Parks Solo Mode Review - with Mike DiLisio

[@Tarryk]

Mike, your spirit in solo gaming truly mirrors my own. I love all your reviews, and you've just sold me on this one. Thank you.

[@douglasgenesis3393]

instablaster...

[@CollectionTHX1138]

Out of playing 20 solo games I'd give it an 8/10 maybe even 9. I sets up and tears down quickly. The gametrayz insert is pretty well designed. I only play with one token tray since that's all that's needed. The addition of the Park Ranger Tracker (weather tracker accepts weather pattern tokens is how I might think about it) and the event deck is well thought out. It can be noted the top row always affects movement and the bottom row resources. You really do have to keep your eye on it. I've jumped ahead and taken weather tokens away late game because the ranger event effect might be more detrimental than skipping a site tile. Sometimes the events aren't detrimental such as Hazardous terrain if they already have the first hiker marker (that's the rulebook calls it but I'll cal lit first player marker as you did) or you have or don't need mountains. I also keep my eye on the Gear cards. I may want to buy one before it could be covered up on the Rangers next turn. The solo Trail End tile rules I found confusing at first for the top slots, As did I the Ranger movement. The issue lies with terminology for me. Once it was explained by the designer on BGG I understood my assumptions were incorrect. I solo all of my games and most often play virtual players as players attempting to win that turn so it's snot always an AI. This is a rare game that has additional solo-specific components. I had it in my head what the rules meant before I understood what they meant. I haven't played this game multi player. But have seen it played and I think the solo mode is well done. I hated Rangers at first. But once you understand their effect then it works well. I always play with green rangers I'm not sure why I haven't seen a video that uses green since that's what most park rangers wear lol I plan on uploading a solo gameplay vid.

[@lisa-gentlepaws5383]

I didn’t find the solo rules clear... totally missed that you use the equipment deck for ranger movement and the icons on the end trail were tricky to decipher. This was very helpful thanks!

[@sarahchapman7941]

Speaking of "relaxing games" this one would be near the top of my list. It's lovely and feels like a satisfying solo experience when I want something light and breezy.

[@marcymarc1981]

One thing I have to commend the designer/publisher for is the fantastic insert!

[@matthewbosse9176]

You explained it way better than the game publisher did, big respect thanks.

Thank you very much, Mike! That ws very helpful!

[@joburg71]

Thank you from Austria...

[@deadly_embers_6296]

Great job Mike. Do you have any other recommendations for multiplayer, attractive games, which can be played solo? I like solo games with win conditions.

[@argusettempusludicus6997]

Thanks for this amazing video. Will there be a playthrough? 😉

[@robslote5278]

Mike, I noticed that you have the parks/gear card on the trail…is this correct? Further, do you have the option to purchase the gear showing at trail end from the Ranger flipping for spaces (but you can purchase for gear. They of course change with each turn of the Ranger).

[@xshadowscreamx]

A good starter Worker placement game.

[@garys4067]

Is there a way to play PARKS solo with the Nightfall expansion?

[@KarenSDR]

According to the company's reply to this question on amazon, the answer is yes. I don't have Nightfall, but I'm considering it, and I only play solo.

[@TheWBWoman]

I should have ordered Parks last week. It's sold out until September.

[@intrepidmeeple7353]

One of the games I would love to play but is out of stock everywhere! Seems like a common problem with too many games just lately.

[@ratguy69]

They had a Kickstarter not long ago for the expansion. There was an option to pick up the base game with it.

[@CollectionTHX1138]

They're reprinting it. It will be re-released later this year. They have a kickstarter expansion called Night Fall you can order the base game. The expansion the Year bonus deck. Edit: yes what Ryan said lol

[@benlauson555]

Hardcore tattoo creeping out!

[@alecgalbraith5604]

Was great all the way up until I saw that it’s a beat your own high score. Bummer.

[@Dukefanblue2005]

Alec Galbraith there is a solo Automa in the files section...boardgamegeek.com/filepage/196268/ranger-ron-solo-automa

[@KarenSDR]

There's a fan-made solomode on boargamegeek called Ranger Ron where you're trying to beat a bot. For me, I find beat-your-own-score to be more thematic. When I go hiking in real life, I'm not trying to win a hike against somebody else. But I might want to go farther or be stronger than I was the last time I did it.

[@anthony2507]

You could just play a solo game as if you were playing two person, this would solve the problem. You be the CPU.