Wingspan (Review 3)
review by Chad
Welcome back, Gamers! As we approach the holidays, I decided to once again review a tried-and-true board game from years past to see if it’s still worth your time in 2025. Today I will be reviewing Wingspan, a board game that has “soared” in popularity since its release in 2019 and for good reason. For those not already familiar, Wingspan is a game that effortlessly combines competitive engine-building with a tranquil, nature themed setting. Your objective is to attract the best birds to your wildlife preserves (forest, grassland, and wetland habitats) to score the most victory points. You accomplish this by collecting food tokens, laying eggs, drawing bird cards, and activating the “powers” of the birds you’ve already played. The easy-to-learn game mechanics mixed with the tactically complex and diverse end games has attracted gamers of all skill levels over the years, and I’m here to tell you if they still hold up. Spoiler alert: They do.
The core engine-building mechanic is what makes Wingspan so compelling and surprisingly accessible. At the start, playing a bird in a habitat might grant you a simple benefit, like gaining a food token or drawing a card. As your preserves fill up, however, the action you take in a habitat will start to trigger a chain reaction that starts activating the powers of ALL the birds in that row. This means your engine starts out easy to manage and becomes increasingly powerful and efficient as the game progresses. This escalating power curve is extremely satisfying and rewards strategic planning. Crucially, the simple structure of the four main actions makes the game easy to teach and learn. Even those new to the hobby of modern board games can quickly grasp the fundamental loop, which then provides a segue into more complex strategic thinking. This accessibility cannot be understated when determining who this would be a great gift for this holiday season.
The game’s presentation is another major draw. The art style is nothing short of stunning and pleasant. Every one of the over 170 unique bird cards feature gorgeous, scientifically accurate illustrations. The game components are also top-notch, from the custom wooden dice to the tactile egg miniatures. The player mats and game board are clearly laid out, making it easier to track resources. I especially enjoy the bird feeder dice tower! This attention to detail and high production quality brings the experience from a mere game to an aesthetic, interactive pleasure. The combination of easy-to-learn mechanics and stunning visuals result in a genuinely relaxing and rewarding experience that compliments the strategic depth hidden beneath.
This unique blend of elegance, strategy, and beauty gives Wingspan my seal of approval, and has been a pleasure for my playgroup who assisted in testing. We are already planning the next game night where Wingspan will be the centerpiece. For anyone who already enjoys games, Wingspan offers a refreshing take on the engine-building genre. For the bird enthusiast, this game offers a valid reason to dip their toes into the hobby, with a rich enough experience that will bring most back for more. And to the gamers who are also bird enthusiasts, this is a MUST HAVE. If the art vibes of this game match the interests of you or a loved one, I highly recommend checking this one out for holiday gift giving this season. You simply cannot go wrong.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Should You Buy: Absolutely!
Wingspan is available now from our webstore.
