Tapestry, the “engine builder” where players try to build the best civilization, has been attracting a lot of attention for ages. Tapestry is not only a great game, but it is also a lot of game. The cute and detailed little buildings and many boards, cards and other colorful components quickly fill the table. There are numerous different types of civilizations that players can start the game with, and there is a very rich combination of different cards and strategies that actually make each game wildly different. It’s not enough, though. The players always want more and Stonemaier obediently obliges. Besides the first expansion Plans & Ploys, which mainly offers more variation and a nice drafting element, the second expansion Arts & Architecture offers a whole new experience.
Arts & Architecture offers new modules to add to the base game. The expansion includes new Tapestry and Technology cards as well as new Draft cards (the mechanism the first expansion added). The big hit is the art track which enriches the game as a fifth track. Just like art in real life, you can only appreciate this track later, because by using this track you earn bonuses that are especially visible in the longer term. For example, you can earn bonuses that allow you to earn more resources, victory points, or other tools during your income phase, and you can even improve your income track.
In addition, the expansion also contains a number of advanced capital cities with which you can replace the capital cities from the base game. These cities are asymmetrically designed and provide players with different bonuses and features.
Arts & Architecture is again a must for fans of Tapestry. The already so varied game now contains even more variety. This variation also provides more choices so that a game of Tapestry can sometimes last a lot longer than usual. Especially with larger players it is a must to let players play their turn partly overlapping to make the game run smoother. The expansion also contains a lot of new houses to increase your collection of small plastic houses. From all the game components you can almost weave a ’tapestry’, hehe.
