Piranha Pedro (2004) Board Game

Piranha Pedro is a board game released in 2004 by Asmodee. Designed by Jens-Peter Schliemann, the game is centered around the theme of piranhas and features a humorous and light-hearted gameplay experience.

Game Components of Piranha Pedro

Gameboard: A 15 x 11 square river area with a small island.

Piranhas: 7 piranhas placed on the riverbed.

Pedro: The main character, a playing figure used by all players.

Landscape Cards: Four random cards showing a village, waterfall, jungle, and sun, aligned on the gameboard’s edges.

Movement Cards: Each player receives 12 identical movement cards.

Stones: Each player starts with four stones.

How To Setup Piranha Pedro

To set up the game, place the gameboard with the small island in the center and the 7 piranhas in their starting positions on the riverbed. Align the four landscape cards on the edges of the board. Each player receives a set of 12 movement cards and four stones. Pedro, the playing figure, starts on the island.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement Mechanism: Players choose a movement card each round, which indicates the direction and number of steps Pedro will take.

Landscape Influence: The movement cards correspond to the landscapes on the edge cards, determining Pedro’s direction.

Stone Placement: When Pedro moves onto a water space, the player must place a stone to make the passage safe.

Piranha Encounters: If Pedro moves onto a piranha, he is eaten, and the player loses a point.

Game End: The game ends when a player has been eaten by piranhas twice; all other players win.

Second-Guessing: Players must anticipate and react to other players’ moves, adding a bluffing mechanism to the game.

Player Experience

Piranha Pedro offers high interaction among players, making it enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned gamers. The game’s unique mechanic where players aim to avoid losing rather than winning adds a twist to traditional board game strategies. The comic-book style rule presentation makes the game easy to learn and engaging.

Pros

Interactive Gameplay: Players constantly interact and second-guess each other’s moves.

Easy to Learn: Simplified rule presentation in a comic-book style.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Strategic Depth: Combines bluffing and strategic card play.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to players seeking more complex games.

Luck Element: Movement and outcomes can be influenced by luck.

Personal Thoughts on Piranha Pedro

Piranha Pedro is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a fun, interactive game that doesn’t require a huge time commitment. The game’s unique mechanics and bluffing elements make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who enjoy light-hearted, strategic games. It was even nominated for the Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005 and won the Essen Feather in 2005, highlighting its appeal and quality.

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