Forever Home - Game Review

Title: Forever Home

Designed By: Lottie Hazell and Jack Hazell

Art By: Dann May and Dominique Vassie

Published By: Birdwood Games

Released: 2023

Player Count: 1-5

Time to Play: 20-45 Minutes

Ages: 8+

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Overview:

If you’ve ever dreamed of helping adorable dogs find their perfect humans and you enjoy cozy board game mechanics like tile placement and set collection, Forever Home might just be your next favorite game night pick. In this sweet, heartwarming game, players take on the role of volunteers at a dog shelter, training pups and working to match them with the right forever family. With colorful components, clever puzzly gameplay, and a dose of canine charm, it’s a treat for players who enjoy thoughtful games without too much bite.

What's purr-ty cool:

The art and components are doggone delightful.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Forever Home is just how pretty it is. The color palette is rich and warm without being overly saturated, making the game feel inviting rather than chaotic. The dog cards are full of personality—each pup looking like it could leap right off the card and into your lap. And let’s talk about those dog meeples! Instead of using simple tokens for end game goals, the game goes the extra mile with custom wooden dogs. It’s a small touch, but one that really shows the love and care that went into this game’s design.

As replayable as shelter dogs are unique

With a rotating mix of scoring objective cards and dynamic end-game bonuses based on which dogs are matched to which goals, every playthrough of Forever Home feels a little different. That variety means you can keep coming back to it without feeling like you’ve already seen all the game has to offer. It's an easy one to bring back to the table again and again—especially with different groups of friends.

Surprisingly light, delightfully puzzley.

Despite the array of boards, tokens, and cards, Forever Home plays much quicker and smoother than you might expect. It hits that cozy light-medium-weight sweet spot that’s perfect for fans of games like Azul, Tiny Towns, or River Valley Glassworks. There’s definitely enough of a puzzle here to keep your brain happily engaged, but it also leaves plenty of room for conversation and connection with your fellow players. That makes it a great pick for both game nights and more casual get-togethers. The theme is also approachable enough, that you could use Forever Home to introduce your dog-loving non-gamer friends to a game they might love.

Digital dogs? Yes, please!

As a bonus for those who want to try before they buy—or who just love a good online game night—Forever Home is available on Board Game Arena. It’s a beautifully adapted version, complete with solo play! Whether you're new to the game or looking to sneak in a few rounds between meetings, BGA makes it easy to fall in love with these pups from anywhere. (And hey, if you ever want to play asynchronously, hit me up on Instagram—I’m always game for helping more dogs find homes!)

The cat's meow:

"Shelter pets, make awesome pets. I would know! Thanks for helping these doggos get adopted!" - Solo the Spokescat

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Disclosure: Pudgy Cat Games was provided a copy of this game in exchange for a review, however, this review reflects the honest thoughts of the author.