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When it comes to family game nights, board games are a top pick. From simple card games to intense strategy titles, there is no shortage of ways to spice up a Friday evening. An option fans of simulation titles may want to consider giving a shot is Life in Reterra, a community-building game filled with vibrant illustrations. It is a delightful, easy-to-run title perfect for friends and families with older kids.
Key Details
- Developers: Eric M. Lang and Ken Gruhl
- Publisher: Hasbro
- Where to Buy: Hasbro Online Store|Target
- Cost: $29.99 USD
- Age Range: 10+
- Number of Players: 2-4
- Review Copy: Yes
Intimidating at First Glance, But Quick To Learn
Life in Reterra pits up to four players against each other as they work to rebuild society after the apocalypse. Using land tiles, the community “rebuilders” must erect a 4×4 space filled with buildings, relics, and energy sources.
When first opening the box, I was a bit intimidated by Life in Reterra. As a tabletop fan with severe ADHD, the more pieces are in a game, the more difficult the learning curve tends to be. However, as my partner and I began popping the buildings into their respective containers, I was surprised to see how well-organized everything was. The game’s directions do an excellent job of explaining the purposes of each piece, how to run a simple format game, and how to expand on that base set of rules with more options for a diverse and replayable experience. I was hooked instantly.
Turns are wonderfully simple. Take a land square, fix it where you would like in your community, add buildings or people onto Gear spaces when possible, and then throw junk at your neighbor if you have the correct building up and running. The quick turns keep players engaged and add a sense of urgency as you rush to beat your opponents to the limited building pieces.
A Wealth of Options Are Available For Life in Reterra
While Life in Reterra encourages players to use their starting rules for the first few rounds, the possibilities are endless once the rules are learned. Three separate sets of building cards, which include front and back building options in each set, add diversity to gameplay that keeps each session fresh. The game also includes a special sheet in the rulebook where players can jot down their favorite building combinations for another playthrough.
Additionally, we tried the game in a two-player and four-player setup over several different sessions and found that experiences were different with these groups. The two-player session felt less competitive, with the casual gameplay ensuring we had time to learn the rules. The four-player setup was more intense, with limited resources and a battle for the best land tiles.
Life in Reterra reminds me of the game Calico, where players can create the atmosphere they would like to have during game night. I also enjoyed that it requires more thought and strategy than games like Lanterns.
Perfect for Older Kids and Friend Groups
The box makes it clear that this game is for players ages 10 and up, and we couldn’t agree more. The rules are just complicated enough that anyone under the age of ten may struggle with the concepts. This is the perfect pick for families with teens who enjoy survival or simulation entertainment options. It is also a fantastic choice for parties of adults looking to have fun, blow off some steam, and laugh.
The only thing that would make Life in Reterra more fun is if extended content was added through expansion packs. I would happily pick up any new sets for the game if it meant more ways to horde relics or outsmart my neighbors for the most points.
Final Score – 8/10
Life in Reterra is a fantastic game for players who enjoy challenges, puzzles, and strategies. If you are looking for a very casual game, this may not be the best pick. The upbeat spin on a post-apocalyptic setting, and the beautiful illustrations, are a nice change of pace from gritter games with darker themes. We had an absolute blast playing through Life in Reterra and I look forward to introducing my entire family as I pack it with me to every game night for the foreseeable future.
** A physical review copy was provided to Bonus Action for the purpose of this review**
If you enjoyed this review, check out our coverage of these amazing Critical Role t-shirts, or the colorful controllers from FUNLAB.
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