Hey friends! Today’s post is all about Cascadia. The very first time I saw this game, I knew it was going to be a favorite, and I was right. It even became my birthday gift from my husband, so double love! In Cascadia, we travel to the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, building habitats with puzzle like tiles and matching animal tokens. It’s calm, relaxing, and absolutely beautiful to look at. One of those games that instantly puts you in a cozy, peaceful mood. Let’s dive in!
Cascadia (2021)
Into the game and to the Box
Cascadia can be played solo or with up to four players. It’s easy to learn and has a light complexity, making it suitable for ages 8 and up. The game flows smoothly and offers just the right amount of strategy without ever feeling stressful. It’s a tile laying and token drafting board game where you build your own ecosystem inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Players create habitats like forests, rivers, wetlands, and mountains, while carefully placing wildlife tokens to score points based on specific patterns and rules. A game usually lasts around 45 minutes to an hour and works beautifully for both relaxed sessions and more thoughtful, strategic play.
The artwork on the box and everything inside it is truly a masterpiece. I’m especially lucky because I own the Kickstarter Edition, which includes a small bonus expansion with five additional Wildlife Scoring Cards and an extra rule sheet. Aside from that, all editions come with beautiful habitat tiles, wooden wildlife tokens stored in a lovely green linen bag, and the main scoring cards. The components feel high quality, the artwork is soft and calming, and everything fits the peaceful, nature inspired theme of the game perfectly. Just opening the box already puts you in a relaxed mood.
How to play
Setup
- Each player starts with a small starting area made of three tiles, showing a mix of all five habitats (mountains, forests, prairies, wetlands, and rivers). Animal tokens are placed into a draw bag, and habitat tiles are shuffled into draw piles.
- To create the shared drafting area, place four habitat tiles face up in the center of the table and pair each one with a random animal token from the bag. Next, choose one scoring card for each animal type. For your first game, the A cards are recommended since they’re the easiest to learn.
- Once everything is set, you’re ready to begin.
On Your Turn
On your turn, you choose one tile and animal token pair from the drafting area.
- Place the habitat tile into your personal area, connecting it to your existing tiles however you like. You’ll usually want to connect matching habitats, since larger habitat areas score more points at the end of the game.
- Then, place the animal token onto a tile in your area that shows the matching animal icon. If there’s no valid spot, the token simply goes back into the bag.
After that, refill the drafting area with a new tile and a new animal token, and the next player takes their turn.
End of the Game
The game ends when all habitat tiles have been placed. Players score points based on animal scoring cards, the size of their habitat areas, and any unused Nature Tokens. The player with the highest score wins!
A quick note: Cascadia also includes a few additional rules that add flexibility and keep the game flowing, like special tiles, Nature Tokens, and an overpopulation rule for animal tokens. These mechanics give you more control when drafting and help prevent the game from getting stuck. I won’t go into all the details here, but they’re clearly explained in the rulebook and are easy to pick up as you play, especially after your first game.
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy to explain and quick to set up, with light rules but surprisingly thoughtful gameplay.
- Beautifully relaxing to play, with artwork and components that really enhance the experience.
- Includes a solid solo mode with different scenarios, making it enjoyable even when playing alone.
- A very satisfying puzzle experience where every choice matters, especially when a tile or animal token fits perfectly into your habitat.
- Animal scoring feels well balanced, so no single animal strategy dominates the game. This makes it easy to change plans as the game unfolds.
**
Keep in Mind
Player interaction is minimal. Most of the time you’re focused on your own personal puzzle, which can feel peaceful but might not suit players who want direct competition.
Because it’s so calm and gentle, it may feel a bit too quiet for groups looking for high tension or constant interaction.
POV
Cascadia is one of those games I go to when I want to slow down and just enjoy the moment. Every turn feels calm and thoughtful, like working on a little puzzle just for yourself. I love how quiet the table gets, everyone focused on their own ecosystem, yet still sharing that peaceful vibe together. It’s comforting, relaxing, and never stressful, even when you’re thinking a few moves ahead. For me, it’s a game that always feels good to play, whether it’s after a long day or during a cozy game night. If you enjoy beautiful games that let you think, relax, and create something satisfying, Cascadia absolutely deserves a place in your collection.
Until next time, happy gaming!
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