After tackling dinosaurs, outer space, and the living dead, Pandasaurus Games is ready for a new challenge: gardening. Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Announced today, Umbra Via will be the company’s first big release of 2021. Designed by Connor Wake and with art by Eddie Schillo, the game was the big winner at the 2019 Cardboard Edison awards (which is the awards show run by and judged entirely by other game designers. It will be a 2-4 player game featuring blind bidding, tile placement, and area control. Learn more below:

Just beyond the towering vines lies an ancient pathway into the unknown. Push back the thorn-riddled stocks to discover a clandestine garden, blooming with mysterious vigor. Vivid colors mark the way to intricate tiles zigging and zagging through the green. Within the flowers lies the key to greater meaning. An explanation for all things unknown…
In Umbra Via, players compete to control and complete the most cunning paths. Reach into your bag to select wooden flowers, then place them on your secret board in the order of the paths you want most. But when players reveal their choices, things get delightfully tricky. Experience the magic of Umbra Via and find out why this award-winning design belongs on any table.
The game will go into full release on March 17, where it will be availiable at most online retailers as well as your FLGS.
Images via Pandasaurus Games
Have strong thoughts about this piece you need to share? Or maybe there’s something else on your mind you’re wanting to talk about with fellow Fandomentals? Head on over to our Community server to join in the conversation!