# PARKS: Nightfall

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2021
- **BGG Rating**: 8.1
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 40-70 min
- **Weight**: 2.24 / 5
- **Designers**: Mattox Shuler
- **Artists**: Fifty-Nine Parks Print Series
- **Publishers**: Keymaster Games, Albi, Albi Polska, Feuerland Spiele, Matagot, Surfin' Meeple China, Tranjis Games
- **Categories**: Animals, Environmental, Expansion for Base-game, Travel
- **Mechanics**: Contracts, End Game Bonuses, Worker Placement

## Verdict
A must-have for base game fans seeking more strategic depth and stunning visuals.Absolutely breathtaking artworkInteresting new camping mechanicMore park variety and rewardsIncreases the game's replayabilityRequires base game to playSlightly increases complexityRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever felt that magic of exploring nature as the sun dips and colors shift? That's exactly what the Nightfall expansion brings to the PARKS universe. If you're already a fan of the base game, get ready, because the trail just got longer and more intriguing. The highlight here is the introduction of new Park Cards, featuring breathtaking artwork from the Fifty-Nine Parks Print series, including the 17 parks that weren't represented in the original box. It's not just about the looks; these new cards offer fresh rewards that can completely flip your scoring strategy on its head.

What really shifts the game's dynamic, however, is the new Camping mechanic. Now, your journey along the trail gains new layers of depth, forcing you to plan more carefully where and when to stop, rest, and gather resources. Additionally, the expansion introduces new Year Cards, bringing fresh events and challenges, and new bonus scoring opportunities that make the final tally much more competitive.

Essentially, Nightfall expands both the sensory and strategic experience of the game. You still have the core worker placement and set collection feel, but with more paths and goals to pursue. It's the perfect choice for those who feel they've mastered the base game and want to 'upgrade' their experience, adding more variety and, of course, more of that stunning art that makes PARKS one of the most beautiful games on any shelf. If you love the environmental theme and want to explore every nook and cranny of the US National Parks, this expansion is the way to go.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
In PARKS: Nightfall Expansion, you continue your journey through beautiful landscapes, but with new challenges and opportunities. Players aim to explore the Trail, visit National Parks, and collect resources to maximize their score. Your goal is to achieve the highest score by fulfilling Year cards and visiting diverse Parks.

Setup
To set up the game, follow these steps:

    Parks: Set up the Parks in the same way as the base game, but shuffle the Nightfall Parks cards with the base game Parks deck. Place the deck onto the board and reveal three as usual.
    Wildlife: Give each player one Wildlife token to start.
    Campsite Board: Place the Campsite board below the Trailhead. If playing with 4 to 5 players, flip it to the side.
    Campsite Tiles: Collect the Campsite tiles. If playing with 5 players, place the tile with the Tent icon on the bottom right by the Campsite board; otherwise, return it to the box. Shuffle the remaining Campsite tiles and add three to the Campsite area. Ensure all Campsites are flipped to their Season side on the bottom left. Return unused tiles to the box.
    Tents: Once the Weather is set up, place the Tent tokens onto the Trail in the spaces indicated with stars. 
        
            In a 1–3 player game, use 3 Tents. Place one on the Site directly before the Trail End. Moving towards the Trailhead, place one on every other Site so there is a Trail Site between each Site with a Tent.
            In a 4–5 player game, place the additional Tent between the two closest to the Trailhead.
        
    
    Year Cards: Do not use the base game Year deck. Shuffle the Nightfall Year deck and deal two cards to each player. Each player chooses one Year card and discards the other face down to the bottom of the deck. Place the deck onto the Campsite board.


Game Flow
The game follows the standard structure of the base game but introduces new elements during the Season Change and player turns.
Season Change
At the end of each Season, perform the following:

    Remove any Weather tokens remaining on the Trail.
    Remove all Tents from Campsites and the Trail.
    Where necessary, flip Campsites so the number on the bottom left corresponds to the next Season.
    The Year action on the Campsite board remains available.
    Place a new Tent on the new Trail as you did during setup.

Note: The number of Advanced Sites remaining in the stack indicates the current season (Season 1 starts with three, Season 2 with two, Season 3 with one, and Season 4 with none).

Actions and How to Play
On your turn, you can perform various actions. Note that Nightfall Parks may feature Instant Actions (indicated by a star icon) which activate immediately after you pay the required tokens to visit the Park.

Using a Campsite
When a player places their Hiker on a Trail Site with a Tent, they have two options:

    Visit the Trail Site as usual, taking its action and Weather token (if applicable).
    Take the Tent on the Site and place it on an available Campsite to take its action. (Note: You do not gain a Weather token when using a Campsite).


Campsite Actions
Campsites feature actions that change at the end of a Season. Examples of actions include:

    Campsite Board: Turn in 3 Sun tokens to draw 2 Year cards from the deck, then discard one from your hand to the bottom of the deck.
    Gear/Year Actions: Various actions allow players to discard cards to draw new ones, or trade tokens for Gear, Year cards, Wildlife, or Photos.


Park Visiting and Instant Actions
To visit a Park, you must pay the tokens shown on the card. Nightfall Parks include Instant Actions. You must first pay the tokens to visit the Park, then you may perform the Instant Action. If you do not take the Instant Action, you miss the opportunity.
Gear discounts only apply to specific tokens and do not apply to the brown token symbol. However, Wildlife can be used in place of any token symbol when performing an action.

End of Game and Scoring
The game ends when the Season Change triggers the end of the final season. Points are calculated based on Year cards and Visited Parks.

Scoring Rules

    Year Cards: Each Year card in play scores. There is no limit to the number of Year cards a player may have, but if a player has multiple copies of the same card, it only scores once. Year cards gained during the game remain face down until scoring.
    Incremental Goals: Nightfall Year cards use incremental goals (e.g., 1 point for every 3 Water). The better you accomplish the goal, the more points you score.
    Resource Counting: Only icons to the left of the count on a Year card count toward goals. Icons in the Instant Action area of Nightfall Parks do not count toward goals.
    Wildlife: In 5-player games, an optional rule allows 1 Wildlife to count as 2 tokens for the brown token symbol.


Victory Tiers
Your total score determines your hiking status:

    Less than 25 points: You definitely went hiking...
    25–29 points: You’re going casual, a real enthusiast.
    30–34 points: You’re a seasoned Hiker now!
    35+ points: You made memories that’ll last a lifetime.


Tips for Winning

    Manage your duplicates: If you draw a duplicate Year card, try to exchange it using a Campsite action to maximize your scoring potential.
    Plan for Campsites: Since Campsites provide powerful actions that change every season, plan your movement to utilize them when they are most beneficial.
    Utilize Instant Actions: When visiting Nightfall Parks, always ensure you have the resources to trigger the Instant Action, as these provide immediate advantages.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play Nightfall?
Yes! This is an expansion, so you must own the PARKS base game to use it.

### Does it make the game much harder?
Not drastically. It adds new options and the camping mechanic, but keeps the original's accessible feel.

### How much longer do games take?
Average playtime is between 40 to 70 minutes, depending on player count, so it doesn't significantly change the duration.

### What are the main additions?
New Park Cards (including 17 new parks), fresh Year Cards, and the new camping mechanic.

### Is it worth it for solo players?
Absolutely! The new cards and bonuses provide fresh goals for the solo mode, refreshing the experience.

## Price Comparison
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