Photosynthesis

Today's review is of the 2017 release, Photosynthesis. For 2-4 players, it takes 30-60 minutes.

Overview

Trees need light to grow and thrive. But in a forest, you've got competition. Can you place, grow, and harvest your trees more effectively than your opponents?

In Photosynthesis, you take turns placing seeds and growing them into small, medium, and large trees, after which they can be harvested for points. Each action has a 'light cost,' and light points are earned at the start of each turn. But beware! The sun rotates around the board (there are six positions), and trees near you may throw shade (quite literally), blocking you from the precious light and denying you the points you need.

This is a game where placement is key. Small trees block other small trees one square away, medium ones block small or medium trees up to two squares away, and large ones block small, medium, and large trees up to three squares away. But as the sun rotates around the board, what blocks you one turn might be blocked in the future. 

game in progress; image from here

To start the game, the sun is placed in one corner, and the first player places a small tree. Play proceeds in a specified initial order for the setup. Then the game begins:

- all players calculate their light points based on trees they have exposed to sunlight and their size (small=1 point, medium=2, large=3)

- starting with the first player and proceeding clockwise, each spends their light points to place seeds or grow trees

- if you have a large tree, you can harvest it for points based on its board position (closer to the middle nets higher points)

- once all have gone, the sun moves clockwise to the next position on the board, the first player token passes, and the next round begins

- the game ends when the sun has completed three full rotations (so 18 positions)

Review

This is a simple and solid game. Timing is of the essence. As the sun rotates, the positioning that helps you one turn will almost certainly hinder you within a few more. But size matters, so you can overcome being blocked from the light if you have a taller tree (or are the right distance away). And you can always harvest the large trees once they no longer get you light points based on nearby competitors. Costs for a given size tree (or seed) are spelled out on the board, and do increase as your supply dwindles. But you replenish your supply by putting 'used' trees back on your supply, so timing is important there, too. In all, this is an offering that's quick to learn and fun to play. In theme and approach, it is similar to Bosk, but much better. Highly recommended.

Rating: A