The Hare and Tortoise
The Aesop tale we learned growing up as kids "the tortoise and the hare" has been revitalized and brought to life in the adorable game, The Hare and Tortoise. In this rendition of the game, not only is it a race between the tortoise and the hare characters, but we've also involved the big bad wolf, the fox, and the sheep.
To begin the game there's a little assembly required. You'll layout the race track in a fun shape of your choosing, you'll build the race podium, and finish line. Then every player (2-5) receives a character card that they are betting on to win the race. This is not an optional choice, but a forced character dedication. In addition to this character, the players will receive cards that they will use to pick their secondary betting character.
Players are trying to get either of their characters to win the race and/or just get on the podium because the better their character does in the race, the more points the player gets towards winning the game. If you're particularly daring, you can double down and say, the Hare is absolutely going to win the race, and bet on him or any other character twice.
All of the setup and pre-race work is all fairly straight forward, and once learned can be done in a minute or two at most. Now you may ask, is this a fair race, will everyone move the same? Nope. It is unrealistic to assume that a sheep and a turtle have the same speed. So every single character has a different way that the movement cards allow them to speed around the course.
While playing cards, you may play 1-4 cards of one type of animal. ex. I may play 1-4 tortoises, or 1-4 foxes, etc. Until there are either 4 of a kind of one animal, or 8 cards played in total, among all players. Once EITHER of these conditions are met, the race is off and based upon the animal cards played characters will advance in varying ways.
If 1-4 cards are played for the rabbit, he will move 2 spaces, if 0-3 cards are played for the tortoise he moves 1 space, if 4 cards are played for the tortoise, he will move 2 spaces, etc etc etc. The game provides cheat cards for each player that layout how each character moves around the track. I will also say that true to form of the story, if the Hare is in the lead (or tied) and 4 cards are played for the Hare, he will take a nap and decide not to advance.
This game seems very simple on it's surface but there's so many opportunities for strategy, bluffing, deception, a little card counting ability, and yes, luck. The Hare and Tortoise as a game is themed for young kids to be able to enjoy it, but it's game dynamics are more for the 12+ age range.
Game speed is quick, and the replay ability level is very high. Including learning the game for the first time, as well as playing a 3 player game with attentive individuals, I've played 3 rounds in 45 minutes. This is a quick game that can be enjoyed by everyone, and is for now at least in my current top 5 games to want to play with as many people as possible. Get your copy HERE!
To begin the game there's a little assembly required. You'll layout the race track in a fun shape of your choosing, you'll build the race podium, and finish line. Then every player (2-5) receives a character card that they are betting on to win the race. This is not an optional choice, but a forced character dedication. In addition to this character, the players will receive cards that they will use to pick their secondary betting character.
Players are trying to get either of their characters to win the race and/or just get on the podium because the better their character does in the race, the more points the player gets towards winning the game. If you're particularly daring, you can double down and say, the Hare is absolutely going to win the race, and bet on him or any other character twice.
All of the setup and pre-race work is all fairly straight forward, and once learned can be done in a minute or two at most. Now you may ask, is this a fair race, will everyone move the same? Nope. It is unrealistic to assume that a sheep and a turtle have the same speed. So every single character has a different way that the movement cards allow them to speed around the course.
While playing cards, you may play 1-4 cards of one type of animal. ex. I may play 1-4 tortoises, or 1-4 foxes, etc. Until there are either 4 of a kind of one animal, or 8 cards played in total, among all players. Once EITHER of these conditions are met, the race is off and based upon the animal cards played characters will advance in varying ways.
If 1-4 cards are played for the rabbit, he will move 2 spaces, if 0-3 cards are played for the tortoise he moves 1 space, if 4 cards are played for the tortoise, he will move 2 spaces, etc etc etc. The game provides cheat cards for each player that layout how each character moves around the track. I will also say that true to form of the story, if the Hare is in the lead (or tied) and 4 cards are played for the Hare, he will take a nap and decide not to advance.
This game seems very simple on it's surface but there's so many opportunities for strategy, bluffing, deception, a little card counting ability, and yes, luck. The Hare and Tortoise as a game is themed for young kids to be able to enjoy it, but it's game dynamics are more for the 12+ age range.
Game speed is quick, and the replay ability level is very high. Including learning the game for the first time, as well as playing a 3 player game with attentive individuals, I've played 3 rounds in 45 minutes. This is a quick game that can be enjoyed by everyone, and is for now at least in my current top 5 games to want to play with as many people as possible. Get your copy HERE!
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