Photosynthesis

Number of players: 2–4 Players
Playing time: 30–60 Min
Complexity: 2.26 / 5
Age: 10+

About the game
In Photosynthesis, players cultivate competing forests as the sun travels around a central board. Plant seeds, grow saplings into towering trees, gather light, cast shadows across the forest, and harvest mature trees at the right time to earn the most points.

Each round begins with the Photosynthesis Phase, when the sun shines across the forest from a new direction. Trees generate Light Points based on their size: small trees produce one, medium trees produce two, and large trees produce three. However, trees blocked by shadows do not receive light, so your own growing forest—and your opponents’ trees—can reduce the energy available to others.

During the Life Cycle Phase, spend Light Points to buy seeds and trees, plant new seeds, grow trees through their life stages, or remove a mature large tree to collect a scoring token. Trees closer to the center of the board earn more valuable scoring tokens, but central spaces are also more contested and more vulnerable to shadows.

The sun completes three revolutions around the board, creating 18 rounds of changing light patterns. After the final revolution, players total their scoring tokens and remaining Light Points. The player with the highest score wins.

Photosynthesis is a visually striking strategy game of spatial planning, resource management, timing, and tactical shadow placement.