Why Forest Shuffle might be your next Obsession

One thing we learnt at the UK Games Expo this year is that compact and easy-to-learn games are as popular as ever. A runaway hit this year was Forest Shuffle; a quick tableau-building card game for between 2 to 5 players. Players must compete to create the most ecologically balanced habitat. The game is perfect for those who dream of being out in nature and amongst the towering trees and adorable wildlife.

Easy to Learn, Rewarding to Play

Forest Shuffle is truly an enchanting little game. It is essentially a tableau-building card game for between 2 and 5 players and is relatively quick to set up and play. Players must compete to collect valuable trees and attract various flora and fauna, therefore creating an ecologically balanced habitat. Points are awarded based on the trees and dwellers that they have collected within their forest. The mechanism for doing this involves drawing cards from a single deck and then playing them. There are multiple ways to win points and become the victor, whoever has collected the most points wins.

Shuffle into the Forest

Forest Shuffle is fairly quick and easy to learn. It also happens to be one of the smaller games around, so it is nice and easy to take on trips out etc. The Chaos Cards team really like the calming quality of the game. But don’t let the charming quality of the game fool you, as at its core, Forest Shuffle is a great strategic game that really makes you think hard about your next steps. Every decision you make has an impact and it is a great feeling when your strategies play out well and your plan comes to fruition.

Check out the Visually Stunning Artwork

The artwork is adorable with some beautiful art by Toni Llobet. Llobets artwork really makes Forest Shuffle stand out from other similarly themed games. The cards feel like a beautiful nature guide that would look good on any bookshelf. Forest Shuffles' artwork definitely feels like it adds to the enjoyment of the game. If you are interested in how board games work with an artist, check out our interview with board game artist Ekaterina Boguslavskaya.

Watch as your Forest Grows

There also happens to be two expansions available to enhance the core game of Forest Shuffle and offer endless possibilities for exploration and adventure. The current expansions are the Alpine expansion and Woodland Edge expansion. Both releases make the base game feel more dynamic but are very easy to integrate within the original decks of cards. The Woodland Edge expansion focuses on shrubs and introduces butterflies and bats, whereas the Alpine expansion focuses on the mountainous forests of the Alps, and brings with it the animals and trees that live there. The Exploration expansion is due to be released this Summer and is made up of caves and 15 rare animals from around the world that had previously only been available as promo cards.

Your Forest Awaits

Forest Shuffle really is a game perfect for nature lovers, and all the beautiful artwork, components and mechanics add up to make this a really great little game. It’s a game that is relatively easy to learn, but is very satisfying to play. The Chaos Cards team really enjoyed playing it at the UK Games Expo this year. Have you tried Forest Shuffle or any of the expansions yet? What did you think? Don’t forget to let us know over on our socials.