Gnome Hollow Board Game Review

Gnome Hollow might have made waves because of its magnetic player boards, but don’t let that really cool new production idea take away from what is underneath – a really great tile laying game with some interesting mechanics that sets it apart. Although not everyone I played with was a fan of how this game played, I thought it was interesting and innovative, more so than I thought it would be!

On the surface, Gnome Hollow looks like a tile laying game. Honesty, that is what it is, as you place tiles to create longer and longer paths within the hollow, all connecting back to the central stump. As you create loops, you will gather up mushrooms into the centre of the loop, move player pieces on your board to collect bonuses and benefits, and ultimately, score points.

Ultimately, you have two things you are trying to do: create rings so you can move your player pieces and collect points and flower points; and second, you want to collect mushrooms that you can sell at the pinwheel market for, you guessed it, points!

What I love is this game has a bit of everything which some people are going to love, but others might not enjoy as much. There is tile placement by placing tiles. There is area control (kind of) when you are claiming rings and attempting to complete them. There is a market game where you are selling mushrooms; all of these mechanics, in my opinion, work really well in this game. Some may say this is everything but the kitchen sink experience, but I don’t see it that way.

Everything here has a purpose – this isn’t about putting a ton of ideas together and just putting it out into the wild. Everything here is obviously well thought out because everything works so well together.  And before you get concerned, I would say this is still a light weight, entry level game that will introduce great concepts used in other games.

I love the charm. Sometimes getting a new game to the table for my gaming group is a bit tough. The more charming a game looks, the more likely players are going to attach to it. And Gnome Hollow is brimming with charm and delight. The art isn’t going to wow everyone, and perhaps even turn off some, but the game looks amazing .

Ultimately though, as I stated before, this game just works so well together. Everything fits, nothing feels forced. Tile laying leads into moving player pieces on the player board for extra bonuses and points, which leads to collection of flowers. And all of this culminates into spending mushrooms for even more points. I love getting something and doing something every single turn. And turns are so quick. Generally in games where you lay tiles, I find myself with plenty of time to somewhat plan my next move before it’s my turn again. Not here. Once you’ve placed your gnome to save a loop in the hollow, your next few turns are basically set up for you. It’s about claiming your loop – and that makes the game go so quickly.

I love a quick game with great mechanics, and Gnome Hollow is that game. Again, another game that remains in the collection while other games leave it. Need a quicker game to offset game night? Gnome Hollow is the one for you!