• Il était une fôret
  • Il était une fôret
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There was a forest

There was a forest

€14,90 EUR
€14,90 EUR
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2 to 4 players 30 min 7 years and up

Immerse yourself in nature and become the architect of a tropical forest with "Il était une forêt" (Once Upon a Forest). In each game, you build trees section by section, populate the canopy with animals, and ensure ecological balance.

The game combines management, tactics, and interaction — you develop your own forest while influencing those of other players. Simple to learn, quick to play, and deeply thematic: an excellent choice for nature lovers and fans of accessible strategy games.

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How to play?

Game Setup

Each player receives a "Forest Start" card to begin their first column.

The remaining cards (featuring tree trunks, animals, chainsaws, etc.) are shuffled and divided into 5 face-down piles, identifiable by the level indicated on the back.

Each player draws 3 cards to form their initial hand.

Gameplay outline

In your turn, you play a card from your hand into your forest, either to complete a tree in progress, or to start a new one (provided the previous column is complete). 

Then, you give a card from your hand to an opponent of your choice: they must play it immediately in their forest. This aspect introduces interaction and allows you to disrupt your opponents' plans.

Then you draw 2 more cards to return to 3 cards in hand.

These turns are repeated until all cards have been played. 

Win/Loss Condition

At the end of the game, each player counts their points:

  • +3 pointsfor each complete column (tree) (root to canopy).
  • -1 pointper incomplete column.
  • +1 pointper animal species,if and only ifthe number of individuals of that species exactly matches the number of complete trees in your forest.
  • -1 pointfor each chainsaw present in your forest (symbol of degradation).

Our Tips for Winning

  • Choosing the right time to start a new tree

    Only open a new column when you have good cards in hand — starting too early can result in chainsaws or incomplete columns, and therefore penalties.

  • Fine-tune the management of animal species

    To validate animal points, each species must have a number of individuals exactly equal to the number of complete trees — avoid spreading animals across too many different species.

  • Use the "give a card" mechanic wisely

    When you pass a card to an opponent, choose carefully: a card that is beneficial to you could slow down an opponent or force them to play a chainsaw.

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FAQ – All about Once Upon a Forest

Can you play it alone?

Yes – the game offers a single-player mode, ideal for building your forest solo

Is there an educational/ecological aspect?

Yes – the theme of the forest, wildlife, biodiversity and the notion of ecological management are present; it is a game that raises awareness of the challenges of forest balance

Does the luck of the draw make the game too random?

There's a bit of luck involved, but the card-trading mechanic (giving cards to opponents) adds a lot of strategy. This "luck + tactics" mix makes each game different.

Is the game suitable for children / families?

Yes — simple rules, short duration, accessible material, nature theme — ideal for a family audience or for introducing younger players to strategy games.