Disclosure: Meeple Mountain received a free copy of this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This review is not intended to be an endorsement.
Flower Power
The quest to find the perfect post-dinner two-player game with my wife is never-ending. Non-dueling games that are quick and adorned with a cute theme naturally get plucked from the bunch, and Floristry checks those flowery boxes. Floristry is a tile-laying, first-of-its-kind two-player Dutch auction game by David Gordon and TAM, inspired by the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, the world’s largest flower market. The beautiful floral art is by Mari Tan and published by UP Games.
Stem the Competition
Players take on the roles of rival flower shops, bidding to draft tiles and cultivate the most blooming beautiful shop arrangement. Played over ten rounds, the game uses a web-based app to track money and run the auctions. After ten rounds, players score the largest bunch of each flower type, along with any unspent money. The highest score petals past the competition to flaunt their floral fiefdom.
Dutch auctions flip traditional bidding on its head, with prices wilting over time. Players have fifteen seconds to lock in their purchase, with the price dropping every couple of seconds. The player who clicks first pays for three of the four tiles, leaving the second player with the last tile for free. Much like other tile-laying games, pieces must be placed orthogonally and cannot be replanted once set. Grouping the same flower tiles is the key to cultivating a high-scoring, blossoming arrangement.
Floral Notes
Auction games aren’t usually my preferred mechanic, though I do have a soft spot for Ra. However, Floristry’s Dutch auction adds a nice drizzle of tension while still keeping the flower-picking cozy. The two aromatics feel balanced, as the game of bidding chicken doesn’t overshadow the planting phase and vice versa. As the tiles come out, so do the tactical decisions. Is it worth spending the max bid (of five) to prevent your opponent from boosting their bunches, or should you save money for more fertile opportunities?
I found the unspent money scoring particularly interesting. Extra points are awarded based on the difference between the two players, meaning a frugal spending habit can sometimes lead to a bonus payout! With only thirty dollars available, it’s impossible to bid aggressively throughout all ten rounds, turning the auctions into a delicate push-pull dance of responsible spending. We experimented with different bidding strategies and didn’t find a dominant approach, which speaks to the game’s balance. Players who typically shy away from auction games may be hesitant at first, but the quick and snappy gameplay is persuasive.
Aside from the bidding, the tile-laying is straightforward, reminiscent of Patchwork, Kingdomino, and Isle of Cats. The moveable frame is a clever touch, allowing players to adjust their build area and create more flexibility in placement. The production quality is top-notch: the tiles are thick and sturdy, and the chunky cat pieces (Parfait and Tapioca) used as scoring markers add a fun feline flair.
One drawback is the reliance on the web app, which, while functional, can be a bit frustrating. I accidentally refreshed the webpage mid-round, resetting the whole game. Since the app is required for gameplay, this could be an issue in areas with poor internet access and requires regular updates for newer operating systems.
Floristry is a beautifully designed, quick-playing two-player game that blends bidding and tile placement into an enjoyable and approachable experience. Whether or not you’re a fan of auctions, the game offers enough strategy, interaction, and charm to keep Floristry engaging. The fast and breezy gameplay leaves you wanting to plant another round.
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