BoardGame Verdict
83

Finspan is an engine-building board game where players take on the role of marine researchers collecting and breeding a variety of aquatic life across different ocean zones. Designed in the style of the popular "Span" series, the game challenges players to optimize card abilities and tableau development to observe the most impressive array of fish. It features a robust solo option and competitive play for up to five players.

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83

The Verdict

based on 66 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Negative 0%
Streamlined, easy-to-learn gameplay and rules.
Engaging fish and ocean diving theme.
Beautiful artwork on fish cards and player boards.
High replayability with diverse cards and strategies.
Satisfying engine-building loop.
Limited meaningful player interaction.
Less enjoyable at higher player counts due to downtime.
Components and resource tokens can feel lackluster.
Requires significant table space.
100
Board Game TipsArticleTop List

“We like Finspan so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists.”

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95
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews, Ryan and BethanyVideo

Ryan and Bethany highly recommend Finspan, praising its streamlined gameplay, ease of learning and teaching, and overall fun, even preferring it over the original Wingspan.

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95
Game Boy Geek, LouVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Finspan, praising its beautiful artwork, quality components, ease of learning and teaching, engaging mechanics, and excellent solo mode.

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95
Big Boss Battle (B3), Matthew SmailArticle

“For players who already enjoy Finspan, the Sharks and Reefs expansion is an easy recommendation. It deepens the game without complicating it, expands the card variety, strengthens solo play and adds tactile new elements through the reef boards and coral tokens all of which I felt was additive to the game without any unnecessary faff.”

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95
Board Game Gumbo, Alex GoldsmithArticle

“Our buddy, Alex Goldsmith...returns to Gumbo Live! to give us the Gumbo Scoop all about one of the hottest games on the planet, FINSPAN from STONEMAIER GAMES!”

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95
Zatu Games, GrahamArticle

“Finspan is all of the fun without the fiddliness. For that reason, it is easy to recommend both to gamers new to the Wingspan system and for those who would appreciate a more streamlined experience.”

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90
GamesReviews.com, Adam RoffelArticle

“That mechanic alone makes Finspan so compelling, and why it’s a game I recommend for both new and experienced board game players.”

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90
The Fandomentals, Dan ArndtArticle

“Finspan may also be the best entry point to the Wingspan family thanks to how intuitive it is. It’s a joy to simply play through and discover each fish as you go.”

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90
MarcoOmnigamer, MarcoOmnigamerVideo

MarcoOmnigamer highly recommends Finspan, praising its streamlined gameplay, ease of introduction for new players to the 'Span' series, and the fun, unique fish theme. He notes it offers as much enjoyment as other games in the series but with a smoother experience.

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90
3 Minute Board Games, J Carmichael and S RodgersVideo

The reviewer considers Finspan a solid, streamlined engine-building game, highly recommending it as a very accessible entry in the 'Span' series, though it's ranked as their second favorite behind Wormspan due to a preference for more complexity.

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90
Should I Buy This Board Game, Should I Buy This Board GameVideo

The reviewer expressed strong enthusiasm for Finspan, highlighting its intuitive mechanics, engaging theme around fish and ocean, and the satisfying progression of hatching eggs and forming schools. They particularly enjoyed the strategic card interactions.

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90
Board Game Animal, Board Game AnimalVideo

The video features an enthusiastic discussion with designer Jamey Stegmaier, who highlights Finspan's unique mechanisms, such as personal discard piles, a dynamic 'living board' with moving tokens, and positive player interaction, noting its quicker pace compared to previous 'span' games.

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