Wingspan Pocket has all the brilliance of the original, with fewer barriers to entry

It says a lot that I'd consider recommending Wingspan Pocket to someone over the original. Don't get me wrong, the first game is a modern classic that's earned its glowing reputation. (We called it "one of the greats" in our Wingspan review.) But this bite-size version fixes some of the original's most common criticisms, so it's hard not to be won over.

After running multiple test sessions with friends and family, I'd go so far as to say Wingspan Pocket is the perfect introduction to this series. It's also ideal for existing fans who want a shorter alternative or something they can play on the go.

Corvid combos

Wingspan is often listed amongst the best board games for a reason, so this pint-sized version doesn't mess with the formula; your aim is still to collect resources and buy birds from a central market that provide points alongside special abilities. Whoever earns the highest score at the end will win.

However, it streamlines the process. Rather than using multiple biomes that require specific kinds of birds, you play all of them in a single row beside your 'nest.' So long as you can pay their cost (be it specific resources, eggs, or a mix of both), you're allowed to place birds without restriction. Plus, the way you gather those resources is much more straightforward than before; each bird card has a random resource symbol printed on the back, and these can be drawn from the central market as well. It's a far more elegant solution than the OG game's dice.

Wingspan Pocket ends once someone has played six birds, so it's important to choose your lineup wisely. That's because most birds have unique abilities that help you throughout the game. These are incredibly varied; some might allow you to earn extra resources each turn, while others let you hunt birds for bonus points later on. No matter what, these powers stack and (usually) activate at the end of every turn, so it's possible to construct some very clever combos if you're careful.

Because all birds have an end-of-game points score, you'll have to weigh up their value versus how useful their ability is going to be. This is where the game gets clever.

Nip and tuck

If you're patient, you can create some incredibly powerful match-ups. As an example, I played a bird early on in one session that earned no end-game points… but it allowed me to choose two extra cards (resources or birds) each turn if I discarded something. I combined this with another bird that let me swap a resource to 'tuck' cards underneath for points. Using the two in tandem allowed me to build momentum fast.

It's true that you're at the mercy of whichever cards are available in the market. But the key is recognizing combos and being flexible enough to act on them. If you win, it's because you were skillful – not because you got lucky.

When you act is also crucial. Putting down a card at the right time can spell the difference between victory and defeat. For instance, that bird I used early on would be useless if played near the end of a match. But played right away? It got the ball rolling.

This is the kind of clever gameplay that makes Wingspan so beloved… albeit at a faster pace, with fewer obstacles to surmount. That's why I became so enamored with Wingspan Pocket after just a couple of tries; it has all the brilliance, with fewer barriers to entry.

Should you buy Wingspan Pocket?

If you're new to the franchise and want an easy-to-understand entry point, you won't find a better option than Wingspan Pocket. While the likes of Finspan are just as accessible, Pocket is faster to play and more streamlined on the whole.

As for existing fans, this is a great choice if you want something quicker or more portable. It loses none of the original's strategic splendor, but addresses many of its criticisms. Wingspan Pocket isn't as deep, I'll admit, but it captures enough of its predecessor's magic that you won't mind.