Rescue Polar Bears (2016) Board Game

Rescue Polar Bears is a cooperative board game designed by Darren Black and Huang Yi Ming, and published by Boxed Lightning in in 2016. The game focuses on environmental conservation and players take on the role of researchers trying to rescue polar bears stranded on melting ice caps. With its unique theme and gameplay mechanics, Rescue Polar Bears offers a different experience compared to other board games in the market.

Game Components of Rescue Polar Bears

Game board depicting the Arctic Ocean

Rescue ships with different abilities

Polar bear figures

Data tokens

Temperature tracker

Helicopters

Support cards

Ice hexes

Fossil fuel consumption tokens

How To Setup Rescue Polar Bears

To set up the game, players first place the game board, which represents the Arctic Ocean. Each player chooses a rescue ship with unique abilities. The polar bear figures are placed on the ice hexes, and the temperature tracker is set to the starting point. Data tokens, helicopters, and support cards are also prepared according to the game’s rules. The fossil fuel consumption tokens are used to track the rising temperature.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to achieve the game’s objectives.

Data Collection: Players collect data tokens to persuade governments to change their energy policy.

Polar Bear Rescue: Prevent polar bears from sinking into the water by using rescue ships and helicopters.

Temperature Management: Keep the temperature below 20 degrees to avoid losing the game.

Upgrades: Upgrade rescue ships using collected data tokens to improve their abilities.

Support Cards: Draw support cards for additional benefits.

Win Condition: Collect a specific number of data tokens to win.

Lose Condition: Fail to protect the polar bears or let the temperature exceed 20 degrees.

Player Experience

Rescue Polar Bears offers an engaging and challenging experience, especially in a group setting. The game is easy to teach but difficult to master, making it appealing to a wide range of gamers. Players must strategize to collect data while rescuing polar bears, adding a layer of tension and drama to the game. The adorable polar bear figures and the thematic element of global warming make the game both fun and educational.

Pros

Unique Theme: Combines climate change and polar bear rescue in a compelling way.

Easy to Teach: Simple to learn, making it accessible to new players.

High Replayability: Different ship abilities and support cards ensure varied gameplay.

Educational: Raises awareness about global warming and its effects.

Cons

Mechanically Familiar: Gameplay mechanics are not drastically new, similar to other cooperative games like Pandemic.

Emotional Impact: Players can feel upset if they fail to save the polar bears.

Personal Thoughts on Rescue Polar Bears

Rescue Polar Bears is ideal for families, educational settings, and any group looking for a cooperative game with a strong thematic focus. It’s perfect for those who enjoy games with a mix of strategy and emotional engagement. While it may not offer groundbreaking new mechanics, its execution and production values make it a delightful addition to any board game collection.

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