The Great Dinosaur Rush (2016) Board Game

The Great Dinosaur Rush is a board game released in 2016 by APE Games. Designed by Scott Almes, the game is themed around archaeology and paleontology, allowing players to experience the excitement of discovering and collecting dinosaur fossils.

Game Components of The Great Dinosaur Rush

Game board

Dig site tiles

Bone tokens (different colors)

Museum category tracks

Player screens

Dinosaur cards

Scorepad

How To Setup The Great Dinosaur Rush

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a player screen and places it within reach. The dig site tiles are shuffled and laid out according to the game’s rules, and the bone tokens are distributed among these sites. The museum category tracks are set up on the board, and each player receives a starting set of dinosaur cards. Players determine the starting player randomly, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Phases: Each turn consists of two main phases: dig and build.

Dig Phase: Players collect different-colored bones from the dig sites.

Build Phase: Players use the collected bones to build dinosaur skeletons.

Dig Sites: Players move across the board to set up and collect from dig sites.

Museum Categories: The game tracks the completion of different museum categories.

Objective: The goal is to earn the most points by completing dinosaur skeletons and displaying them in the museum.

Player Experience

Players engage in a fun and competitive environment where strategy and luck play key roles. The game encourages players to manage their resources (bones) effectively and make tactical decisions about which dinosaurs to build and when to display them in the museum. The player screens help in keeping track of the bones collected and the dinosaurs being built, adding a layer of privacy to the players’ plans.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The dual phases of digging and building keep the game exciting and dynamic.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance resource collection with building and displaying dinosaurs.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Replayability: The random setup of dig sites ensures different experiences each time.

Cons

Luck Factor: The availability of bones can be influenced by luck, which might affect the game’s balance.

Complexity: While generally accessible, the game may have a slight learning curve due to its multiple mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on The Great Dinosaur Rush

The Great Dinosaur Rush is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategic games with a hint of luck. It is particularly appealing to those interested in paleontology or dinosaurs, as it combines educational elements with fun gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for hardcore strategists seeking games with profound complexity and minimal luck involvement. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection looking to mix fun and strategy.

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.