Fromage Review

Fromage Review

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to really dive into any kind of game that wasn’t built with small children in mind. Apart from several sessions of Galdur’s Grip and a few other solo games, I just don’t get people over that often to play something that takes more time and strategy.

So you can guess how much I was looking forward to Dice + Diversions 2025. Gaming conventions are where I finally get the chance to check out everything I’ve been missing over the past few months. While I usually sit back and let others teach me rules at these events, I got to this one a little early, so I made myself useful and helped with setup in the “Hot Games” area.

The game I went to first was one that I’ve seen around for a while – Fromage. Its stunning artwork was hard to resist, so I punched everything out, sat down with a video, and taught myself the rules. By the end of the day, I’d played four games and was already trying to figure out how to add Fromage to my collection.

Say Cheese!

In Fromage, players take on the role of aspiring cheesemakers in a picturesque countryside, placing workers to gather resources and make cheese. The game takes place in four different venues, but you can only access one at a time during your turns. Where you place your workers is important, as it will determine how soon you get to use them again.

Fromage - Villes section

You see, in Fromage, the board is meant to be rotated. After everyone has placed their workers, the board is spun clockwise so that a new section is in front of you. Any of your workers that are now facing you can be collected and used on the next turn. As you can guess, better actions cause workers to be left on the board for longer. You’ll need to strike a balance between keeping your workers available and having them complete bigger actions for more rewards.

Resources are utilized in a few different ways. Buildings are put together to unlock structures, which grant powerful ongoing abilities. Livestock can help you to make extra cheese on your turn, while fruit is needed to make certain cheeses and will grant bonus points later on. Order cards provide extra points if you make certain types of cheeses.

Fromage - player board

Each area of the board is going to score differently, though all are primarily based on how you have placed your cheese tokens. Once a player runs out of their cheese tokens, the game ends, and the scores are tallied. Each area earns players points, but they might also get points from their structures, their fruit, and their order cards. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins!

Players who can think a few turns ahead will have the upper hand, though the game’s mechanics are accessible enough for newer players to jump in without feeling overwhelmed.

Fromage - resource board

A Gouda Time for All

Let’s talk about the artwork. It’s stunning. From the moment I looked at the box, I was drawn in by the beautiful, hand-painted countryside – that totally looks like a bunch of cheese. I’m also a fan of the detailed components. Each resource type has a few different variations that all still represent the same thing – it’s nice to have that variety. I also like the way the worker pieces function so that they are smiling at you whenever it’s time to retrieve them. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why, but there’s a charm to the design that makes it one of the most visually captivating games I’ve played recently.

Fromage - cheese maker

Mechanically, Fromage strikes a great balance between simplicity and depth. The worker placement actions are easy to grasp, but finding the right strategy for timing and prioritization is where the game shines. That said, I didn’t make the most of the structures during my plays. While the advanced variation that allows you to draft buildings seems like it would open up some fun strategies, I leaned more on livestock and fruit to get ahead. I imagine that as I play more, I’ll find better ways to utilize structures effectively.

Gameplay Is.. a Brie-eze?

What impressed me most is how well Fromage caters to different types of players. It’s easy to teach to newcomers, but there’s plenty of room for experienced gamers to dive into strategic nuances. Some players at the table struggled with planning several turns ahead and found the experience to be a bit overwhelming. However, that didn’t keep them from asking to play again.

Fromage - goal card

One problem we had with the copy we used was that the board pieces didn’t fit together all that well. As a result, the entire thing would shift each time we needed to rotate it. It was pretty annoying, to the point that Ryan actually said that such an issue could keep him from purchasing the game. I’m not sure I feel that strongly about it, but it is something worth mentioning. 

The Final Slice

After this weekend, Fromage is now firmly at the top of my “most wanted” list. It’s a game that’s as enjoyable to teach and share as it is to play. With its stunning presentation, smooth mechanics, and mix of accessibility and strategy, Fromage delivers a gaming experience that’s perfect for almost any group. If you get the chance to play this, don’t hesitate—it’s worth savoring.

Fromage is available at your local game store or online through Amazon today.

Highs

  • Gorgeous artwork that draws you in
  • Simple actions with some deeper strategic potential
  • Accessible for players of all skill levels
  • Simultaneous turns lead to a quick game

Lows

  • Pieces might not fit together as well as you would want
  • Planning a few steps ahead may challenge newer players

Complexity

2.5 out of 5

Time Commitment

1.5 out of 5

Replayability

3 out of 5

Ric White

I teach math for a living and enjoy time with my super awesome wife, awesome kids and almost as awesome dog. I like card and board games, and I truly enjoy learning and experiencing new games whenever I can.

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