef cards while also carefully managing your hand to play them at just the right time. It is an easy game to learn but has a real depth of strategy, so it may take you some time to become master of the oceans. Take as many player boards E as there are players. Make sure the one with the starfish F is included. Shuffle them and place one at random in front of each player. The player with the starfish board will be the first player.

Each player with cards left in hand may score one occurrence of those patterns. The player with the most points wins the game! The player with the most points wins. All cards are divided into two halves and are resolved from top to bottom when played. The top half shows what two reef pieces you’ll add to your reef board when you play it, while the bottom half shows how you can score this turn. You score by having your reef match the pattern on the card. For example, if the card shows 3 purple reef pieces in a row, you need 3 purple reef pieces in a row on your reef board. You can also score multiple times if you have different reef pieces matching the pattern. For me, I would generally prefer to sit down and play Reef two-player, but if it were a casual game night with some adult beverages around I might prefer to have four people at the table.

End of the Game

Abstract strategy games seem to be on the rise in our hobby. Where they were once ignored due to their themeless nature and usually bland components, games like Azul, Santorini, and Onitama have reinvigorated the genre.

If the pattern appears multiple times throughout your reef, take the shown number of points as many times as the pattern appears. One of the great things about Reef, which I think can be considered an improvement over Chess and many other abstract strategy games, is that having your plans disrupted doesn’t ruin the game for you. While you may not be able to do exactly what you wanted there are always more cards and other potential combos. In this way Reef can be rather tactical.Reef is a really simple to learn game that is both easy to teach and play. There are only two actions you have to learn, draw a card or play a card. I am a big fan of the Azul games (my favourite of which you can read about in my Azul Summer Pavilion review) which are also from Plan B games. Compared to that series, Reef feels significantly lighter. With its indirect player interaction, Reef creates a deceptively serene gaming experience that belies the subtle competition bubbling underneath. The shared card draft is where most of the interaction occurs, as players can potentially disrupt each other’s strategies by taking desired cards. However, the competition is always friendly, fitting well with the game’s relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Currently, Reef doesn’t have any expansions. However, the standalone game itself offers enough replayability and strategic depth to keep players engaged. Keep an eye on this space for future updates. Comparison to Similar Games Moreover, the player interaction, while subtle, also contributes to the game’s replayability. The shared card draft allows for indirect competition as players vie for the same resources. There’s a satisfying tension in trying to anticipate your opponents’ moves while also focusing on your own strategy. Which means there’s a fair amount of planning ahead and strategizing that may be difficult for younger players to grasp. In fact, it may also take older players an initial play or two before they really get the synergy of play.