Designers / Publisher / Year: Elizabeth Hargrave / Alderac Entertainment Group / 2020
Player Count / Playtime: 2-5 Players / 60 mins
Genre / Type / Mechanics: Butterflies, Insects, Grid Movement, Set Collection
Mariposas is a board game centered around the migration cycle of monarch butterflies across North America. Designed by the talented Elizabeth Hargrave, the game has players guiding generations of butterflies from Mexico northward through the United States before eventually returning south by the end of the season. It is a route-building and movement-focused game where butterflies spread across the map, collect flower tokens, complete objectives, and reproduce new generations as they travel.
Mechanically, the game is fairly straightforward. Players use movement cards to travel between cities on the board, managing how far butterflies can migrate while trying to position themselves efficiently for seasonal scoring rounds. Butterflies can reproduce along the way, allowing your network to expand, but every decision is ultimately tied to preparing for the long return migration back to Mexico before winter arrives. The game is easy to learn, visually appealing, and clearly designed to create a calm, nature-focused experience rather than a highly competitive one.
Going into Mariposas, I had pretty high expectations. Elizabeth designed Wingspan, which is a game I absolutely love, and as someone who also loves butterflies and nature themes, this should have been an easy win for me. Unfortunately, the game just never really delivered. Despite the beautiful presentation and interesting concept, the gameplay itself felt surprisingly flat.
Most of the experience just felt like moving pieces up and down the board from point A to point B, trying to optimize routes without much excitement or tension along the way. I never really felt invested in what I was doing turn-to-turn, and the migration cycle ended up feeling more repetitive than engaging. The theme is strong aesthetically, but mechanically the game never gave me those satisfying moments or meaningful decisions that kept me wanting more.
After my first play, I really did not feel any desire to revisit it. In a hobby where shelf space is limited and there are so many excellent games competing for table time, Mariposas simply did not justify keeping a spot in my collection. I can appreciate the artistry and peaceful atmosphere it creates, but for me, it ultimately felt more pleasant than fun.
Verdict: Mariposas is a beautiful and accessible nature-themed game with a relaxing atmosphere and an appealing concept, especially for fans of butterflies and lighter strategy games. However, while the presentation is excellent, the gameplay itself felt too repetitive and mechanically thin to leave a lasting impression. I wanted to love it because of the theme and the designer behind it, but in the end, it was a game that fell flat for me and one I ultimately chose not to keep in my collection.
Reviewed on 05/26/2026
Score Breakdown
| Category | Description | Score (1–10) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Aesthetics & Components | Visual design, artwork, tactile quality, and overall presentation. | 7.5 |
| 2. Rules Clarity & Accessibility | Ease of learning, clarity of rulebook, setup time, and iconography. | 7 |
| 3. Strategic Depth | Amount of meaningful decision-making and long-term planning. | 5 |
| 4. Luck vs. Skill Balance | How fairly chance and skill coexist. | 6 |
| 5. Player Interaction | Engagement and social dynamics between players. | 5 |
| 6. Pacing & Downtime | Flow, engagement, and smoothness of play. | 6.5 |
| 7. Replayability | Longevity, variability, and continued appeal. | 5 |
| 8. Theme Integration | How well the mechanics and story fit the theme. | 8 |
| 9. Enjoyment & Emotional Impact | Pure fun factor—excitement, tension, satisfaction. | 5 |
| 10. Innovation & Uniqueness | Creativity, originality, and distinctiveness from other games. | 5.5 |
| Overall Mean Score | 6.05 / 10 | |