8.1
rating
Ludopedia
6.8
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you love silent, strategic card play, Songbirds is right up your alley!
Highlights
- Line‑majority scoring
- Smart hand management
- Nature theme
Keep in mind
- Tie rules can be confusing
- Moderate learning curve
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Songbirds is a card game that puts you in the role of a forest spirit, subtly guiding one of four colored birds (red, blue, green, and white) toward dominance. The board is a 5×5 grid where each player quietly places 1‑to‑7 numbered cards in empty cells. When the grid is full, rows and columns are scored: the color with the highest total in each line claims the corresponding nut token. In case of a tie, the line remains empty, allowing lower‑value cards to win. At the end, each player reveals the last card left in their hand; that card represents the player’s favorite bird, and its number is added to the nuts earned by that bird, determining the final score. The game can be played by 2‑4 players, or in a cooperative or solo mode for 1‑2 players, using the same hand‑management and area‑majority mechanics. The simple visual design and strategic depth make Songbirds a great choice for fans of silent card competition and rhythmic tactical decisions. The nature theme and line‑influence mechanic add charm, while the cooperative or solo options boost replayability.
The average 20‑minute playtime ensures a quick yet challenging session, and the core components—color‑coded cards and a 5×5 board—keep setup easy. The learning curve is moderate; the line‑scoring rule may take a few minutes to internalize, but it becomes intuitive quickly. In terms of audience, Songbirds appeals to those who enjoy card games focused on strategy over luck, and to players who appreciate nature and animal themes.
In short, Songbirds blends simple rules with strategic depth, offering a fun, accessible experience for groups seeking something light yet challenging. If you love card games that demand careful planning and silent competition, this title will surprise you.
The average 20‑minute playtime ensures a quick yet challenging session, and the core components—color‑coded cards and a 5×5 board—keep setup easy. The learning curve is moderate; the line‑scoring rule may take a few minutes to internalize, but it becomes intuitive quickly. In terms of audience, Songbirds appeals to those who enjoy card games focused on strategy over luck, and to players who appreciate nature and animal themes.
In short, Songbirds blends simple rules with strategic depth, offering a fun, accessible experience for groups seeking something light yet challenging. If you love card games that demand careful planning and silent competition, this title will surprise you.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
REC
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
こっち屋 (Kocchiya), Daily Magic Games, Gen-X Games (GenX), Homosapiens Lab, Pixie Games, Schwerkraft-Verlag, 盒拍工作室 Hepa Studio
Designer
ゆお (Yuo)
Artist
Claire Donaldson, ことり寧子 (Kotori Neiko)
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime?
About 20 minutes, making it great for quick gaming sessions.
How many players can play?
1 to 4 players; there are cooperative and solo modes for 1‑2 players.
Are the tie rules on lines tricky?
Yes, if there is a tie the line is empty, letting lower‑value cards win.
Does the game rely more on luck or strategy?
Strategy is key; luck only comes from the initial card draw.
Who is the target audience?
Fans of strategic card games, nature themes, and silent competition will enjoy it.
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