Have you ever dreamed of planting tulips under a windmill?
Not to sell flowers.
Building something that stands the test of time. Turning mechanisms, sparking ideas, testing strategies. Feeling the sweetness of a click under your fingers as a gear unlocks unexpected possibilities.
Coming this August to FroGames.it , this strategic board game transports us to the Netherlands in 1891, to a valley teeming with mills, bulbs, markets, and intelligence. And it doesn't just give us tiles or cards: it gives us time to build.
Dani García: The Designer Who Builds Worlds, Not Just Games
Dani García is no ordinary author. He's Spanish, from Barcelona, and he's an author who has chosen to stand out without shouting.
- He is the creator of Barcelona , where you build a city inspired by the layout of the Eixample. He is also the author of Arborea , a management game with a spiritual and environmental tone. Other titles include Daitoshi and Neko Syndicate , examples of the variety and originality of his style.
But before all this, he was an artist. A graphic designer, illustrator, 2D and 3D modeler. And every game he created is tangible: it can be seen before it's even explained .
“I've been working for more than 15 years creating art … Now I'm also working as a Game Designer.”
A simple sentence that explains everything: his games are art conceived as an experience.
A touching detail: Dani publicly shared that he has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). He did so with strength and transparency, receiving
a wave of
affection from the community. This makes each of its
creating not only a game, but
a statement of beauty and time that matters.
Why Windmill Valley? Because right there, right there.
The title is no coincidence. Windmill Valley is inspired by the real Dutch valleys where, for centuries, windmills have reclaimed the land and tulips have colored the crop rotations.
- The Double Gear Washer isn't just a mechanic: it's the heart of the game. It physically turns. You can feel it under your fingers. And every click is a choice, a block, an opportunity.
- The mills you build on the board are not decorations : they open routes, influence markets, activate points of interest.
- Bulbs aren't just resources: they're late-game seeds, points that bloom in due time.
What people actually do in Windmill Valley (without making the rules list)
Each turn, you move your wheel. And you activate a secondary wheel.
Choices double, movements intertwine, steps become breaths.
You can:
- Build mills, which give you income and open new routes
- Plant tulips, in different varieties and colors, to maximize flowering
- Buying domestically or trading abroad
- Choose helper cards and contracts, which define your personal engine
It's a management board game with a light set of rules, but rich in choices and interlocking elements. You can ignore trade and focus entirely on agriculture. Or do the opposite. You can play it safe. Or take risks.
And all this, in 45-90 minutes , with always different matches.
But the beautiful thing is... you feel it
The Washer isn't an abstract disc. It's physical. It rotates. It clicks . It locks into place. Every time you touch it, the game speaks to you . Not with words. With mechanics that make sound.
This makes it not only strategic, but immersive . Some have called it "Momma's First Euro" : an entry-level game for strategic minds, a gentle introduction to engine building.
And we say: yes. But don't stop there.
The solitary is a gardener who watches you
Yes, Windmill Valley also has a solo mode . And it's not a cut version: it's a real game.
The bot doesn't copy your actions. It follows its path on the wheel, makes believable choices, and forces you to think .
Perfect for those looking for a solitaire board game that isn't a mathematical puzzle, but a silent, coherent, elegant opponent.
Who is Windmill Valley for?
- A game for those who love modern titles where the theme isn't just a pretext, but the true driving force of the experience. It offers strategy in a short time (less than 90 minutes!), is perfect for introducing new friends to Eurogaming... and every now and then, it's simply nice to play something that runs really well. Inside and out.
One click at a time
Windmill Valley arrives on FroGames.it in August , ready to make your table spin with sweetness, intelligence and a pinch of mechanical poetry.
Because sometimes a click isn't a noise. It's a
declaration of intent.
You'll like it if you love...
- Elegant strategic board games like Barcelona or Arborea
- Games where the theme is integrated into the actions
- The smart yet tactile mechanics (à la Cascadia )
- Solo experiences are not punitive but profound
https://frogames.it
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