Lumicora

The game lasts 10 rounds; each round you first place a Lumino tile from your display into the central atoll, after which you can choose: take limestone, take tiles of a different color, or take a tile from your own display. Chosen tiles are placed on your personal board, with each Lumino having to be adjacent to a tile of the same color if present, and empty water squares costing limestone. After each round, you may optionally score one coral color — the sooner you do this, the more limestone you get back. For each scoring, only the lowest value of that color per level counts. The player with the most points at the end wins.

Lumicora immediately stands out with its atmospheric illustrations and well-crafted components—the reef that grows on the table is a feast for the eyes. The three-dimensional element visually distinguishes the game from other tile-laying games, and its connection to the Global Nature Fund gives the purchase extra meaning. The game plays best at family weight: the timing of when you score a color is the central tactical question and leads to a concrete decision each round. Anyone who enjoys calming, visually satisfying puzzle games in the style of Cascadia or Azul will find Lumicora an appealing choice.