Fountains Board Game, Competitive Tile-Laying Strategy Game, Stunning Art Nouveau Aesthetic, 1-5 Players, Unique 3D Stacking & Drafting, Family & Gamer-Friendly, Ages 10+, 30-45+ Min Play Time

Fun game, and a new favorite in solo mode
I ordered Fountains because of it’s solo player option with the expectation that it would disappoint, as many games have for me lately. I play games a lot more than the rest of my family, so I’m often trying to find that single player holy grail of gaming. Unfortunately, too many games claim to offer that capability but fail at it. This, however, is not one of them. It remained fun from start to finish for me and challenged me without ever feeling overwhelming. It also requires a personal strategy that takes some time to build, which I prefer in games.The mechanics of the solo player mode are the same as the multi-player modes, for the most part, though some of the point earnings are tweaked, and you’re playing against a “machine” that has set rules for moving and a much easier time gaining points than you do. That actually made it a bit more difficult for me than playing with others, which I sometimes prefer.Learning the game looked like it would be complicated on initial reading of the instruction manual, but after referring to it a few times during play, I discovered that the game was actually much simpler than it looked, and I no longer needed the manual minutes into play.One thing to note about the solo version of the game: The machine is represented by a cardboard “gear” token that moves around the board. The manual and box depict this gear as sliding over some of the pieces, but it’s too small to even fit over the “heads” of those pieces. Genuinely, I’m glad that it isn’t as depicted, as getting it off to continue the gear’s movement would be more cumbersome than it is when it serves as a pseudo-crown. I’m not sure if this was an error or on purpose, but it’s better, so I’m mentioning it but not deducting anything from my rating for that discrepancy.Quality-wise, the game is impressive. The fountain pieces are made from thick foam rather than cardboard, which makes them easier to grip and place. The manual is made from some sort of coated paper that resists staining (though it doesn’t prevent ripping). The artwork and design of the pieces is nicely done, adding value to the game without making it seem congested. The pieces that are typically moved are wooden and comfortable to grip, and the box is even decorated on the inside, which adds an elegant feel that fits in with the “fountains” theme.All of that is excellent, but what impressed me most was the built-in storage, which not only keeps everything separated but allows me to store the game on its side without everything jumbling together. I’ve never seen anything like this done before, and I absolutely love it. The bottom of the box is imprinted with a map for how the game pieces should be placed, and a grid you construct easily from thick cardboard pieces is inserted over the map. The grid is sturdy, fits without wiggle room, and is tall enough to hold everything securely in place without making it difficult to remove the pieces when you need them. The game is a good value without the organization, and a downright bargain with it.I’m impressed with everything about this game. I love it, and have no doubt it will remain one of my favorites for years to come.