Hedge Mage
Hedge Mage at your next game night?
Add Hedge Mage to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Connor Wake
- Publisher Floodgate Games
- Illustration Josh Nelson
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You simultaneously build hedge mazes with polyomino pieces while maneuvering mages to steal rival gnomes and protect your own. The game pairs Tile Placement and Variable Set-up with Movement Points and Moving Multiple Units on a grid. Simultaneous Action Selection creates tense interactions as you gain movement from placement and use it to trigger enchantment cards. The game ends when all hedge cards are revealed or a player rescues all rival gnomes, then scoring determines the winner.
Who Is This Game For?
For players who enjoy spatial puzzles and tight interaction: Hedge Mage suits experienced hobbyists who like planning and simultaneous decisions. With a roughly 45-minute duration it fits an average game night and rewards players comfortable with polyomino placement and tactical movement. Newcomers to grid-based puzzles may need a few rounds to feel confident.
How It Works
Each round players place polyomino tiles simultaneously (Tile Placement, Variable Set-up), shaping their own and opponents' mazes. Clever placement grants Movement Points, used to move multiple units across a grid (Grid Movement, Moving Multiple Units). Simultaneous Action Selection means choices resolve in parallel, increasing the importance of anticipating others. The objective is to use movement and pick-up-and-deliver style actions to awaken and collect gnomes before the end condition.
What Makes It Special
Designer Connor Wake fuses polyomino maze-building with tactical unit movement (Movement Points). The simultaneous tile placement and movement create a hybrid of puzzle and confrontation. This marriage of Maze construction and Pick-up and Deliver elements sets Hedge Mage apart from pure placement or pure area-control games.
Pro
- Unique mix of polyomino Tile Placement and Grid Movement
- High player interaction through Simultaneous Action Selection
- Compact 45-minute playtime fits many game nights
Contra
- Simultaneous placement and polyomino mechanics require practice
- May challenge players with weaker spatial visualization
Setting & atmosphere
The theme centers on garden magic and hedge mazes where small mages animate and contest garden gnomes. The setting frames the spatial puzzle as a competitive horticultural duel.
Tips for beginners
Start with conservative placements and focus on managing Movement Points to reduce early mistakes and learn interactions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. Hedge Mage is designed for 2–4 players (players.min = 2).
How long does a game really take?
Listed duration is about 45 minutes; expect more time for setup and first plays.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with polyomino puzzles or grid-based games helps, as the game relies on spatial planning and simultaneous choices.
How does this compare to similar games?
Hedge Mage blends simultaneous Tile Placement with tactical unit movement, combining Maze-building with Pick-up-and-Deliver style objectives.
Is this suitable for families?
Limited: without a minimum age specified it leans toward older children and adults due to tactical and spatial demands.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Polyomino Tile Placement and Grid Movement (with Moving Multiple Units) is the defining mechanic.
Fazit
Hedge Mage is a concise tactical blend of polyomino puzzles and movement tactics for 2–4 players. Recommended for groups that enjoy simultaneous decisions and spatial planning; less suited for those seeking minimal rules or very casual family play.
Hedge Mage at your next game night?
Add Hedge Mage to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Hedge Mage to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
