Wingspan review

Wingspan is the best pick for families who love nature and for anyone who also wants to play alone. GameNerdz describes it as a competitive, medium-weight, card-driven engine-building game from Stonemaier Games, designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. You play bird cards into your habitats, and each bird extends a chain of combinations in that habitat, so your turns get stronger over the four rounds. The 2nd edition box holds 170 bird cards, 16 Automa cards for solo play, 75 egg miniatures, 103 food tokens and a birdfeeder dice tower, and it includes the Swift-Start Pack with 10 bird cards and four walk-through guides. It is listed for 1 to 5 players aged 10 and up at 40 to 70 minutes. It lists at $65 and was $55 when we checked. It is harder to teach than the lighter games here and has little interaction between players.

Who it is for

Nature lovers and families who also want a solo mode

Price

$65 list price; $55 at GameNerdz when checked.

walk-through guides for players new to the game $55.00 $65.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• 1 to 5 players, ages 10 and up, 40 to 70 minutes
• 170 unique bird cards plus 16 Automa cards for solo play
• Birdfeeder dice tower, 75 egg miniatures and 103 food tokens
• 2nd edition includes the Swift-Start Pack with 10 bird cards and four walk-through guides
• Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, published by Stonemaier Games

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Only game here that also plays solo with a dedicated Automa deck
• Strength: Swift-Start Pack includes four walk-through guides for new players
• Strength: Seats up to 5 players
• Weakness: Most expensive family pick at $65 list
• Weakness: Medium-weight rules take longer to teach than Ticket to Ride or Azul
• Weakness: Limited interaction between players

Key facts

• Publisher: Stonemaier Games
• Designer: Elizabeth Hargrave
• Players: 1 to 5
• Play time: 40 to 70 minutes
• Age: 10+
• Price: $65 list, $55 at GameNerdz

Where it ranks

Wingspan is No. 8 in our Best Board Games verdict.