izigame.me

This review is going to be a little different from my usual format, as instead of telling you that the avian-themed strategy is fun and the designs are aesthetically pleasing, I want to tell you why Wingspan is important to me. I’ll try to keep it short.
Awhile ago I was sent to the hospital by ambulance, for privacy reasons I won’t share why, but for the next three weeks I’d be in recovery. It wasn’t until my fifth day when I was actually able to leave my room that I began to socialize. The first person I talked to was a girl who I’ll call Ren, she was self-admitted on the day of blood-work and I got to meet her after breakfast.
She actually attended my Highschool and when I was a Freshman she was a Senior, we were even in the same Art Club at the same time, ended up attending some events together but I never actually noticed her, funny thing was when I first saw her in the hospital I thought she looked like an artist, no particular reason, just read her as one. The first thing I asked her was about was the book she was reading and she asked me about the hoodie I was wearing. Naturally I asked her if she wanted to sit down and well, the rest is history; we became fast friends. You could say our relationship “took flight” then.
The unit we stayed in had a recreation office and a small living area for the patients, there were activities and books, board games too which is also how we found the physical version of Wingspan. This is also how I found out how much she loved birds, she had a few back at home and told me how much she missed them. So of course, Wingspan became a normal part of our daily routine playing it for hours each day, we'd even skip some meals and parts of our rehabilitation. I actually learned a lot about birds through playing it and the various ramblings of Ren, I’m quite the enthusiast now and my favorite bird is the Kingfisher if you were wondering. As for her? Well she was really fond of her one Budgie, who was wonderfully white with sky blue accents, and a funereal black beak. I got to see a few pictures, she was lovely. Cuddly too, so I've heard. That was her favorite.
Though sadly, a week and a half before she was discharged, Suki passed away of natural causes. We both cried. We stopped playing Wingspan as it had suddenly become a bitter taste in our mouths, but without it I fear our friendship would not have happened, and perhaps worse, each of us would have been alone during one of the saddest times of our lives.
Ren discharged shortly thereafter and as did I a week after her. We stay in touch every now and then, but the busy life she lives prevents her from answering the phone some days. Thinking of her, I had remembered I had purchased wingspan on Steam long ago, but never got around to playing it. It's been two months since I was hospitalized, but now I play it happily and reminisce of the conversations, laughter and the strength we had in recovery.
As for the review part of this I'll let others cover it. But for what I have to say is although the virtual version offers you not only DLC but the ability to play online with others all over the world, I would personally recommend the physical version of wingspan, I acknowledge I’m quite biased, but the authentic connections you can make over a face-to-face card game are times that remain valuable forever.
This review is Dedicated to Suki, may angels lead you in. And Ren, wherever you are, take care of yourself. Thank you for being a friend who was not only compassionate and empathetic, but also incredibly sincere and encouraging.