Tapestry (board game)-Cedar Herald Index

Tapestry is a 2019 strategy board game designed by Jamey Stegmaier and published by Stonemaier Games.

Gameplay

At the beginning of the game, each player chooses a civilization that they will use throughout the whole game. Unlike most other games of the same genre, the civilizations are not based on historical civilizations, and the game does not attempt to closely simulate the progression of real-world history. Each civilization has unique advantages and characteristics. The players then complete certain objectives and advance through phases of the game called "eras."

Tapestry (board game)

Civilizations can progress toward their objectives along four tracks: military, science, technology, or exploration. Moving on the exploration track allows the player to place tiles on the board to create the map. The military track allows players to place outposts on map tiles and topple opponents' outposts to conquer territory. On the technology track, players gain technology cards, which give various special abilities and benefits, such as victory points for certain buildings. When moving on the science track, the player rolls the science die, which helps the player move farther on other tracks and gain extra bonuses for a certain price.

Tapestry (board game)

In addition to the shared board, each player has their own small capital city grid mat. If a player is the first to start a new era on a certain track, they receive a landmark, a miniature building, to place on their capital city mat. Players get income and points based on what spaces of their capital city mat remain uncovered.

Tapestry (board game)

The game ends for a player after the fifth time they enter a new era. Thus, the game ends at different times for each player. The winner of the game is the player with the most victory points.

Reception

Among game reviewers, Tapestry has been "divisive". Dicebreaker noted the many possible routes to victory as a positive element. Abram Towle also praised this aspect of the game and gave it an overall positive review, stating, "Put another one up in the 'win' category for Stonemaier Games." Writing for Ars Technica, Dan Thurot praised the game's simplicity relative to other "civilization" games, stating, "In a genre packed with over-complicated (and over-long) entries, Tapestry fulfills its promise of a two-hour civilization game with minimal rules." He noted, however, that it does not allow for the "narrative" element common to most civilization games. Additionally, both Thurot and Dicebreaker expressed some disappointment that the building miniatures ultimately did nothing more than take up space on the player's capital city board.