Planet of the Apes - Planet of the Apes, IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Planet of the Apes - Planet of the Apes, IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  1. Planet of the Apes - Planet of the Apes, IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  2. Planet of the Apes - Planet of the Apes, IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Planet of the Apes Review

Planet of the Apes blends movie nostalgia with strategic gameplay. While luck can sway outcomes, teamwork and laughter make it worthwhile. The components and artwork evoke the classic film, though some text is hard to read. Worth a shot!
  • Theme and Atmosphere
  • Gameplay Mechanics and Balance
  • Player Interaction
  • Component Quality and Artwork
3.8/5Overall Score

Nostalgic and strategic, Planet of the Apes offers thrilling teamwork with minor balance issues, but promises plenty of fun.

Specs
  • Number of Players: 1-4
  • Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 14 and up
  • Game Type: Cooperative
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate
  • Components: Board, miniatures, dice, cards
  • Theme: Nostalgic, Sci-Fi
Pros
  • Nostalgic movie theme
  • Engaging cooperative play
  • Dynamic player roles
  • Sturdy components
Cons
  • Text readability issues
  • Minor design flaws
  • Luck affects balance
Disclaimer: Clicking our links may result in us earning enough for a new pair of dice, but not enough to quit our day jobs as amateur board game hustlers.

Welcome to my review of Planet of the Apes! This thrilling board game combines nostalgia with strategy, offering a movie-like experience. But, like a mismatched pair of socks, it’s not without its quirks. Stay tuned as I unravel the theme, gameplay, and more, all spiced with my personal misadventures and mishaps. Grab your popcorn, folks, it’s going to be a wild ride!

How It Plays

Planet of the Apes the board game isn’t monkey business, I promise! Gather your buddies, because cooperation is key here. Let’s jump right in!

Setting Up

First, unfold the game board, which features different movie scenarios. Each player gets a character card, along with five skill cards. Shuffle event cards and place them in their designated spots. Organize ape and human figurines—you’ll feel like you’re part of the movie!

Gameplay

Take turns drawing event cards. Your team must solve challenges by using skill cards. Discuss, strategize, and decide as a team. Use dice to determine the outcome—yup, there’s that luck factor creeping in. Each player has a role, so teamwork shines! Work through the stages while keeping an eye on your resources.

Winning the Game

To win, complete all the scenarios before running out of resources or getting overrun by the apes. We learned the hard way that communication is essential—no lone heroics in this one! Triumph and celebrate like the human heroes you are.

Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Planet of the Apes.

Immersing in the Eerie Atmosphere of Planet of the Apes

Ever thought of being in a world where apes rule and humans drool? That’s the thrilling setting you get with the board game “Planet of the Apes.” Picture this: a dimly lit room, the sound of distant monkey screeches, and a table full of my fellow primate-loving friends all set to conquer, or fail, in this bizarre universe.

The creators of “Planet of the Apes” surely went bananas thinking about how to create a perfectly eerie theme. From the artwork that’ll make you question your evolutionary path to the tiny details on the game board, it feels like someone took a slice from the movie and served it on our table. My buddy, Bob, kept saying, “I feel like Charlton Heston should walk into the room any minute now!”

And oh, the story cards! They have these outrageous little blips that can make you feel both excited and a tad anxious. Like the time the card whispered in my ear to lead my team through an unsettling ape village. I could swear Sue, my usually calm friend, nearly went bananas when we realized we might have taken a wrong turn. It’s about the atmosphere here, people – it sucks you in like a vacuum.

While the theme really keeps everyone on the edge, it’s not all sunshine and bananas. At times, it feels like some parts of the board were designed by a monkey… with a paintbrush. The game has its hiccups, but if you’re here for some ape-themed excitement, you’re in the right jungle.

Stay tuned, because up next, we’re swinging into gameplay mechanics and balance – where the real fun starts! 🐵

Planet of the Apes - Planet of the Apes, IDW Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Gameplay Mechanics and Balance in Planet of the Apes

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Planet of the Apes. The game is mainly cooperative, with players working together to survive on this wild ape planet. As a fan of teamwork, I appreciate the way this game pushes players to communicate and strategize.

You play as different characters from the classic film series. Everyone’s got special abilities! Remember that time I thought I could handle it alone with Cornelius’s skills? Yeah, let’s just say we all had a good laugh, and we would have been toast without teamwork.

The game unfolds through different scenarios. Each one takes you closer to completing a win. It feels like you are piecing together a wild puzzle with every turn! However, there is an unexpected twist. Occasionally, luck can mess with your best-laid plans. One day, we were just about to win when the event deck threw a curveball. It was both tense and hilarious, and a bit of a bummer if you prefer games purely based on skill.

But, hang tight! The balancing act in the game is handled well. It’s like walking a tightrope between challenge and frustration. The designers have left enough space for strategy to shine through and luck is just a side character not the main villain.

Are the mechanics perfect? Not quite. But they are engaging enough to keep you on your toes. So, if you love a mix of strategy and chance, you’ll enjoy this banana-loving frenzy.

Next up, I will peel back the layers of how players can interact and cooperate. Let’s just say, you’ll want to stick together!

Player Interaction and Cooperation in Planet of the Apes

When my buddies and I sat down for a round of Planet of the Apes, we quickly realized that teamwork was the name of the game. No solo heroes here, folks! Players must work together to save the world before the apes take over. The game deftly nudges all players into cooperation by making sure that individual actions impact everyone else, much like when I tried to commandeer the remote during movie night. Let’s just say, my friends didn’t appreciate that “leadership” move.

In Planet of the Apes, each player takes on the role of different characters like Taylor or Cornelius, working as a team to navigate through movie-inspired scenes. Our game nights were filled with side-splitting laughter, banter, and the occasional “What were you thinking?!” as someone made a move that no one else saw coming. The dynamic of the game is such that no single player can hog the spotlight, ensuring true collaboration.

The cooperative nature is both challenging and rewarding; however, it can sometimes feel like a game of herding cats. When my friend Dave decided to go rogue and do his own thing, the rest of us had to strategize twice as hard to get back on track. Nevertheless, it’s these unpredictable moments that add a dash of spice to the game.

Overall, Planet of the Apes encourages strong bonds, teamwork, and the occasional comedic mishap, making it a standout in game nights. Now, let’s swing into the next section like Tarzan and discuss the Component Quality and Artwork.

Component Quality and Artwork in Planet of the Apes

When it comes to the component quality of Planet of the Apes, imagine a movie set shrunk down to tabletop size. The game takes pride in its pieces, which are sturdy and well-crafted, unlike that time my friend’s Monopoly board fell apart mid-game, and we had to use sticky notes as properties!

The board itself is vivid and captures the jungly essence of the movies. The card stock is thick and feels like it could survive a hurricane—just what you want when you’re battling apes. Even the dice have a nice heft, making every roll feel significant. And let’s not forget the miniatures; they’re small but packed with detail. You can almost see the determination in their tiny plastic eyes, plotting your defeat.

Now, onto the artwork. If you’re a fan of the original films, the artwork is a treat. The cards have scenes and characters that bring nostalgia coursing through your veins faster than caffeine on a Monday morning. We found ourselves pausing just to appreciate some of the illustrations, which says a lot coming from a group that usually rushes through set-up.

But there are some quirks. The game does have some layout mishaps, where the text on the cards is a bit hard to read under dim light. So, keep a flashlight handy, or a bright lamp might do the trick!

Overall, I recommend Planet of the Apes for its impressive components and fantastic artwork. It’s a game that makes your eyes happy while your brain is busy plotting strategy.

Conclusion

So, that’s my two cents on Planet of the Apes. It offers a thrilling nostalgic ride with a theme that takes you back to the movie. The teamwork and cooperative play bring you closer to your friends, with enough laughs and challenges to enjoy yourselves. While the game isn’t perfect with some balance issues and luck involved, it’s still a fun experience. The components and artwork capture the essence of the film well, though sometimes the text can be a bit tricky to read. All in all, it’s a game worth trying out for fans of cooperative play. Just be ready for some unexpected twists! Well, that’s it for this review. Happy gaming!

3.8/5Overall Score
Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.