Hike! (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hike! is a board game designed by Paulina Wach and released in in 2022. It falls under the categories of card game and racing game, offering a unique blend of mechanics such as catch the leader, open drafting, pattern building, race, tile placement, and turn order based on statistics. With a playtime of 20-45 minutes, Hike! is suitable for 2-6 players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Hike!

48 experienced husky cards

8 youngster husky cards

20 landscape cards

12 equipment cards

24 care cards (12 single + 12 double)

12 mentor cards

6 sled cards

6 wooden player pawns

48 wooden cubes

4 Huky on the Loose mini Expansion cards

English rulebook (additional languages available for download)

How To Setup Hike!

To set up Hike!, players begin by preparing their husky sleds. Each player starts with two husky cards and one plus card, which allows them to draw more cards from the husky deck. The landscape cards are slowly revealed, forming the racetrack. Players draft huskies, gather equipment, and collect care cards during the preparation phase. Once all players have completed their sleds and declared they are ready to race, the preparation phase ends, and the race begins.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card drafting

Building patterns

Racing

Game Objective

Assemble a strong and harmonized husky sled team.

Use husky movement points, equipment, and care cards to advance through the racetrack.

Be the first player to cross the finish line.

Player Experience

In Hike!, players take on the role of mushers, competing in a dog sledding race. The game is divided into two phases: preparation and racing. During the preparation phase, players draft huskies, gather equipment, and collect care cards. The racing phase involves using husky movement points to navigate through the snowy wilderness, with the goal of reaching the finish line first. The game requires strategic planning in assembling the sled team and managing resources during the race.

Pros

Engaging and fast-paced gameplay.

Simple to learn but with depth for strategy.

High replayability due to the random drafting of huskies and landscape cards.

Suitable for a wide range of ages and player counts.

Cons

May require multiple plays to fully understand all the rules and card interactions.

Some players might find the preparation phase too lengthy.

Personal Thoughts on Hike!

Hike is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy racing and card drafting mechanics. It offers a fun and competitive experience with a unique theme of dog sledding. The game’s simplicity in rules and complexity in strategy make it appealing to both new and experienced gamers. However, it might not be the best fit for those seeking highly complex or long-duration games.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.