Looking for a quick, beautiful game with a touch of abstract strategy? Dust in the Wings might be your pick, featuring Mancala-inspired gameplay and a charming nature photography theme.
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Highlights
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Charming abstract strategy
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Quick and easy to learn
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Delicate and relaxing art
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Mancala mechanic reinvented
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Keep in mind
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Objectives can be tricky
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Little direct interaction
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Light, non-central theme
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get your camera ready and your eye sharp, because in Dust in the Wings, you'll want to capture the beauty of a blooming meadow! Inspired by the classic Mancala mechanic, this abstract game puts you in the shoes of a photographer trying to capture the perfect scene. The board is a 5x5 garden where colorful butterflies land on flowers. Each turn, you'll pick up a handful of butterflies from one flower and distribute them to adjacent ones, one by one, just like in Mancala. The trick is to plan this distribution to fulfill 'Gathering' objectives (collecting an exact number of butterflies of certain colors on one flower) or 'Composition' objectives (forming a specific pattern of flowers with butterflies on the board). It's a game that requires planning, spatial reasoning, and a bit of pattern recognition to anticipate opponents' moves and optimize your own. Despite the Mancala inspiration, the addition of scoring objectives and the freedom of distribution bring a new strategic layer. The artwork is a standout, with a delicate visual that evokes the tranquility of a sunny day in the countryside. It's quick, easy to learn, yet deep enough for engaging replays. Perfect for those who enjoy abstract games with a charming thematic touch and fluid gameplay that doesn't drag.
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Gallery
Box and component photos
11 photos · from the community
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Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
businessPublisherBoard&Dice, Lucrum Games, Pixie Games
editDesignerChristian Kruchten, Dennis Kirps, Jean-Claude Pellin
paletteArtistOdysseas Stamoglou
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Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
723owners
127wishlist
10want to play
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
6 questions
What is the average playtime for Dust in the Wings? expand_more
Games are usually quite fast, typically lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the player count and familiarity with the rules.
How many players can participate? expand_more
The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and works well at all counts.
Is it a difficult game to learn? expand_more
No, the basic rules for distributing the butterflies are quite simple, inspired by Mancala. The complexity arises when trying to optimize the scoring objectives.
Is the photography and nature theme strongly present in the gameplay? expand_more
The theme serves more as a charming backdrop for the art and setting. The gameplay focuses on the abstract strategy of placement and pattern recognition.
What are the main components of the game? expand_more
You'll find a main board (the 5x5 garden), many colorful butterflies (pieces), and objective cards (Gathering and Composition).
What type of player is Dust in the Wings best suited for? expand_more
It's great for those who enjoy abstract games, spatial puzzles, Mancala mechanics, or are simply looking for a beautiful and quick game to relax with.