Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers (2011) Board Game

Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers is a fun and engaging dexterity game designed by Klaus Miltenberger and published by HABA in in 2011. It is a part of the popular Animal Upon Animal series, which is known for its stacking and balancing gameplay mechanics. This particular installment introduces a new twist with the addition of crest pieces that players must carefully stack on top of the animals.

Game Components of Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers

1 mountain panorama

4 Saint Bernards

4 cows

4 marmots

4 squirrels

4 goats

4 snakes

4 pine trees

1 die with symbols

Set of game instructions.

How To Setup Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers

Setup is minimal and straightforward. Place the mountain panorama in the middle, accompanied by the die. Distribute the animals evenly among the players, ensuring each player gets one of each type. If there are fewer than four players, randomly distribute the remaining animals to maintain a fair balance.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roll the Die: Determine how many animals to place or which action to take.

One dot: Place one animal on the mountain or on top of any animal.

Two dots: Place two animals on the mountain or on top of any animal.

Hand: Give one of your animals to another player to place.

Question Mark: Other players decide which animal you must place.

Mountain: Place an animal touching the mountain panorama or an animal already touching it.

Stacking Animals: Players must stack animals using only one hand. If animals fall, players must take up to two fallen animals back into their collection.

Winning Condition: The first player to place all their animals on the mountain wins.

Player Experience

Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers is a simple yet engaging game that is perfect for introducing younger players or new gamers to the stacking genre. The game’s adorable and chunky pieces make it easy for players with less manual dexterity to participate. The gameplay is light-hearted and fun, with a touch of randomness that keeps it exciting. However, the game’s simplicity might make it less appealing to experienced players who prefer more complexity.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to young players.

Portable: The game is easy to pack and take on the go.

Adorable Design: The animals and mountain scenery are visually appealing.

Develops Fine Motor Skills: Helps children improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Cons

Randomness: The die roll can introduce a lot of randomness, which may not appeal to all players.

Limited Complexity: The game is very straightforward and lacks additional complexity that some players might find engaging.

Personal Thoughts on Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers

Animal Upon Animal: Crest Climbers is an excellent choice for families, young children, and new gamers. Its simplicity and cute design make it an enjoyable introduction to stacking games. While it may not offer the depth that experienced players crave, it is a fun and quick game that can be played in under 15 minutes. It’s ideal for those looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-play game that still provides a good challenge in maintaining the stack of animals on the mountain.

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