Emberleaf

The City of Games, Cranio Creations, DSV Games · Board game · 2025
1–5 · best 3 Solo 90–120 min Weight 3.1/5
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Love construction and resource challenges? Emberleaf will hook you!

Highlights
  • Epic card combos
  • Vibrant village building
  • Solo mode fun
Keep in mind
  • Medium complexity rules
  • Limited forest space
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About the game
Emberleaf is the game that will get your brain working while you try to rebuild your home in the heart of an ancient forest. You step into the role of a brave Emberling, and the mission is simple: explore the woods, gather resources, clear dangerous areas, and of course, build new homes for the crew. The twist is that the forest has limited space and other Emberlings also want their spot, so you’ll need strategy and smart choices. The core of the game blends cards and hexagonal tiles: you slide hero cards into a moving grid to activate unique abilities and create explosive combos. Meanwhile, you place hex tiles to build villages that meet your villagers’ needs. Each hero brings a special power, and you can recruit them to strengthen the team. The game also features a contract system that rewards you for completing objectives, and a solo mode that tests if you can win on your own. If you enjoy planning, resource gathering, and a bit of “kill‑steal” (where a player can steal victory from another), Emberleaf will surprise you. The playtime is 90–120 minutes, works well with 1–5 players, and has a medium complexity level – not a 5‑minute game, but not a maze of rules either. If you like building cities, collecting sets, and having fun with animal and fantasy themes, this title has plenty to offer.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK
WHERE TO BUY
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Game details

Families

Animals: Birds Animals: Foxes Animals: Frogs / Toads Animals: Hedgehogs / Porcupines Animals: Owls Animals: Rabbits / Hares Animals: Rats Animals: Squirrels / Chipmunks Animals: Turtles Components: Hexagonal Tiles Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples Components: Wooden pieces & boards Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Game: The City of Kings Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Theme: Trees and Forests
Publisher The City of Games, Cranio Creations, DSV Games, Maldito Games, MINDOK, Mosaico Jogos, Portal Games, Skellig Games
Designer Frank West, James Tomblin
Artist Frank West, James Tomblin
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average playtime?
Between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on player count and chosen complexity.
How many players does it support?
Ideal for 1 to 5 players, with a balanced experience across all ranges.
Is there a solo mode?
Yes, there is a solo mode that pits your strategy against an AI algorithm.
What are the main components?
Hero cards, hexagonal tiles, board, animal meeples, and resource markers.
What is the learning curve?
Medium – you need to learn to combine cards and place tiles, but it’s not overly complex.
Is it suitable for kids?
Yes, but the complexity and fantasy theme may be better suited for teens and adults.
What was the production cost?
The game was crowdfunded on Kickstarter, so production costs were kept low to maintain an affordable price.