WINGSPAN

Picture this, In a world where egregious violence is commonplace in video games, you find a simple Bird card game. At first you don't even give the game a second glance, "Pfff that's sort of goofy, I wonder who plays these kinds of games". You put it on your wish list as a joke and continue mindlessly scrolling the day away browsing the steam store, but one day may it be the weather or your particular melancholy mood; you decide to give the game a chance.
The first twenty or so minutes roll by slower than a sloth. You're appalled at the horrifyingly long tutorial and almost resign yourself to refund it, but you push on, past the sometimes unwieldy game mechanics and the steep learning curve to uncover a hidden gem. Minutes turn into hours as you pour your heart and soul into getting as many feathers as possible. The simple yet addicting nature held your attention like no other.
While maybe not for all, this game is truly something special.

Incredible port of this board game to digital format. Extremely pleasing UI and visual/audio effects. Easy to take actions and all rules are thoughtfully implemented in the interface. Much easier to play on screen than trying to manage all the cards and pieces from multiple expansions!
The main complaint I have is the karma system used for online matchmaking. You lose 5 karma if you time out / miss your turn, and then you get matched with other players that also have lower karma and are more likely to leave or disconnect. Getting karma back is nearly impossible. You only regain 1 karma for a fully completed online game. If any opponent leaves early (even an hour into the game!!!), you get nothing. I have played for hours to try and regain karma and came up empty handed because my opponents kept quitting midway through. The game needs to better balance this system / award karma if you've been diligently playing for hours without disconnecting, regardless of what your opponents are doing.

First of all, I knew nothing about the physical version of the game.
I learned how to play the game itself from this version.
It may be confusing at first due the clutter of the UI but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a fantastic strategy game.
I'm not even crazy about card games and I usually avoid them.
Simply put, you have 4 actions to pick from each turn:
- Play a bird
- Take Food
- Lay eggs
- Draw a bird Card
You line up your bird cards to benefit from their powers in such a way that helps you gain advantage over other players (more food, eggs or cards etc). Of course there is some luck involved.
There is two types of goals to gain extra points from:
- Bonus Goal (that's your personal goal depending on the card you get in the beginning or from some birds during the game)
- End of Round Goals (randomized 4 goals each game)
I jumped in blind and the game took me by surprise. I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Edit: I only play Solo, Local and Remote Play with friends and AI, so my review is based solely on that.

A beautifully illustrated digital version of a board game I fell in love with instantly. I'm a big fan of engine builders and this is the game that taught me how much I like that style of game. I've been playing online with my friends a lot!

This review is going to be a little different from my usual format, as instead of telling you that the avian-themed strategy is fun and the designs are aesthetically pleasing, I want to tell you why Wingspan is important to me. I’ll try to keep it short.
Awhile ago I was sent to the hospital by ambulance, for privacy reasons I won’t share why, but for the next three weeks I’d be in recovery. It wasn’t until my fifth day when I was actually able to leave my room that I began to socialize. The first person I talked to was a girl who I’ll call Ren, she was self-admitted on the day of blood-work and I got to meet her after breakfast.
She actually attended my Highschool and when I was a Freshman she was a Senior, we were even in the same Art Club at the same time, ended up attending some events together but I never actually noticed her, funny thing was when I first saw her in the hospital I thought she looked like an artist, no particular reason, just read her as one. The first thing I asked her was about was the book she was reading and she asked me about the hoodie I was wearing. Naturally I asked her if she wanted to sit down and well, the rest is history; we became fast friends. You could say our relationship “took flight” then.
The unit we stayed in had a recreation office and a small living area for the patients, there were activities and books, board games too which is also how we found the physical version of Wingspan. This is also how I found out how much she loved birds, she had a few back at home and told me how much she missed them. So of course, Wingspan became a normal part of our daily routine playing it for hours each day, we'd even skip some meals and parts of our rehabilitation. I actually learned a lot about birds through playing it and the various ramblings of Ren, I’m quite the enthusiast now and my favorite bird is the Kingfisher if you were wondering. As for her? Well she was really fond of her one Budgie, who was wonderfully white with sky blue accents, and a funereal black beak. I got to see a few pictures, she was lovely. Cuddly too, so I've heard. That was her favorite.
Though sadly, a week and a half before she was discharged, Suki passed away of natural causes. We both cried. We stopped playing Wingspan as it had suddenly become a bitter taste in our mouths, but without it I fear our friendship would not have happened, and perhaps worse, each of us would have been alone during one of the saddest times of our lives.
Ren discharged shortly thereafter and as did I a week after her. We stay in touch every now and then, but the busy life she lives prevents her from answering the phone some days. Thinking of her, I had remembered I had purchased wingspan on Steam long ago, but never got around to playing it. It's been two months since I was hospitalized, but now I play it happily and reminisce of the conversations, laughter and the strength we had in recovery.
As for the review part of this I'll let others cover it. But for what I have to say is although the virtual version offers you not only DLC but the ability to play online with others all over the world, I would personally recommend the physical version of wingspan, I acknowledge I’m quite biased, but the authentic connections you can make over a face-to-face card game are times that remain valuable forever.
This review is Dedicated to Suki, may angels lead you in. And Ren, wherever you are, take care of yourself. Thank you for being a friend who was not only compassionate and empathetic, but also incredibly sincere and encouraging.

This game really makes you feel like an old man who likes birds a bit too much, especially if you play with your boyfriend who is also being affected by the "makes you feel like an old man who likes birds a bit too much" bit. You will certainly yell at each other like old men in a retirement home. The art adds to this, as it's all water colors and color pencils, simulating the oddly cozy feeling of being in a retirement home adorned by such things.
Perfect game, 10/10.

The most of my live I fall in love with the strategies or the shooters or RPG's.
Wingspan I've just decided to try because of "something weird with beautifully drawn birds".
BUT
This game is definitely addictive for a long time, because it's very interesting and it's literally impossible to tear yourself away. The most important thing is that no game is ever similar to another. At the same time all of them are interesting, and you don't notice how you are seriously thinking over the choice of a bird or the next step as well as in strategy game.
AND
Very nice drawing, you look at it , then google about birds.
Very relaxing , just a peace of rest in any situation.
Thrillingly, earnestly, wisely.