Flatout Games has done it again behind their design team of Fertessa Alysse, Joseph Z Chen, Randy Flynn, Dylan Mangini, and illustrated by Beth Sobel. Cascadia Junior introduces the younger kinder to a beautifully illustrated nature game featuring a similar style to the original Cascadia game.

It’s a great tile laying game that introduces kids to a choice-based game that allows them to decide how they want to collect bonuses. Like Cascadia, you can get habitat bonuses or animal bonuses.

However, unlike the other versions, there are two differences related to pine cones. You don’t know the number of pine cones you have until the end of game when you flip over your bonus animal and habitat tiles. The person with the most pine cones on the backside of your bonuses is declared the winner.

The rules and goals are much simplier than the other Cascadia games, which is to be expected. Game time takes about 30-45 minutes and doesn’t take long to explain the mechanics.

Overall, no one should get bored playing this version. It allows player choice and unique player decisions without presenting too many overwhelming options especially for newer or younger gamers.

Check out Flat Out Games’ Cascadia Junior game description game here.

Some Quick Thoughts

The group I played with featured no players in the target market. We also don’t have any kids in that range either. However, we do enjoy lighter games at times and never say no to trying something new.

If you aren’t a parent yourself, this is a great game to share if you have younger extended family members or in a community group setting like a church game night.

My group prefers the Cascadia Rolling Hills and Cascadia Rolling Rivers (the two roll and write games in the Cascadia world) but we will definitely play this version again. This is a great game when you need a mental break after playing a heavier or longer game on game night. Likewise, it’s a great game to start the night with while waiting for the rest of your group to show up.

If you’ve played Cascadia Junior, let me know your thoughts below. It’s a great game for the entire family.

If you don’t own it, I hope you go support your local FLGS and pick it up soon. I don’t know for certain but it wouldn’t be shocking if Cascadia Junior is in the PAX East game library this weekend in Boston.