For me, sending postcards is an important part of a trip or holiday, just like buying an ugly magnet. Postcards are a way to share your journey with loved ones and friends, and to let them know you’re thinking of them, even while you’re having all sorts of fun experiences. It’s a delightful moment during the holiday: after many impressions and adventures, sitting down in a local café to write by hand as many stories and texts as possible on the back of the card. In the game Postcards, players cycle through France and try to send as many postcards as possible. The player with the most thrilling journey wins.
In Postcards, players travel through France. They cycle, camp, collect and send postcards. During the game, they gather souvenirs and gifts for bonuses. Players earn points by camping and sending cards, and at the end of the game, they can also earn points for their route and collected gifts.
During their turn, players may play three cards from their hand. These cards can be used for actions (based on the symbol on the card played) and/or to stick stamps on the postcards they wish to send (based on the colour of the card played).
Players can take the following actions: 1. Cycling (moving to an adjacent region), 2. Camping (placing a tent in an empty spot in their region and possibly activating a bonus on one of their postcards by collecting a souvenir), or 3. Picking new postcards from the supply.
Postcards are placed face down in front of the players. Here, they can see how many stamps they need to stick and in which colours, and which souvenirs they can earn by camping in the right places. Souvenirs often grant bonus actions or points. By sticking stamps, you can send the card and earn points and a gift, but you may only send a card if you are in the correct region.
In the past, little Danny would sometimes go camping with his parents and sisters. We didn’t go on holiday often, but when we did, it was usually to northern France. I have especially fond memories of Normandy. Later in life, I’ve obviously visited other parts of France and sometimes go to Paris for work, but really I haven’t seen nearly enough yet. That needs to change, because I love travelling, cheese, nature and sending postcards. Luckily, Postcards now gives me the chance to experience this.
Thematically, this family game is extremely well put together. The design is sleek, inviting and atmospheric. Especially through the illustrations on the postcards, you truly feel like you’re in France. It also helps that one of the player pawns (specifically the green one) looks a lot like me: a long beard, a passion for cycling and even a crate on the bike. Postcards is a charming family game where players can happily tour France. It’s clearly a light game, not an expert one, so it has a simple structure, clear actions and quick rounds. Thanks to the combination of gameplay, theme and atmosphere, the game is accessible, but it’s also rewarding because players feel like they’re achieving something during their journey through France. By cleverly combining souvenirs, postcards and gifts, players can perform multiple actions and earn bonuses. Despite its simplicity, the game contains enough tactics and insight for a ‘lighter’ game.
