Lanterns: The Harvest Festival
- Designer Christopher Chung
- Publisher Foxtrot Games , Renegade Game Studios , Broadway Toys LTD , CrowD Games , Devir
- Illustration Christopher Chung , Alexey Kot , Beth Sobel
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players decorate a palace lake with floating lantern tiles, each depicting different color patterns. When placing a tile, all players receive lantern cards matching the colors on the tile edges facing them. The goal is to collect sets of lantern cards to earn honor points, combining hand management, pattern building, and tile placement in each turn.
Who Is This Game For?
This family-friendly game suits 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. With a playtime of about 30 minutes, it fits well into shorter game sessions. The rules are easy to learn, making it accessible to casual players and those new to board games. It offers light to moderate complexity for abstract strategy fans.
How It Works
Players take turns placing lantern tiles (Tile Placement) around a central lake. Each tile placement grants all players lantern cards (Hand Management) corresponding to adjacent colors. Players collect sets of these cards (Set Collection) and form patterns (Pattern Building) to score honor points. The player with the most honor at the end wins.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Christopher Chung, Lanterns won the 2015 Mensa Select Award and earned several nominations including Golden Geek Best Family Board Game. It blends simple mechanics into an accessible yet strategic family game with a distinctive Chinese harvest festival theme and elegant pattern-based gameplay.
Awards
2015
2015
- 2016 SXSW Tabletop Game of the Year — Nominated
- 2015 Cardboard Republic Socializer Laurel — Nominated
Pro
- Short playtime of about 30 minutes
- Easy to learn with clear rules
- High player interaction through shared card collection
- Winner of the 2015 Mensa Select Award
Contra
- Supports only 2-4 players
- Limited complexity for experienced gamers
- No solo mode available
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is themed around a traditional Chinese harvest festival where artisans decorate a palace lake with floating lanterns. It draws from Chinese cultural and festive elements.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on collecting sets and consider how your tile placements affect card distribution for all players.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Lanterns requires at least two players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
Games typically last around 30 minutes, suitable for quick play sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
The game is family-friendly and easy to learn, requiring no special prior knowledge.
How does this compare to similar games?
Lanterns uniquely combines hand management, pattern building, and tile placement in an abstract family game with a Chinese theme.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, recommended for ages 8 and up with simple mechanics ideal for family play.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of hand management, set collection, and tile placement creates its strategic appeal.
Fazit
Lanterns is recommended for families and casual gamers seeking a quick, interactive abstract strategy game. Its short duration and easy rules make it a great entry point for new players.
