Continue if you are looking for games like Takenoko and are curious about what similar games to play next. Players will cultivate land plots, irrigate them, and grow one of the three species of bamboo with the help of the Imperial gardener to maintain this bamboo garden. They will have to bear with the immoderate hunger of this sacred animal for the juicy and tender bamboo. The player who manages his land plots best, growing the most bamboo while feeding the delicate appetite of the panda, will win the game.
To determine this list we broke down Takenoko to what it is. This is an area control and development game that is at the light to medium intensity level. With the help of an adorable panda, you need to use your limited decision making to choose the best investments to get ahead of your opponents. If you are looking for something similar, you have come to the right place. We took all this into consideration and came up with this list of the 5 board games like Takenoko.
FOR MORE: How To Play Takenoko | Buy Takenoko on Amazon
#05 | Alhambra
Alhambra makes the list of games like Takenoko because this is another tile laying development game. This is a bit heavier but still at that light to medium intesity level and is certainly also at a high quality level. Here you need to compete to build the most valuable picturesque walled city in 13th-century Granada.
The best master builders in the whole of Europe and Arabia want to demonstrate their skill. Hire the right people and have the right mix of the four monies. Because no matter whether they are stonemasons from the north or horticulturalists from the south, they all want a proper wage and insist on their “native” currency. With their help towers can be constructed, gardens laid out, pavilions and arcades erected and seraglios and chambers built. For 2 – 6 players, games last about 45 – 60 minutes.
FOR MORE: Alhambra Page | Games Like Alhambra | Buy Alhambra on Amazon
#04 | Keyflower
Keyflower makes the list of games like Takenoko because you are also fighting over space in this tile laying game. Instead of moving around some adorable workers you will need to compete in a unique auction system to build the most prosperous village. You will need to build as you go and make the best developments to win.
Each player starts the game with a “home” tile and an initial team of 8 workers being 1 of 3 colors. Workers of matching colors are used by the players to bid for tiles to add to their villages. Matching workers may alternatively be used to generate resources, skills and additional workers. Throughout the game, players will need to be alert to the opportunities to best utilize their various resources, transport and upgrade capability, skills and workers. For 2 – 6 players, games last 90 – 120 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Keyflower on Amazon
#03 | Tikal
Tikal makes the list of games like Takenoko because everyone is working within a communal area to make the most out of your chosen spaces. Here you need to explore the jungle and dig up monuments and treasures to edge out your competition. The acquisition is different but you are working within similar area control constraints.
This is a game of exploration within the Central American jungles in search of lost temples and the treasures within. Players send their team of explorers into the jungle, exposing more and more of the terrain. Along the way, you find temples that require further uncovering and treasures. Players attempt to score points for occupying temples and holding onto treasure. For 2 – 4 players, games run 90 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Tikal on Amazon
#02 | Ceylon
Ceylon makes the list of games like Takenoko because it is basically all the same gameplay elements except here you are working the 19th century tea game. There is a set grid and all players are trying to stake their claim on different pieces and develop them into something that is going to drive set collection. You are establishing your infrastructure to develop new technologies for better tea operation.
Players take on the role of the pioneers who developed the Ceylon tea industry. As such, they build plantations in different districts and at different altitudes. They produce tea and try to sell it to the most important export companies. To favor this task, they must win the favor of the counselors of each district and develop the necessary technology that allows them to get ahead of their competitors. For 2 – 4 players, games last approximately 60 minutes.
FOR MORE: Buy Ceylon on Amazon
#01 | Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King takes the top spot on the list of games like Takenoko because it is also a tile laying game that is about staking your claim and building it up into something that will help you and not your opponents. Instead of of working in a bamboo field, here you are building your kingdom as Chieftain one tile at a time and rule all of Scotland.
Players are chieftains of famous clans and want to build their kingdoms to score as many points as possible—but in each game only four of the sixteen scoring tiles will be scored. You will need to use different tactics and strategies, but having enough money is always useful. Each turn, each player places two area tiles in front of them and sets the selling price for the tiles. Setting a high price is great, but only so long as someone actually pays the price because if no one opts to buy, then the seller must buy the tiles at the price they previously requested. For 2 – 5 players, games run 30 – 50 minutes.
