Wingspan

Wingspan is an engine-building board game focused on birds and wildlife conservation. Players are bird enthusiasts building wildlife preserves by attracting different bird species into three habitats: forest, grassland, and wetland. Each bird provides unique abilities that help create powerful combinations and resource-generating engines.

Gameplay is structured around placing birds into habitats to trigger actions such as gaining food, laying eggs, or drawing more cards. Over time, players build increasingly efficient ecosystems where birds synergise to produce stronger turns. The game rewards optimisation rather than direct interaction between players.

A key strength of Wingspan is its accessibility combined with strategic depth. While the rules are relatively simple, the variety of bird powers and combinations creates meaningful decision-making throughout the game. The presentation, featuring realistic bird illustrations and educational flavour text, adds an additional layer of charm.

Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games, Wingspan has been widely praised for its innovative theme, inclusivity, and calming gameplay experience. It has won multiple awards and spawned several expansions.