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 delivers gripping teamwork with dice-driven drama. Players love strategizing through iconic movie scenarios, but chance plays a bigger role than hoped. A must for fans, but strategy purists may find the luck factor frustrating.

  • Gameplay Mechanics
  • Theme and Storyline Integration
  • Component Quality and Artwork
  • Replayability and Player Dynamics
3.5/5Overall Score

"Planet of the Apes" offers cooperative play with cinematic storytelling, but dice luck affects its strategic depth.

Specs
  • Number of Players: 1-4
  • Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 14+
  • Game Type: Cooperative Adventure
  • Components: Miniatures, Cards, Dice, Board
  • Publisher: IDW Games
  • Designer: Richard Launius
Pros
  • Great teamwork focus
  • Cinematic storytelling
  • Retro artwork style
  • Engaging scenarios
Cons
  • Luck-driven mechanics
  • Mixed component quality
  • Limited strategic depth
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Welcome to my review of the board game Planet of the Apes. Get ready to embark on a banana-fueled journey with your fellow humans-turned-apes. From the thrill of strategizing your escape to the odd, yet charming components that make up this game, we’ll explore it all. Expect the unexpected, with some monkey business along the way. Grab your banana, err, I mean, popcorn, and let’s swing through this wild ride together!

How It Plays

Planet of the Apes takes you on a wild ride through a post-apocalyptic world populated by, you guessed it, apes! Gather your trusty friends, because you’ll need them to survive this epic adventure.

Setting Up

To start, you’ll need to lay out the board, which depicts iconic scenes from the movie. Each player grabs their character card—choose wisely, folks. Shuffle the event cards and resource tokens like a pro. Don’t forget to place the monkey tokens strategically. When I say ‘strategically,’ I mean randomly because life’s unpredictable (just like the apes).

Gameplay

Players take turns navigating the land, rolling dice to see how well they tackle challenges. Strategy? Definitely. But a healthy dose of luck too. Each turn, players face unique events and work together to overcome obstacles. Use your character’s special abilities to get an edge, but watch out—the apes have plans of their own! Teamwork makes the dream work, folks, and in this case, surviving ape attacks.

Winning the Game

Victory is yours if players make it through all the scenarios without getting captured or wiped out by the apes. Reach the final showdown, and you might just save humanity—or at least, preserve what’s left of it. Beware, though, because if luck isn’t on your side, the apes might just win this round.

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

Gameplay Mechanics and Strategy: A Jungle of Tactics in Planet of the Apes

I still remember the time when my buddies and I gathered for an epic night of pizza, laughter, and the board game Planet of the Apes. We thought we’d be swinging from trees, but turns out, we swung from one unpredictable situation to another! The game mechanics are as wild as a monkey on a sugar high. Players cooperate to survive on an island packed with challenges straight from the movie.

Let’s talk about the cooperative play. It’s great for building bonds, not so great for my tendency to hog all the bananas (ahem, cards). Everyone has their own roles with unique abilities. Now, coordinating this group can feel like herding cats, or in this case, apes. It takes strategy. A lot of it. Or, just choose to ignore advice like my pal Bob who always thought he could outsmart the deck. Spoiler alert: Bob’s strategies are questionable, but his enthusiasm is a 10/10.

Luck plays a part, which can be frustrating. Rolling the dice can sometimes feel like rolling the dice in a game of luck rather than strategy. It has moments where you scratch your head thinking, “Did the apes design this?” However, planning and optimizing moves are key. I’m not a fan of relying heavily on luck as it can make the game more whimsical than strategic. Overall, I give the game mechanics a solid 3 stars out of 5.

But don’t swing away yet; next, we’re exploring how the game’s theme and story line wrap you in an ape’s embrace!

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

Theme and Storyline: The Core of ‘Planet of the Apes’

Ah, the world of ‘Planet of the Apes,’ where apes have taken over and humans are just trying to keep their heads on their shoulders—literally. This board game does a fabulous job of roping you right into the storyline. Based on the 1968 film, it’s like living inside a classic movie but without the popcorn. Who needs snacks when you’ve got a story this gripping?

You feel the tension right away. The game pulls you into the theme with scenarios that mimic the movie’s highlights. You might find yourself yelling at your friends, “It’s a madhouse!” as you work to survive in the jungle. One memorable moment for me was when I, playing as one of the marooned astronauts, tried to sneak past an ape patrol. Spoiler: it didn’t end well, but it was hilarious.

What’s more? The game’s mechanics tie beautifully into its theme. When you’re making choices, they aren’t random. Each decision feels like a strategic step in a much broader narrative. It’s a delicate dance between being true to the film and being an awesome game. Just be prepared for those moments when luck isn’t on your side. But hey, that’s life—or board games, at least.

As you delve deeper into the game, you’ll appreciate how the storyline elements are seamless with the gameplay. It’s an experience that keeps you on your toes and chuckles rolling.

Ready to talk about component quality and artwork? Buckle up, because the next section’s got eye candy and tactile thrills galore!

Component Quality and Artwork in Planet of the Apes

When it comes to board games, you want pieces that feel as good as they look. Planet of the Apes tries hard to impress. And I’ll admit, it does a decent job at it. The minute I opened the box, I felt like I’d been transported back to the ’70s. The game board has a kind of retro vibe, making me think of those vintage sci-fi movie posters.

The plastic miniatures, though, are a bit of a mixed bag. Some of them look like they’ve had better days, while others stand as mighty as King Kong himself. I can’t be too picky, though. These little guys have a lot of personality, which makes it fun when my friends and I smack ’em down on the board.

One thing that really stands out is the attention to detail in the artwork. The cards feature illustrations that capture the grim, post-apocalyptic world of the apes. They’ve got that menacing look that might make you feel like you’re up against an army of angry chimps, ready to toss bananas at you. Okay, not really, but you get the idea.

The game pieces are sturdy enough to withstand the occasional frustrated toss across the room. You know, when your strategy backfires, and your buddies laugh like a bunch of hyenas. Overall, I’d say the quality is solid, even if it’s not completely out of this world.

But hey, the next time we gather around the table, I’m ready to explore how replayability and player dynamics keep us coming back for more monkey business.

Replayability and Player Dynamics in Planet of the Apes

Gather ’round folks, because we’re about to discuss what it means to swing through the jungle repeatedly without losing your bananas. ‘Planet of the Apes’, the board game, delivers a cooperative experience that focuses on teamwork and strategy. It’s like a band of apes planning a heist, except instead of avoiding lasers and guards, you’re dodging humans (same thing, really).

The game’s scenarios provide unique challenges each time you play, ensuring you won’t walk away feeling like you’ve just re-watched the same chain of monkey drama. However, the replayability largely hinges on how much you enjoy working with your team. If you prefer going solo like a rogue ape, this might not be your jungle.

Player dynamics take center stage with this game. Success depends on strong communication and working together to complete the objectives. Discussions can get as heated as a troop of chimps fighting over the last banana. Be prepared for your social skills to go through a workout worthy of Tarzan himself.

Strategy-wise, there’s just enough depth to keep your brain engaged without frying it like a banana flambé. Keep in mind, though, there are moments of luck that can tip the scales, so if the dice gods aren’t on your side, you might end up with a few more monkey wrenches than you’d like.

Do I recommend ‘Planet of the Apes’? If you enjoy a game where teamwork is key and you don’t mind a bit of luck in your strategy, absolutely. It’s a great excuse to gather your friends, play out your own ape-topia, and see who really deserves to lead the troop. Go bananas!

Conclusion

Well folks, we’ve reached the end of our jungle adventure. ‘Planet of the Apes’ is a wild ride! The game’s theme and storyline plunge you into a cinematic experience, though some mechanics might leave you scratching your head like a confused chimp. The miniatures could use a touch-up, but the cards make up for it with solid artwork. If you can handle the team dynamics and luck-heavy moments, this one’s worth a swing through the trees. Perfect for fans of cooperative play, it’s like a blockbuster movie night minus the popcorn. Just remember, the dice won’t always be in your favor. Now go forth, assemble your tribe, and conquer the ape world!

3.5/5Overall 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.