# Zen Garden

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2020
- **BGG Rating**: 7.0
- **BGG Rank**: #5873
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 30-40 min
- **Weight**: 1.88 / 5
- **Designers**: Mike Georgiou
- **Artists**: Dennis Lohausen
- **Publishers**: Queen Games, Lautapelit.fi
- **Mechanics**: End Game Bonuses, Pattern Building, Tile Placement

## Verdict
Zen Garden is deceiving: it looks relaxing but requires sneaky calculations. Perfect for tile-laying fans who want simple rules with tactical depth. The scoring boards create insane replay value – you'll never build the same garden twice. Just don't expect direct conflict: competition here is about snatching key tiles first.Huge strategic varietyEasy to teachGorgeous componentsLimited direct interactionToo luck-dependent for someRECOMMENDED

## Description
The emperor needs a spiritual retreat – and you're the architect tasked with building his dream zen garden! In Zen Garden, 2-4 players compete to create the most harmonious space by carefully placing path, statue, and plant tiles. Every game plays differently: 5 preference boards completely change which combinations score points. Your turn is simple: take a tile, pay its cost, and expand your garden following adjacency rules. But watch out – the key is anticipating the emperor's whims (which change every game) and blocking rivals' plans. In 40 minutes, you'll go from an empty plot to a masterpiece of strategic gardening. Pro tip: that seemingly useless tile might become the perfect endgame bonus!

## FAQ
### Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes! It scales well, though with 2 it's more 'everyone in their own corner' than aggressive blocking.

### Do you score during the game?
Nope! Scoring happens only at the end, keeping everyone guessing until the final tile.

### Are the tiles cardboard or wood?
They're sturdy cardboard with a finish that mimics stone texture – very thematic!

### Can kids play this?
From age 10 works fine. The concept is intuitive, but strategic planning is complex.

### Are there expansions?
Not yet, but the 5 different objective boards already offer tons of variety.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
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