Fort, designed by Grant Rodiek and published by Leder Games, is a quirky deckbuilding game where players are kids competing to build the coolest fort. With its lighthearted theme and colorful art, it’s a charming entry into the world of card games. However, while Fort’s mechanics are unique and fun at first, its limited replayability and somewhat shallow gameplay leave it struggling to maintain long-term interest. The expansions add some flavor but don’t entirely fix the core issues.
Childhood Nostalgia, Boldly Illustrated
Fort brings back memories of childhood friendships and backyard adventures. The game’s theme of collecting pizza, toys, and friends is delightfully nostalgic. The art by Kyle Ferrin is vibrant and engaging, perfectly capturing the whimsical nature of the game. Each card brims with personality, making it easy to connect with your motley crew of Best Friends and other kids.
The components, including chunky tokens and well-designed player boards, are of high quality. The clever use of the Yard to showcase unused cards adds a unique visual and functional element, emphasizing the theme of kids playing together. Despite its charm, the theme doesn’t feel deeply integrated into the gameplay, leaving some interactions feeling more mechanical than thematic.
While Fort’s presentation is undeniably attractive, its reliance on theme to carry the game can only do so much when the gameplay doesn’t fully match the excitement.
Gameplay: Deckbuilding with a Playground Twist
Fort puts a unique spin on deckbuilding by introducing mechanics like the Yard, where unused cards can be stolen by opponents. Players balance building their forts, collecting resources, and recruiting new friends. Key mechanics include:
Follow Actions: Players can copy the leader’s public action by discarding matching cards, creating opportunities for engagement.
Resource Management: Pizza and toys are used to upgrade your fort and score points, adding a light economic layer.
The Yard: Unused cards go to the Yard, where other players can recruit them, adding a layer of tactical decision-making.
While these mechanics are novel, they don’t evolve much over the course of a game. The decision-making can feel repetitive, and the strategic depth is limited. The expansions help by introducing new cards and rules, but the core gameplay remains relatively static.
Cute but Constrained
Fort shines in its accessibility. The straightforward rules and quick playtime make it a great choice for families or casual gamers. Its whimsical theme and engaging art ensure that first impressions are positive, but these charms wear thin over repeated plays.
Interaction between players is a highlight, with the Yard and Follow mechanics creating moments of tension and strategy. However, the gameplay loop can feel shallow for more experienced gamers. The randomness of card draws and limited paths to victory can leave players feeling boxed in.
Replayability is Fort’s Achilles’ heel. While the game is enjoyable for a few sessions, its lack of depth makes it unlikely to hold attention over time. The expansions add variety but don’t address the underlying issue of repetitive gameplay.
Final Reflections: Fun for a While, but Not Forever
Fort is a charming game that offers a fresh take on deckbuilding, but its limited depth and replayability prevent it from being a lasting favorite. It’s a solid choice for casual game nights or as an introduction to the genre, but it struggles to keep pace with more robust offerings.
Who is this game for? Families, casual gamers, and fans of lighthearted themes will enjoy Fort. Hardcore strategists may find it lacking.
Final Rating: 6.5 out of 10
The Bottom Line: Fort is a cute and quirky deckbuilder that entertains in small doses but lacks the replayability to be a long-term favorite.
Check our Rating Scale here.
Want to check more? Take a look at the videos/reviews below:
- Watch the “How to Play” video on YouTube
- The Dice Tower Review
- Read the rulebook here.
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