Bärenpark
2-4 players | Ages 8+ | 30-45 minutes
Publisher: Lookout Games, 2017
Art: Klemens Franz
In Bärenpark each player builds their own bear park, attempting to make it as beautiful as they can, while also using every square meter possible. The park is created by combining polyomino tiles onto a grid, with players scoring for animal houses, outdoor areas, completed construction, and more. The sooner you build it, the better! Cover icons to get new tiles and park sections. The game ends as soon as one player has finished expanding their park, then players tally their points to see who has won.
When I began designing what became Bärenpark, I wanted to make a game that was all about polyomino tiles. One of my favourite games is Bernard Tavitian’s Blokus, and since first playing it I have been fascinated about the different sizes of polyomino shapes and the different ways they fit together. Originally about building theme parks, I wanted my game to be quick and flowing, so I borrowed an idea from an older flailing design of mine: When you place a tile, the icons you cover determine what new tiles you get to take. I am really glad this game has found an audience, and that I got to revisit it with the Bad News Bears expansion too!
Awards
★ 2017 Spiel der Spiele Game of the Year Winner
★ 2018 Gra Roku Family Game of the Year Winner
★ 2018 Boardgames Australia Awards Best Australian Game Winner
★ 2018 Kanga Game of the Year Winner
★ 2017 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
Also released
● Bärenpark: The Bad News Bears Expansion
Links
➚ Bärenpark at Lookout Games
➚ Bärenpark at BoardGameGeek