Rise or Fall (2011) Board Game

Rise or Fall is a card game designed by Martin Nedergaard Andersen and published by FoxMind in in 2011. The game features rock-paper-scissors style gameplay with a twist of secret unit deployment and simultaneous action selection. The game is fast-paced, with a runtime of only 10 minutes, making it perfect for quick game sessions with friends and family.

Game Components of Rise!

Hexagonal map tiles

Player pieces

Tower pieces

How To Setup Rise!

To set up “Rise!”, players start with a central hexagonal tile and their respective pieces. The game board grows as players add new land tiles during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Build three towers, each consisting of three levels.

Turn Actions:
– Place a new piece adjacent to an existing piece.
– Move a piece.
– Remove a tower piece.
– “Jump” a piece to capture an opponent’s piece.
– Place a new land tile.
– Sacrifice two pieces to place one anywhere on the board or to remove an opponent’s piece.

Tower Construction: A tower is built when a player’s pieces surround an empty hex, with each turn adding a new stage to the tower if the pieces remain in place.

Player Experience

“Rise!” transforms from a simple tower-building game into a complex strategy of board control and piece management. The key to winning often lies in controlling the most pieces on the board, which allows for more strategic actions like sacrificing pieces to clear opponents or take over positions. The game has a tipping point where one player gains significant advantage, usually the one with the most pieces.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Encourages deep strategic thinking and planning.

Dynamic Board: The growing hexagonal map adds a unique element to each game.

Interactive Play: Players must constantly adapt to their opponent’s moves.

Cons

Initial Confusion: Can be misleadingly simple at the start, leading to poor initial strategies.

Piece Management: Requires careful management of pieces to avoid backfiring strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Rise!

“Rise!” is for players who enjoy abstract strategy games that require careful planning and adaptability. It is not for those who prefer games with simplicity or randomness, as it demands a high level of strategic thinking and board control. The game is best suited for players looking for a challenging and engaging experience that rewards clever piece management and board strategy.

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