- Publisher : Matagot
- Designer(s) : Douglas Hettrick
- Artist(s) : Ari Oliver
- Players : 2–5
- Playing time : 30–60 Min
- Weight BGG : 2.50
What's this?
Perch is a strategy game for 2 to 5 players where flocks of birds battle to dominate locations in the open countryside. Don’t be fooled by its rustic appearance: behind its cozy nests lies a merciless war between birds to take control of the territory and score as many points as possible.
How do you play?
The game is played in 5 rounds , each divided into 4 phases: Migration , Recruitment , Roost (placement), then Maintenance (scoring). Here is the procedure:
🔁 1. Migration Phase
Each player places two birds from their flock in a migration bag (an opaque bag). Some locations allow for more birds to be added. These birds can then be drawn by other players.
🐣 2. Recruitment Phase
Each player draws 2 birds at random from the bag, then adds 2 birds from their own flock (from their reserve), making a hand of 4 birds.
🪶 3. Perch Phase
In turn, each player places their birds one by one on the Location tiles , according to precise rules:
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Only one bird color per stack.
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Multiple birds can be stacked.
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You can perch on nests to gain a bonus.
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Once per turn, you can perform a bonus action :
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Activate a controlled creature.
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Build a birdhouse (protects the battery).
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Zap a bird (remove a bird from a location with a Lightning token).
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🔄 4. Maintenance Phase
We proceed in this order:
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Calculation of points for each location, according to the majority.
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Reassignment of turn order based on scores.
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Creature Control : Whoever dominates their starting location controls them for the next round.
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We advance the sleeve marker .
Note : bonuses arrive at the end of the game:
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Creature Control: +3 points each.
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Biggest volley at a location: +10 points.
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Birds in the fountain or square: +X points depending on the floor.
Is it good?
Under its cute appearance, Perchés hides a majority game where all dirty tricks are allowed , with direct and sometimes cruel interaction. The placement mechanics are very strategic: in each round, you will have to place not only your own birds , but also possibly those of your opponents, drawn at random from the migration bag. This allows, for example, to cause ties to cancel points , or to force a player to occupy a location that will be unfavorable to him in terms of scoring. You will have to constantly adapt to the actions of the other players , because each move can upset the balance of the board.
The game features a wide variety of Location tiles, creatures, and secret objectives , ensuring excellent replayability . And winning isn’t always just a majority: sometimes second or even third place earns more points, adding real strategic depth .
On the material side, it’s a great success: colorful stackable birds , small nests , plexiglass creatures make the whole thing very pleasant to handle. The illustrations are charming and immersive , reinforcing the bucolic atmosphere… which nevertheless hides a perfectly orchestrated chaos.
What might be less appealing is precisely this permanent, frontal interaction , which may displease players sensitive to low blows. Perchés is clearly a “swelling” game , to be reserved for an informed public who like direct confrontations. Another point to note: even if the game is playable by two, it takes on its full flavor from 3 players .
In short , Perchés is an excellent surprise for fans of majority games: lots of strategy, constant tension, twists and turns, and superb material . But don’t let the cute birds fool you… here, the law of the smartest rules the branches!
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Perch Review
Positives
- Strategic Majority Mechanics
- Constant and tactical interaction
- Superb material
- Very clever indirect placement (opposing birds)
Negatives
- Direct and sometimes aggressive interaction, which can be off-putting
- Less interesting with two players
- Can be frustrating for those who don't like the unexpected
- Tile and creature powers that look very similar
Breakdown
- Edition 9.0
- Mechanics 7.0
- Thematic 7.5
- Replayability 7.5
- Getting started 8.5
- Interaction 9.0
- Originality 7.5
