Let's Play as Balinese Farmers in Spirits of the Rice Paddy

For a long time, Balinese culture has captivated the world's attention. Bali is famous for its dance, drama, sculpture and natural beauty. Since ancient times, Balinese people have used sophisticated irrigation systems to support their rice fields, combined with religious principles and social responsibility. It's inspiring developerr from Texas in concocting a board game unique.

They are APE Games, a specialist card-based game studio and tabletop which has been active since 1997. Utilizing crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, they introduce Spirits of the Rice Paddy. The game will pit you against other players to build and maintain rice fields. But why about farming? Think of Spirits of the Rice Paddy as a physical version as well as a mode multiplayer Harvest Moon.

Your job is not only farming. Farm animals can be used to build walls and move boulders, they can also eat harmful pests and fertilize crops. Then you need to fight the weeds so they don't damage the rice. Most importantly, water must be managed and saved properly. You are not alone, the spirits are ready to help players with magic and special abilities.

Presented in the form of a game board a la Monopoly or Warhammer, a Spirits of the Rice Paddy set consisting of a 12-page rulebook, main board, player board; there are a series of cards, walls, gates, workers, cattle; then there are pest blocks, weeds, fertilizers and others. It presents gameplay agriculture simulation, lovers only tabletop games.

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There is a reason why APE Games adopted the concept of spirits, or the game's term, Spirits. It comes in the form of a card, being a form of interaction between game with players. Spirits create puzzle unique, making Spirits of the Rice Paddy different every time it is played (even though it's not video game).

The Spirits card determines the player's turn to get water - the most valuable commodity in the game. The higher the number on the card, the greater the power. Playing with cards with large numbers has a powerful effect, but players with small cards are the first to get water. Water is needed to plant trees and rice.

Plus, you can hire workers and buy livestock, and don't forget to pay taxes. Spirits of the Rice Paddy runs for seven rounds, and the farmer with the most rice will be the winner.

Spirits of the Rice Paddy was created by Philip duBarry, who co-designed the game Revolution! and Courtier, from 2010. On page Kickstarter, game set tabletop these can be purchased for as little as US$40.