Crossing (2013) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Crossing is a party game released in 2013 by designer Yoshiteru Shinohara. It is a bluffing game that involves set collection and simultaneous action selection. The game is suitable for players aged 6 and above, and can accommodate 3 to 6 players. The game was self-published and features artwork by Charlène le Scanff.

Game Components of Crossing

Character tiles for each player

Mushroom tiles (equal to the number of players minus one)

Life stones (gems) in various colors (yellow, red, blue, and white/clear)

A bag to hold the life stones

How To Setup Crossing

To set up the game, each player places a character tile in front of them. The mushroom tiles are placed in the center of the table, with the number of mushrooms being one less than the number of players. For example, in a 5-player game, there will be 4 mushroom tiles. All life stones are placed in the bag, and 2 stones are randomly drawn and placed on each mushroom tile to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players act simultaneously, pointing to a tile on the count of 3.

Set Collection: Players aim to collect sets of valuable gems (life stones) to earn points.

Objective: The goal is to collect the most points by forming sets of gems. A set of blue, yellow, and red gems is worth 5 points. Any leftover gems are worth 1 point each, and special gems are worth 2 points each.

Stealing: Players can also point to another player’s character tile to steal their gems.

Game End: The game ends when the last life stone is drawn from the bag. Players then tally up their points, with the player having the most points declared the winner.

Player Experience

Crossing is a super simple game to learn and play, making it accessible to families with young children as well as older kids and adults. The simultaneous action mechanism keeps everyone engaged throughout the game, with no downtime waiting for turns. The game is quick, lasting about 10 minutes, and encourages competitive and strategic thinking, especially when trying to protect or steal gems.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it easy for all ages to understand.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families with young children and older players alike.

Quick Gameplay: Lasts only about 10 minutes.

Engaging: No downtime, keeping all players involved.

Competitive: Encourages strategic thinking and competitive play.

Cons

Luck Element: The random draw of gems can introduce a significant luck factor.

Limited Strategy: Some players may find the game too light on strategy.

Stealing Mechanic: Can be frustrating for players who frequently have their gems stolen.

Personal Thoughts on Crossing

Crossing is an excellent choice for families looking for a light, fun, and quick game that everyone can enjoy together. It’s also a great option for casual game nights with friends, as it promotes quick thinking and strategic play without being overly complex. However, players seeking more in-depth strategy or those who dislike luck-based elements might find Crossing too simplistic.

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