Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer! (2019) Board Game

Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer! is a board game released in 2019 by Infinite Heart Games. Designed by Leslie et alia and Samantha R. et alia, this game falls under the territory building category and features mechanics such as area majority/influence, modular board, and tile placement. With a playful theme of rabbits exploring and conquering an island, it offers a fun and strategic gameplay experience for 2 to 4 players.

Game Components of Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer!

Rabbit tokens and disks

Carrot tokens (100 per player)

Tile sets including Carrot Patches and various Garden tiles

Action cards

Movement cards

Rabbit Hole tiles

Camp, Village, and Town discs

Game boards for setup and scoring

How To Setup Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer!

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding rabbit token, disks, and 100 Carrot tokens. Players start with the Founder’s Hill tile and take turns placing two tiles—either Carrot Patches or Garden tiles—onto the board, ensuring the tiles connect via the double arrows on their edges. After placing tiles, players move their rabbit token to one of the newly placed tiles. The game board is dynamic, changing with each playthrough.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Tile placement

Resource management (Carrot tokens)

Building and upgrading structures (Camp, Village, Town)

Movement using Movement cards

Game Objective:

Gain the most Victory Points by building and harvesting on the island.

The game ends after 20 rounds, with a shorter 10-round option available.

Points are scored based on the buildings constructed, with more expensive buildings yielding more points. Additional points are awarded for the largest orthogonal series of connected gardens and the player with the most Carrots.

Player Experience

**Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer** offers a light and engaging gaming experience. The game is easy to set up and teach, with each playthrough featuring a unique board configuration. Turns are quick, and the entire game, including setup and scoring, typically lasts about 30-40 minutes. The game’s bright and attractive artwork, along with its thick cardboard tiles, add to its appeal.

Pros

Easy to set up and teach

Dynamic board ensures different gameplay each time

Quick gameplay with short turns

Attractive artwork and high-quality components

Suitable for families and casual gamers

Cons

Limited complexity, which may not appeal to experienced gamers

Short game duration might make it feel too lightweight for some players

Personal Thoughts on Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer!

**Rabbit Island: Explore, Build, Conquer** is ideal for those looking for a light, fun, and family-friendly board game. It’s perfect for casual gamers who enjoy strategic resource management and building without the complexity of more hardcore games. The game’s short duration and easy setup make it a great addition to any game night or family gathering. However, experienced gamers might find it too simple and lacking in depth.

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