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At first glance the Up the River tile moving board game by Ravensburger might seem too simplistic to be any fun. It includes 1 Harbor Tile and 10 River Tiles with wooden game pieces in shape of boats for players to move on the roll of a die. That’s it. But this game published in 1988 is quite delightful for all ages to play. Don’t let the few components of the game fool you!
The object of the game is to move boats into the Harbor, and be the player who earns the most points by doing so.
The game is recommended for ages 6 and up. It is for 2-4 players, with a game usually lasting around 20 minutes or so. It’s a perfect game for a quick round of fun.
To begin play, the Harbor Tile is placed at the top of the River Tiles. The River Tiles are to be placed in the order shown on the back of the box. The amusing additions of ducks, waves, and other cute items on the Tiles help differentiate the 10 Tiles from each other. Players then place their 3 game pieces on the 4th tile up from bottom.
On each player’s turn the die is rolled to determine movement. Each player is trying to move upstream and into the harbor. There are few obstacles and special rules that apply.
Sandbar: All players, no matter their roll, must stop on this tile.
Waves: If a player lands on this card by exact roll, he moves forward 3 more spaces.
Rolls of the Arrows on the Die: This roll offers options to either move a game piece forward with a good wind, or move an opponent’s game piece back with a bad wind.
Tile Movement: After each round of play, the person who went first takes the bottom tile and places it on top. This is done after each round. The river becomes a revolving board. If at anytime a boat is on the bottom Tile, the boat is considered to have gone over the Waterfall and is out of the game.
At first you might think this couldn’t happen! But it can, and it is this aspect of the game which adds the most thrills. Players must continually try to move all their boats upstream without ever letting one get caught going over the waterfall!
To move safely into the Harbor, a player does not need to roll an exact count. Each player who enters can have a sigh of relief and can place his boat in the highest point dock available.
The game ends when all boats have arrived on dock (of those which didn’t go over the waterfall). The player with the most points win the game.
A short and sweet game with just enough thrills to want to play again!
Play a game, any game, today!
