Tend
Tend at your next game night?
Add Tend 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 Max Anderson , Zac Dixon , Austin Harrison , Toby Sarnelle
- Publisher IV Studio , IFROM Games
- Illustration Kelly Nakamura
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 play a pioneer working for the Zenith corporation to establish a homestead on a new alien world. Tend uses a shared deck of action cards that all players use simultaneously to mark their personal sheets. As the game progresses, new cards are added to the deck, changing the available actions for everyone. Victory points come from badges, seasonal objectives, neighbor bonuses and filling your Cargo Manifest.
Who Is This Game For?
Suited for experienced hobby players: Tend requires planning and adapting to changing action options. With an approximate 90‑minute playtime it's aimed at game‑night sessions rather than quick filler games. A solo option (1 player) makes it accessible for solo hobbyists.
How It Works
Tend is a Flip‑and‑Write with Simultaneous Action Selection: all players use the same action card deck and perform actions on their individual sheets at the same time. Chaining and Grid Coverage matter for building your farm and collecting goods. Action/Event effects and new cards entering the shared deck drive evolving tablewide choices.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison and Toby Sarnelle, Tend blends flip‑and‑write mechanics with a sci‑fi farming theme (Zenith corporation). The shared deck that grows during play alters available actions for everyone, creating dynamic decision moments. Chaining and grid coverage are central mechanical features.
Pro
- Shared action deck that evolves during play adds dynamism
- Flip‑and‑Write combined with Grid Coverage and Chaining offers tactical depth
- Playable solo and up to 6 players
- Sci‑fi farming/mining theme provides distinctive setting
Contra
- Around 90 minutes can be long for a flip‑and‑write
- Layered mechanics require some learning time for newcomers
Setting & atmosphere
Set on a new extraterrestrial planet where pioneers for Zenith build farms and settlements. Themes include farming, mining and collecting goods to send back to Zenith HQ.
Tips for beginners
Focus on a few clear goals early (e.g., badges or cargo) and pay attention to how new cards change the shared deck before diversifying your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. Tend is listed for 1–6 players and therefore includes a solo option.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 90 minutes; setup and learning may extend that on first plays.
What prior experience do I need?
Tend leans toward a hobby/experienced audience; familiarity with flip‑and‑write helps but isn't required.
How does this compare to similar games?
Tend stands out by combining flip‑and‑write with a shared, growing action deck that changes options for all players over time.
Is this suitable for families?
Minimum age is 14; it's better suited to families with teens or experienced family players due to complexity and length.
What mechanic makes it special?
The Flip‑and‑Write core plus Simultaneous Action Selection and a changing shared deck define its gameplay.
Fazit
Tend is recommended for players who like deeper flip‑and‑write experiences with evolving shared options. If you prefer very short or simple family games, the ~90‑minute length and layered mechanics may feel demanding.
Tend at your next game night?
Add Tend to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Tend to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
