Dr. Reiner Knizia has rolled out another quick-play family game on Kickstarter, this time with a North American push behind it. Fruit Island went live on 12 May from Analog Game Studios, bringing the German designer's tropical harvest game to backers in roughly 15-minute games for 2 to 4 players.
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Find events near youIt plays as a push-your-luck race. On your turn you move around the island picking fruit, but the gorilla wanders the same paths, and if it catches up before you reach the trading post you lose your haul. Bank too early and your scoring tile is small. Push too far and you walk back to your starting space empty-handed. That's the whole knot of decisions, dressed in a tropical theme.
Knizia needs no introduction. Tigris and Euphrates, Lost Cities, Modern Art, last month's UK hit Rebirth, over 800 designs and a Spiel des Jahres in 2008 for Keltis. Fruit Island sits in his lighter family lane alongside Pickomino and L.L.A.M.A., and at 15 minutes a session it's the kind of filler that gets played four times in a row.
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See how it worksThe Kickstarter is the first proper North American edition (the game has appeared in other regions previously). UK gamers can still back via the platform, though Kickstarter shipping costs are worth checking before pledging. If you fancy a quick light Knizia for your group, round up a few friends here and give it a spin.
Sources: Analog Game Studios Kickstarter | BoardGameGeek | Games Press
