Harmonies

In your turn, you choose one of the five available sets of three terrain tiles from the central supply and place it on your personal board. Each terrain color scores in its own way: mountains score for height and for connecting to another mountain, rivers for length, trees for height, and forests for the variety in their surroundings. Optionally, you can take an animal card that requires a specific terrain pattern; once you have laid that pattern, you place an animal token from that card onto your board. You may hold a maximum of four animal cards at a time, and unfulfilled cards still score their highest uncovered value at the end. The game ends as soon as someone has two empty spaces left, after which the player with the most points wins.

Harmonies was one of the most talked-about games of 2024. It is often compared to Cascadia and Azul but distinguishes itself with its three-dimensional stacking and the dual scoring layer of terrain types and animal cards. Reviewers praise the card illustrations, the pleasant round tokens, and the relaxed yet strategically satisfying gameplay experience. A recurring point of criticism is the limited direct interaction—you largely build your own puzzle—and the fact that the available options can sometimes be unfavorable. Those who enjoy calm puzzle games with cute animals and colorful landscapes will find this to be one of the most beautiful and accessible titles of recent years.