Harmonies

On your turn, you choose one of the five available sets of three terrain discs from the central supply and place it on your personal board. Each terrain color has its own scoring rules: mountains score based on height and proximity (three layers high yield seven points, but only if they are adjacent to another mountain), rivers score based on length, trees score based on height, and forests score based on environmental diversity. Optionally, you take an animal card that requires a specific terrain pattern: once you have placed that pattern, place an animal piece from the card onto your board. You may hold a maximum of four animal cards at a time; empty cards are scored at the end based on the highest uncovered value. The game ends when a player has only two empty spaces left, and the player with the most points wins.

Harmonies was one of the most talked-about games of 2024, achieving an impressive BGG score of ~8.0/10. It's often compared to Cascadia and Azul, but distinguishes itself through its three-dimensional stacking mechanic and the dual scoring layer of both terrain types and animal cards. Reviewers praise the exceptional card artwork, the tactile quality of the round discs, and the relaxed yet strategically satisfying gameplay. A common criticism is that the game offers little direct interaction—players largely construct their own puzzle independently of others—and that the market can sometimes be unfavorable. For those who enjoy serene, puzzle-like castles in the sky full of cute animals and colorful landscapes, Harmonies is one of the most beautiful and accessible titles of recent years.