Lava Run
⭐ 7,5/10
👥 2-5 players
🕗 45 minutes
👨👩👧👦 6+
Goal
The goal of the game is to be the first player to navigate your way across the lava to the home tiles of your opponents. Once you arrive, you collect a crystal and aim to gather all the crystals from each opponent, returning them to your own starting tile. The first player to accomplish this wins the game.
How to Play
Each player starts with their pawn on their starting tile in the lava field. You also have 3 tiles in your hand, each with different paths.
When it’s your turn, you must roll the dice. If you roll a 1, 2, or 3, you move your pawn forward that number of spaces. If you roll a 4, you can either move your pawn 4 spaces forward or place one of your hand tiles on the board. If you roll a 5, you must place a tile, and with a 6, you have the option to either place or remove a tile.
While moving across the board, you can “hit” other players, sending them back to their own starting tile. Some paths require you to move either 3 spaces forward or backward. Additionally, there are tiles with tunnels, allowing you to move faster between the tunnel tiles on the board.
Review
Lava Run is a cheerful and accessible board game, perfect for families with children aged 7 and up. The game combines strategy, a bit of luck, and a touch of competition, creating exciting moments around the table.
The concept is simple yet fun: you lay tiles to create a path through a field of glowing lava, collect gemstones, and try to return to the start as quickly as possible. The twist lies in the interaction between players. Roll the dice and decide whether to place, remove a tile, or move forward. However, if you land on the same tile as another player, you can joyfully send them back to the start – a playful yet frustrating dynamic that leads to lots of laughter (and sometimes a bit of drama).
For young children, the game is easy to follow and challenging enough to keep them engaged. In a different setting, like with adults or older children, it may lack the depth to keep them interested for a long time. However, the short playtime and simple rules make it a great choice for a quick, lighthearted gaming session.
In short, Lava Run is an ideal family game, especially with younger children. A fun choice to bring to the table during the holidays!
Island Escape
