High Tide (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

High Tide is a board game released in 2016, designed by Dennis Lohausen and published by Queen Games. It is a dice game with a push your luck mechanic, where players must carefully manage their choices to avoid getting swept away by the rising tide. The game is suitable for 3-6 players, with the best experience being for 4-5 players. It has a quick runtime of 25 minutes and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Game Components of High Tide

Game board (double-sided for 3-4 players and 5-6 players)

Deck chairs (6 per player)

Towels (1 per player)

Sunshades (1 per player)

Victory point markers (1 per player)

Dice

Wave tiles (large and small)

Beach bars

How To Setup High Tide

To set up High Tide, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding deck chairs, towel, sunshade, and victory point marker. Players place their sunshades in front of them, their victory point markers on the start space of the victory point track, and one deck chair on each of the 6 beach bars. The towels are shuffled face down and then piled face up on the towel depot, determining the player order for the first game round. Any unused components are returned to the game box.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Order: Determined by the towel pile, with the top towel indicating the start player.

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to determine which beach sections they can move their deck chairs towards the water.

Deck Chair Movement: Players move their deck chairs based on the dice results, aiming to be closest to the water without getting caught by a wave.

Wave Mechanism: At the end of each round, waves move in on certain beaches, adding wave tiles and potentially removing deck chairs.

Victory Points: Points are awarded at the end of each round based on deck chair positions, with the player closest to the water earning the most points.

Game End: The game ends after 6 rounds or when a deck chair is caught by a wave. The player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

High Tide offers a fun and tactical experience, requiring players to balance the risk of being too close to the water with the reward of scoring higher victory points. The game’s dynamic, with the wave mechanism adding an element of unpredictability, keeps players engaged and strategic throughout.

Pros

Interactive and Dynamic: The game’s wave mechanism and dice rolling create a lively and unpredictable environment.

Easy to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Players need to think strategically about their deck chair placements and dice rolls.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide age range, including older children.

Cons

Luck Factor: The dice rolls introduce a significant element of luck, which might not appeal to all players.

Limited Complexity: While strategic, the game is not overly complex, which might make it less appealing to hardcore gamers.

Personal Thoughts on High Tide

High Tide is perfect for families or casual gaming groups looking for a light-hearted yet strategic game. It is ideal for those who enjoy area control and dice rolling mechanics without needing overly complex rules. The game’s theme of competing for the best beach spots adds a fun and relatable element, making it a great addition to any game collection.

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