PASSPORT TO FUN: This Summer's Sizzling New Casual Games

From a quaint festival in Portugal to impending doom in ancient China, or from the peaceful tranquility of a Japanese garden to the tarmac of the Montréal airport, the new casual board games of the summer of 2023 read like a captivating travel brochure

- Andrew Lupp

But hold on to your sun hat. Although your journey holds a treasure trove of casual games for solo play, date night, and family gaming, several will test your patience, skill, and nerve like an endless line at the security check-in. So please have your I.D. and boarding pass ready we explore this summer's sizzling new games! 

BONSAI 

1-4 players | ages 8+ | 40 minutes 202 

Take a deep breath, boil a cup of tea, and focus on becoming a true bonsai master in this calming, family weight tile-laying game. Each turn, players may meditate by choosing a face-up card and the wood, flower, leaf, or fruit tiles below it to add to their personal supply. Players may also use their collected tiles to cultivate their tree by adding tiles from their supply to their evergrowing bonsai tree. If at any time a bonsai tree fulfills the requirements of any unclaimed goal tiles, a player can claim that tile or renounce it to attempt an even higher goal. During play, Helper, Master, and Growth cards will aid your vocation and special Parchments give you end-of-game points. As the sun sets on the game, points are scored based on the tiles that comprise each player's tree. A truly enlightening experience.

CHICKEN!

2-8 players | ages 8+ | 10-20 minutes.