Rapa Nui (2005)

About this game

This started life as a computer game by Ingo Althöfer and has been worked into a board game by Reinhold Wittig. The board is in the shape of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and has 45 spaces. Each player has 2 pieces which are placed on the board. On a turn a piece is moved to an adjacent empty space and a wooden die-holder is then put in the place just moved from. A die is then rolled and put in the holder. After the first 9 moves, each turn also has a second element. This is to remove an empty holder from the board or to roll a die and remove a die from the board with the same number (thus leaving an empty holder). The aim is to be the last player to be able to move. You need to be able to corner off an area for yourself and also to be in positions where removal of dice will benefit your future movement.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 3.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.