How To Play: Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes mixes teamwork, crisis cards, and resource planning. Play with friends, share info, and don't let bananas distract you! Learn how to play planet of the apes by working together, handling crisis cards smartly, and managing resources. Trust me, yelling "It’s a madhouse!" is optional, but fun.

Overview

If you’ve ever yelled at your friends because they let the apes win again, then you’re in the right place. I’ve played Planet of the Apes so much I hear Dr. Zaius in my dreams. This guide tells you how to play Planet of the Apes, with a quick outline of the rules and the best strategies for pulling off a win (or at least not being blamed for losing).

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 4 Personality Role Figures
  • 12 Scenario Sheets
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 5 Dice
  • 4 Personality Boards
  • 24 Action Tokens
  • 34 Crisis Cards
  • 29 Encounter Cards
  • 18 Journey Cards
  • 4 Reference Cards
  • 1 Event Marker
  • 12 Wound Tokens
  • 12 Ape Army Tokens
  • 10 Human Tokens
  • 25 Resource Tokens

How To Play Planet of the Apes: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. First, unpack the game box and separate all the cards, tokens, and boards.
  2. Next, each player chooses a Role board and places it in front of them.
  3. Shuffle the Encounter and Crisis cards. Place them on the table within reach.
  4. Now, place the Ape and Human tokens on their starting spaces on the main board.
  5. Finally, make sure everyone grabs some snacks. Trust me, you’ll need energy for the chaos ahead!

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw and resolve a Crisis card. Try not to panic when you see what’s coming!
  2. After that, work with your friends to solve the crisis using cards from your hand and your Role abilities.
  3. Take turns in clockwise order. Each player completes the same steps: draw, resolve, and teamwork.
  4. Progress through the story by completing objectives shown on the cards.
  5. Don’t forget: every choice you make can help or mess up the team. No pressure!

Winning

  1. Your team wins if you complete all the main story objectives before the Crisis deck runs out.
  2. Celebrate by shouting “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” or something equally dramatic.

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. If you run out of Human or Ape tokens, bad things happen—check the rulebook and brace yourself.
  2. Sometimes, special event cards will pop up and change the game. Always read these cards out loud so everyone stays in the loop.
  3. If the Crisis deck empties before you finish your objectives, the apes win and you might have to eat a banana as a forfeit!

I have played Planet of the Apes with my own wild bunch of friends. Believe me, the teamwork is real, the tension is bananas, and now you know how to play planet of the apes like a pro.

Best Planet of the Apes Strategies

Unleash the Apes: The Secret Power of Teamwork

Why Talk Matters

First, keep those mouths moving! If you don’t share info in Planet of the Apes, your group will fall apart faster than my willpower near free snacks. Coordination wins games.

Spread the Skills

Next, every role has a special trick. Assign them smartly:

  1. Match roles to player strengths. Good at planning? Grab the Leader.
  2. Switch up who takes charge. Avoid bossy apes.
  3. Remind each other of unique powers often.

Plan Every Turn

After that, focus on group goals. Before picking actions, pause and ask, “How does this help the team?” You’ll win more, and your friends will stop blaming you for everything.

How To Play planet of the apes Like a Pro

Finally, don’t try to be the hero ape by yourself. Trust your team and keep the chatter going. That’s the answer to how to play planet of the apes (and win, without fights).

Crisis Card Chaos: Outsmart the Apes!

Spot Deadly Crisis Cards Early

I learned the hard way: crisis cards can ruin your day fast. Always scan the crisis deck first and note which ones could spell disaster. Knowing what’s lurking helps your group prepare.

  1. Check the top crisis when you can.
  2. Plan your actions around revealed threats.
  3. Warn your friends!

Control the Damage

Sometimes you can’t avoid a crisis. In my games, we lost badly when we ignored damage control. Stay on top of game effects.

  1. Keep resources handy for emergencies.
  2. Let the least vital character take a hit if needed.
  3. Balance risk and rewards each round.

Manage Timing for Maximum Impact

Timing matters. If you solve a crisis card too soon, you might waste efforts. Too late and—boom—apocalypse. Here’s how to play planet of the apes smarter:

  1. Time team actions for big crisis moments.
  2. Don’t fix every crisis right away.
  3. Save strong cards for the nastiest threats.

Resource Optimization Secrets for Planet of the Apes

Spend Wisely

When I played, I saw that throwing all your resources at one problem gets you nowhere. Instead, spread them out and cover more ground.

  1. Save some for surprise crisis cards.
  2. Back up your pals when they run short.
Plan For Upcoming Rounds

Every turn is a new mess. I always try to peek ahead and stash resources, because you never know when things will go bananas in how to play planet of the apes.

  1. Look at the board for clues.
  2. Save bigger resources for harder events.
Trade And Negotiate

Turn your leftovers into power! I often trade useless bits with friends. It helps everyone last longer and shows how sneaky you can be at how to play planet of the apes.

  1. Offer trades that help both sides.
  2. Push for deals when others are stuck.

Go Ape or Go Home!

Alright, fellow ape-wranglers, there you have it. Between role teamwork, dealing with those crisis cards, and not hoarding all the resources for your banana smoothie fund, you now know how to play planet of the apes like a true simian strategist. I’ve made the mistakes (don’t ask about the Great Ape Argument of round three). Use these tips and you won’t just survive—you might actually enjoy working together. So gather your friends, embrace your inner chimp, and remember, it’s just a game… unless you lose, then it’s personal.

Want to know what we think of Planet of the Apes? Read our detailed review of Planet of the Apes here

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.