Lacuna

Having a bout of norovirus sweeping through the household and with several of our Christmas plans cancelled, we endeavour to continue our marathon. As it happened, Patient Zero and Patient One were both quarantined together for a significant portion of the day. This led us to Jack(.8.) and I playing…

Game 9 of our “Fantastically Festive Christmas School Holidays 2023 Marathon” is “Lacuna”, played with Jack (.8.)

Not to be mistaken for “Lorcana”, the recent Disney TCG we examined a few months ago.

“Lacuna” is a simple strategy game for two players. Players lay out a cloth representing a pond at night and scatter wooden flowers over its surface. Each player starts by choosing a randomly coloured flower from their collection. The aim is to select pairs of coloured flowers with a clear line of sight between them, ensuring no other flower or obstruction blocks the view. After identifying such pairs, players place their markers between the two chosen flowers, pick them up, and add them to their collection. This continues until both players have placed all six markers and acquired 13 flowers each.

The game’s true strategy emerges in the second phase. All remaining flowers are given to the player with the nearest marker. Thus, while collecting flowers initially, players must strategically position their markers to optimise their flower collection in the subsequent phase. After distributing all the flowers, the player with the most points emerges victorious. The game is simple, relaxing, quick to set up, and quick to play.

The component quality is outstanding. The game’s cloth is of excellent quality. The wooden tokens are well-made, although I did receive one misshapen token. The metal tokens are aesthetically pleasing, though distinguishing between gold and silver under dim lighting can be challenging. The game is housed in a stylish tube, which doubles as a shaker for the petals. Additionally, spare flowers are provided, a thoughtful touch.

Both Jack and I thoroughly enjoyed “Lacuna”. Its brief playtime suggests it’ll be a regular choice for quick gaming sessions. While its rules are straightforward, mastering the strategy requires effort. One critique is that going second appears advantageous, as laying the last token can lead to significant swings. This observation may change with more plays, but it’s worth noting.

For enthusiasts of simple, aesthetically pleasing abstract games, “Lacuna” is lovely. It would make a delightful gift, even for those not particularly fond of board games. While it may leave some desiring more depth, it’s a delightful game with a few minor flaws.

At £24.99 or your regional equivalent, I believe it offers good value for money.