This little chance encounter could be the one you’ve waited for

Where does this game fit in terms of weight and mechanisms?

Llama Land is a family weight polyomino tile laying game with lightly added elements of resource management and bonus point selection. It is a 2021 title from Australian designer Phil Walker-Harding, author of fan favourites Barenpark, Sushi Go and Imhotep, along with newer titles such as Gizmos and Summer Camp.

Components and Game Art

When you open the Llama Land box and begin to unpack its pieces you are struck by the quality of the double layer punch board. There is genuine enjoyment to be had in pushing out those chunky polyominoes and resource counters. These pieces feel substantial when handled and that tactile pleasure results from strong design and production values extending throughout the game to provide vibrant tile colours and beautiful card art too. Together these make playing Llama Land an aesthetic treat.

Set Up and Game Play

Set up is variable depending upon the number of players, ensuring decent balance at different players counts

Players take their turns by selecting a tile and adding it to their tableau. You have a choice – extend your tableau outwards or build it upwards. If outwards, you will also get the opportunity to place a counter and bid for one of a selection of end game scoring bonuses. If you build upwards you will likely cover up resource icons on lower tiles, gaining any pictured resources to use to feed a Llama, and placing it on your tableau once you have collected four resources of a kind.

The sooner you bid on a bonus card the higher your end game bonus, the sooner you feed a Llama the higher the points that Llama will be worth. And right there is the heart of the decision space of this game:

Which shape tile shall I choose?

Where shall I place it?

Do I go for resources now or secure end game bonuses?

None of it is critical.

But all of it is meaningful.

A little help along the way

There are many llamas to feed and if while building your tableau upwards you cover a house icon you may take a helper from the village to assist you in your efforts. These cards allow you to convert resources or gain placement bonuses: each important for achieving end game goals.

In Summary

Mr Walker-Harding says of himself “I make games that are easy to learn and socially engaging to play. I hope my designs can bring people of all ages together at the table for meaningful experiences”.

That really should tell you most of what you need to know about whether this is a game for you.

Are you feeling sociable?

Hoping to attract adults and children too?

Want a rule book you can get your head around in about 20 minutes?

Yes?

In which case llama Land probably is worth some consideration.