Wingspan Review: Is Wingspan the Future of Gateway Board Games? | Calli’s Corner

Hello! I’m Calli, showing you a very basic overview of this bird board game, and then my Wingspan review and my thoughts on just why this game is so beloved and what kind of trends in upcoming gateway board games we may see as a result of this game’s popularity.

I’m proposing that Wingspan’s success marks a change in the way we think about gateway board game design. Like other gateway games, the gameplay is not super complicated in that players only have 4 options to choose from on their turns. The gameplay may not be revolutionary, but something about this game just hit all the right notes! It creates such a great EXPERIENCE of play, that I think we could see more new gateway board games that follow in its footsteps. Gateway games that put more into producing high quality components, as well as a focus on art, story and theme.

What did you think of Wingspan? Was it right for you, or your friends and family? Let me know in the comments below!

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[meenki]

I'm so happy that you have a bit of a speech impediment! I had a stroke a few years ago and I developed a speech impediment too. However, before my stroke I did a boardgame review channel too. But I'm so happy to see you doing your show. If you can do it? I can do it again too. Thank you for being an inspiration to me!
As for Wingspan. I'm a boardgame hobbyist but my wife doesn't care for boardgames. But she agreed to try Wingspan due to its theme. You know, birds.
I played Wingspan and I found it meh. But I'm quite interesting in getting back on the table for a game with the wife.
As far as a Wingspan trend. The game could just as easily be rethemed for trees or any Peterson Field guide. Even dinosaurs, cars, airplanes or frankly anything. Again, thanks for inspiring me. Subscribed

[Rybotech]

Great Video! Thanks for the analysis!

[mosheglick]

thus is a realy great video, you explained it fantastic. hope to see more videos

[matthewjeffery]

Good job on the video, exactly the explanation I was looking for, trying to introduce it to (hopefully) future board game fans!

[wsiegel]

Great analysis on Wingspan Calli. I don't understand the hate from some Hobby gammers. I am a hobby gammer and love this as a fun gateway game. New people always love this game. I also break out Takenoko as another great production gateway game that's fun to play. And to have a woman designer in the community to win so many awards out of the gate is a great thing! Have you looked at Mariposas? I'm excited where the hobby is going. Thanks

[adriang]

Great Video. You've got me interested.

[cantrip]

I've played Wingspan once. Wasn't too impressed, but I'd play it again. I got 2nd place out of five players, but I had the Least Fun Tableau, and I felt bad for the bottom 3 with cool combos that apparently weren't as good as having a bunch of big birds with no synergy. And something about playing a bird and having to wait a turn to use it feels awful. Reading bird facts was fun, but it was very obvious to me the game is a cold, hard points machine. I guess it isn't as immediate or emotionally evocative as I was hoping, and it's not simple and passive enough for me to chill out to, stranded between my preferences. Even though I'm pretty into hobby board games, I'm crossing my fingers for a Wingspan Kids that's quicker & sillier.