Island Hopper (2017) Board Game

Island Hopper is a board game released in 2017, designed by Kwanchai Moriya and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games. The game is categorized under Action/Dexterity, Aviation/Flight, and Negotiation genres, featuring gameplay that involves auction/bidding, pick-up and deliver, and set collection mechanics. With a runtime of 30-45 minutes, Island Hopper is suitable for 2-6 players aged 13 and above.

Game Components of Island Hopper

Game board

Player tokens and airplanes

Island tiles

Bidding and bribe tokens

Dice (for resolving certain actions)

How To Setup Island Hopper

To set up Island Hopper, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a token and an airplane, which are placed on the starting island. The island tiles are shuffled and arranged according to the game’s instructions. Bidding and bribe tokens are distributed among the players. The setup is relatively straightforward, ensuring that players can quickly dive into the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dexterity: Players use their physical skills to move their airplanes around the board.

Bidding: Players bid on which island they think their airplane will land on.

Bribing: Players can use tokens to influence the landing spots of other players’ airplanes.

Objective: The goal is to successfully land on islands and collect points based on the islands’ values.

Player Experience

Island Hopper offers a fun and interactive experience, blending strategic bidding with the unpredictability of dexterity challenges. Players need to balance their bids with the physical skill of moving their airplanes, making each turn exciting and potentially humorous. The game’s light negotiation aspect adds a social element, encouraging players to interact and strategize together.

Pros

Engaging Mix of Mechanics: Combines dexterity, bidding, and social interaction.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels.

Quick Games: Typically lasts around 30-45 minutes.

High Replayability: Randomized island setup and varied player strategies ensure different experiences each time.

Cons

Luck Factor: The dexterity element introduces a significant amount of luck, which may not appeal to strategic players.

Component Quality: Some players may find the components, such as the airplanes, a bit flimsy.

Personal Thoughts on Island Hopper

Island Hopper is ideal for families and casual game groups looking for a fun, light-hearted experience. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a mix of physical humor and strategic planning. However, players seeking a deeply strategic or complex game might find Island Hopper too simplistic. For anyone looking to add a bit of laughter and excitement to their gaming sessions, Island Hopper is a great addition to the collection.

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