PARKS Game Rules

Hey there! So, you’re interested in playing PARKS, huh? Well, buckle up and get ready for an adventure in nature like no other! Let me walk you through the game rules so you can jump right in and start exploring the great outdoors.

First things first, PARKS is a game all about experiencing the beauty of national parks. Each player takes on the role of two hikers traveling across the country, visiting different parks, and collecting memories along the way.

To begin, you’ll need a game board featuring a trail that represents your hiker’s journey. This trail is divided into four unique seasons, each with its own set of actions and features. You’ll also have weather dice, gear cards, trail tiles, and resource tokens to enhance your gameplay.

During each round, you’ll have the opportunity to take actions based on the season. These actions include collecting resources, visiting parks, and even acquiring gear cards that provide special abilities. The goal is to gather as many memories as possible throughout the game, which will be represented by beautiful photo cards.

When it’s your turn, you have some options. You can move your hiker along the trail, collecting resources like suns, water drops, and trees. These resources come in handy when you visit parks, as they allow you to overcome their specific challenges and earn extra memories.

Speaking of parks, each one holds its own unique beauty and surprises. You’ll draw park cards and place them on the trail tiles to represent your hiker’s visits. Some parks offer ample resources, while others provide special abilities or immediate rewards. Each park has its own way of captivating you, making every visit a chance for discovery.

But be mindful of the changing seasons! As you progress along the trail, the seasons will change, bringing new challenges and opportunities. It’s essential to plan your moves carefully so you can make the most of each season and gather memories effectively.

Remember, the player with the most memories at the end of the game wins! So, explore as many parks as you can, collect resources, and strategize your moves wisely to secure your victory.

Ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature? Gather your gear, pack your curiosity, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking world of PARKS. Happy hiking!

When it comes to the game components, you’ll find the following pieces inside the box:

– 1 Tri-fold board

– 2 Token trays

– 48 Park cards

– 10 Season cards

– 12 Year cards

– 36 Gear cards

– 15 Canteen cards

– 10 Hikers

– 5 Campfires

– 1 Camera

– 1 First Hiker Marker

– 15 Forest tokens

– 15 Mountain tokens

– 9 Event cards

– 10 Trail Sites

– 1 Trailhead and 1 Trail End

– 30 Sunshine Tokens

– 30 Water tokens

– 12 Wildlife tokens

– 28 Photos

Now, let’s talk about the objective of the game. The main goal is to explore and enjoy the park. You’ll take on the role of a hiker and go on various trails, collecting photos and experiencing different events along the way. The more photos you collect, the higher your score will be. But be careful! There are limited resources, and you need to manage them wisely to succeed. So, get ready to embark on an exciting adventure and make the most of your time in the great outdoors!

Hey there! Wanna go on an adventure? Well, get ready because I’m about to take you on a thrilling journey as we become hikers exploring different trails throughout the year. Exciting, right?

Every trail we encounter represents a different season, and as we progress, the trails get longer, offering new challenges and surprises along the way.

Here’s how it works: each of us takes turns sending one of our hikers down the trail. As we hike, we’ll come across stunning sites and get to perform special actions at each stop.

Now, when one of our hikers reaches the end of the trail, they can trade in tokens they’ve collected to visit parks and earn valuable points. Our ultimate goal is to have the most points at the end of the year, which we can earn from our parks, photos, and personal bonuses.

Getting Started

Setting Up the Board and Getting Resources

Alright, let’s get started! I’m going to tell you how to set up the game board and the token trays. It’s super important to do this right so that everyone can play smoothly.

First things first, grab the board and put it in the middle of all the players. Make sure it’s in a spot where everyone can see and reach it easily. Now, take the two token trays and place them on either side of the board. You want them to be within easy reach of all the players. Oh, and don’t forget to put the lids back in the box!

Each tray is used to hold different types of tokens. These tokens are important because they make up the supply for the game. You’ll also find some Photos in the trays. So make sure everything is organized and ready for play!

Parks

Let’s start by preparing the Parks deck. Take all the Park cards and give them a good shuffle. Then, place them face down to form the Parks deck. Now, deal three cards from the top of the Parks deck and put them face up in the slots on the board. Finally, take the remaining Parks deck and put it on the designated area on the top right of the board.

Gear

Now, we move on to the Gear cards. Just like before, shuffle all the Gear cards really well. Make sure they’re all facing down to form the Gear deck. Next, deal three cards from the top of the Gear deck and place them face up in the bottom Gear slots on the board. Finally, take the remaining Gear deck and put it on the designated area on the bottom right of the board.

Canteens

It’s time to distribute the Canteen cards. Start by shuffling all the Canteen cards. Once they’re all mixed up, place them facing down. Now, deal one card face up to each player. This card will be their starting Canteen. Lastly, take the remaining Canteen deck and put it in its proper place on the top left of the board.

Year

Lastly, we’ll work with the Year deck. Shuffle the Year cards thoroughly. Once they’re all mixed up, deal two cards to each player. Each player then chooses one card out of the two as their Personal Bonus for the Year. Discard the other card by placing it face down. Now we’re ready to begin our adventure in the great outdoors!

Hey there! Let me tell you about these cool cards that give you rewards based on how well you did in the game. You’ll keep them face-down until it’s time to score them at the end. For your first game, each player gets one card. Any extra Year cards go back in the box.

Seasons

We shuffle the Season deck and put it on the board in the Season area. Then, we flip over the top card to start the first Season.

Setting Up the Trail

Let’s get started by setting up the trail for the first season. First, I’ll place the Trailhead Site tile all the way on the left side. Then, I’ll separate the five Basic Site tiles (Forest, Mountain, Valley, Ocean, Vista) from the four Advanced Site tiles (these are the ones with an asterisk in the bottom right corner).

If we’re playing a game with 4 or 5 players, we’ll also add the Waterfall Site to the Basic Sites. If not, we can put it back in the box for now. Next, I’ll shuffle the Advanced Site tiles and mix one of them in with the Basic Sites to form the Trail deck.

We’ll place the rest of the Advanced Sites facedown to the left of the Trailhead. Now, it’s time to shuffle the Trail deck (which includes the Basic Sites and one Advanced Site) and reveal one Site at a time directly to the right of the Trailhead.

So here’s the deal: You gotta place each new Site to the right of the previous one, making sure they’re all face up. At the end, you put the Trail End to the right of the last Site. Oh, and don’t forget to keep the Trail End the right way up, not on its SOLO side. And just like that, you’ve got yourself a Trail for the first Season!

Pick Your Colors!

Hey there! Let’s get ready to hit the trails with a game of Hikers. Here’s what you need to do:

First, grab two Hikers of the same color for yourself and place them on the Trailhead. Make sure they’re both the same color! Then, take a Campfire that matches your Hiker color and put it on the lit side right in front of you. Got it?

Now, let’s figure out who goes first. The player who most recently took a hike gets the First Hiker Marker. And the player to their right gets the Camera. Any extra Hikers and Campfires can go back in the box for now.

Time to Start a Season

There are four Seasons in this game, which means four rounds of play. Each Season changes things up a bit, and it ends when all the Hikers reach the end of the trail. Before we begin, let’s see how this Season will affect the game and if there’s anything we need to do right away.

Hey there! Take a look at the weather pattern for the season. It’s right down there in the bottom right corner of the card. Now, let’s get ready to hit the trail!

Starting from the 2nd Trail Site, you’ll see some tokens on the Weather Pattern. Take those tokens and place them on each Site of the Trail, moving from left to right. Keep doing this until you reach the end of the Trail. And voila! You’re all set to start!

#image.jpg

Let’s Take Turns!

When it’s my turn, I get to go first because I have the First Hiker Marker. I can choose one of my Hikers and move them to any Site on the Trail that’s to the right of where they’re currently located.

Once my Hiker lands on a new Site, I get to do whatever action that Site has. After I’ve taken my turn, the next player, who is sitting to my right, takes their turn. We keep going around the table like this until the Season is over.

#image.jpg The green player decided to move their Hiker down the Trail and stop at the Wildlife Site, so they can take that Site’s action.

If a Site is already occupied by another Hiker, even if it’s one of mine, I can’t go there. But don’t worry, I can still visit that Site if I use my Campfire.

When I’m hiking and I come across a new site, something magical happens. If I have a token from the Weather Pattern, I get to keep it as a bonus! Not only that, but I also get to take the site’s action. It’s like a double win for me!

But here’s the thing – in order to visit a site, I need to be able to take its action. That’s the rule. Fair enough, I say.

Let’s talk about some of the basic trail sites that you can find along the way. We’ve got the Forest, the Mountain, the Valley, the Ocean, and the Vista. Each of these sites has its own unique charm and beauty, just waiting to be discovered.

Now, if you’re up for a little challenge and want to take your hiking game to the next level, there are also advanced trail sites. One of them is the Waterfall, but be warned – it’s only for the more experienced hikers out there, rated as a 4+. It’s like the ultimate test of your hiking skills!

So, as you explore the trails, keep an eye out for these amazing sites. And remember, if you’ve got a token from the Weather Pattern, you’re in for a special treat. Happy hiking!

Wildlife Sanctuary #image.jpg

Cozy Lodge #image.jpg

Scenic Lookout #image.jpg

Tranquil River #image.jpg

I can spend 1 water to do the same action that someone else is doing at another place where there’s a hiker.

Note: The end of the trail is not a place you can copy.

Icons Explained

Wildlife Sanctuary:

a place where animals are protected and can live freely.

Cozy Lodge:

a warm and comfortable place where you can rest and relax.

Scenic Lookout:

a high point that offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Tranquil River:

a calm and peaceful body of water.

When it comes to wildlife, there are 12 unique types, each with its own size and shape. But no matter the species, one thing remains constant: they are wild! In this context, the term “wildlife” is used to refer to any animals found in nature. Whether big or small, they all have the power to captivate and inspire us.

Wildlife tokens are incredibly versatile. They can be used in a number of ways, such as visiting parks or capturing breathtaking photos. Their presence adds an extra dimension to any outdoor adventure. However, it’s important to note that wildlife tokens have limitations. They cannot be used in canteens or towards purchasing gear. They are meant to enhance our experiences in nature, not to be tamed or controlled.

Symbolic Representation

If you see a brown square icon, you can use any word you like. The number inside the icon shows you how many words to use.

Word Count

Hey there! So, let’s talk about tokens in this game. You know, those little things we carry around with us? Well, guess what? You can actually only have a maximum of 12 tokens at a time. Yep, that’s right! If you end up with more than 12 tokens at the end of your turn, you gotta get rid of some. It’s like a rule or something.

Doing Stuff

Drinking Water

When you get a Canteen card, put it facing up in front of you on the side with the picture of a park. To use a Canteen, you can fill it with a resource on your turn and then take its action.

To fill a Canteen, take a resource you gained on that turn and place it on the Canteen instead of adding it to your supply. Then, you can do the action that is listed on the Canteen. It’s important to note that you can only fill a Canteen with a resource that you gained during that same turn.

You can have as many Canteens as you want, and you can fill multiple Canteens on a turn if you gain multiple resources. Once a Canteen is filled, the resource stays on it until the end of the Season and can’t be used in any other way.

Now, let’s talk about photos and the camera in the game.

When you play certain Year cards, you need to take some Photos. To take a Photo, you have to give back two tokens of your choice to the supply when you choose the action at the Vista. Each Photo is worth 1 POINT. After taking a Photo at the Vista, you get the Camera from the person who currently has it.

Hey there! When you’ve got the Camera, things start to get exciting! If you choose to take a photo, it’ll only cost you 1 token instead of 2. And guess what? When the season wraps up, if you’ve got the Hiker, you can snag a photo at a lower price with your Camera. Cool, right? Keep in mind that some Gear cards let you take photos in places other than the Vista, but they won’t give you a Camera. So, be sure to make the most of your opportunities!

Campfires

It’s my turn, and I really want to go to The Valley, but there’s another Hiker already there. So, I decide to use my Campfire to share the Site and get its benefits.

Sometimes, the place you want to go is already taken by another Hiker. Whether it’s another player or even one of your own, you can still visit that place by using your Campfire. Just flip it over to the extinguished side.

If your Campfire is extinguished, you can’t visit a place that is already occupied. It doesn’t matter if it’s another Hiker or even one of yours. Don’t worry, though. Your Campfire will light up again when one of your Hikers reaches the end of the trail.

When You Reach the End of the Trail

As a hiker, when I reach Trail End, it’s a special moment that allows me to pause and think about my journey. It’s a place where I can take a breather, reevaluate my progress, and plan for the next leg of the adventure.

When I arrive at Trail End, the first thing I do is relight my Campfire if it has gone out. It’s a small ritual that symbolizes the continuation of my journey and provides a sense of comfort and security.

But Trail End is more than just a resting spot. It’s also a place where I can choose the next area to explore. There are several options available to me, each offering its own unique set of challenges and rewards.

Reserve a Park

When you want to reserve a Park, you have three options. Just choose one of the Parks on the board or draw a card from the top of the Parks deck. Take the Park card and place it facing up horizontally in front of you. Make sure to keep it separate from the Parks you’ve already visited, which are stacked vertically.

If you reserve a Park from a board slot, another Park will be revealed from the Parks deck and placed in the empty slot. This way, there will always be three Parks available on the board. When it’s time to visit a Park on a future turn, you have the choice to visit one of your reserved Parks or one of the three Parks on the board.

Hey there! So, here’s the lowdown. When you’re playing this game, the first person to put their Hiker in this specific spot gets a cool bonus – they snag the First Hiker Marker. And where’s this spot, you ask? Well, it’s in the far right slot. Pretty sweet, right?

Hey there! So, here’s the scoop on the game Parks. First things first, let me tell you about Reserving Parks. Once I’ve done that, I’ll fill you in on how to Buy Gear. Sound good? Great!

Reserving Parks

Now, pay close attention. After this, any number of players can still Reserve Parks here, but they won’t gain the reward. Oh, and by the way, the First Hiker Marker is worth 1 POINT at the end of the game. Cool, huh?

Buy Gear

Gear is super handy on your journey. It gives you extra benefits at Trail Sites and makes it easier to visit certain Parks. Interested? Here’s what you need to do. Place your Hiker on the BUY GEAR area to buy Gear cards.

Exciting news! There are three awesome Gear cards available on the board. Choose one and pay with Sunshine (yep, the park currency) equal to its cost. Easy peasy, right? Now, here’s the important part. Gear cards have ongoing abilities to help you on your adventure. And guess what? Some even have an extra special action that you can use right away. How cool is that? Make sure to place the Gear face up in front of you so you can use all of its abilities to their max potential.

When only a few of us are playing the game, if I’m the first one to buy gear, I can put my Hiker on the slot that doesn’t have a number 4 or higher. This lets me enjoy a discount of 1 Sunshine on the gear I’m buying.

So, here’s the deal. Once I’ve made my decision and bought some Gear, the other players can join in and get their own Gear too. But, here’s the catch – they don’t get the discount that I just snagged. It’s a bummer for them, but hey, that’s how the game works.

In games with 4 or more players, there’s an extra opportunity. The last slot on the right opens up for two Hikers. And guess what? Each of those lucky folks gets a 1 discount on their Gear card. It’s like a little bonus for being quick on the draw.

When you play with Gear cards, you’ll notice that they all have special powers that stay with you throughout the game. However, this particular card is unique because it not only has an ongoing ability but also a special action that you can take to earn a Canteen card when you buy it.

Take a Trip to the Park

When you want to Visit a Park, you have the freedom to choose any of the available Parks on the board or one of your Reserved Parks. Simply return the corresponding tokens from your area back to the supply.

Once you’ve made your choice, take the Park card and position it vertically in your score area. The points indicated on the Park card will be tallied up at the conclusion of the game. Parks can be neatly stacked, displaying both their resources and points. And whenever a Park is visited on the board, a new Park from the Parks deck is uncovered and placed in the vacant spot.

End of a Season

Hey there, when my two Hikers reach the Trail End, we no longer take turns for the Season. When only one of my Hikers is left on the Trail, I have to move them to Trail End and make a choice there. This is when the Season comes to an end, and if I have the #image.jpg, I can take a #image.jpg. To start a new Season, I follow these steps:

• I empty all #image.jpg by returning their #image.jpg to the supply.
• Then, I return all my Hikers to the Trailhead.

When it’s time to start a new season on the trail, there are a few important steps to follow. First, gather all the trail sites, except for the trailhead and trail end. Then, add in an extra advanced site and mix them up. This will create the new trail for the upcoming season. It’s important to note that the new trail should be one site longer than the previous season’s trail.

Next, take the previous season card and place it at the bottom of the season deck. Then, reveal the new season card from the top of the deck. This will determine the weather pattern for the trail, just like before.

Now, it’s time for the first turn of the new season. The player who has the “Last Hiker On The Trail” token gets to take this coveted position. They will be the one to kickstart the adventures on the trail for the season.

With these steps in mind, you’ll be all set to embark on an exciting new journey on the trail. Happy hiking!

Hey there! When there’s just one Hiker left on the Trail, it’s time to make a move. You need to take that Hiker and bring them straight to the Trail End, where you’ll get to pick an action. This is a great strategy to use if you want to limit another player’s time on the Trail.

Here’s a tip for hiking: Make sure you use your Campfire wisely. It can make a big difference in how much time you spend on the Trail and whether or not you get to visit certain Sites.

The Game Comes to a Close

Once the fourth Season wraps up and we gather for a group photo, it’s time to call it a game. Here’s how we figure out who reigns victorious:

First, all players unveil their Year cards and tally up points from their Parks, Photos, and Personal Bonus for the Year. And don’t forget: the player with the Year card gets an extra point!

Whoever ends up with the most points when everything is said and done is declared the ultimate champion of Parks!

If there’s a tie, we dig a little deeper. The player who explored the most Parks takes the win. But if that’s still not enough to determine a winner, the glory is shared among the tied players.