Kids games have massively improved since I was a young one. I am thoroughly enjoying this new world of board games beyond Mouse Trap and Ker Plunk (not that these are bad). The range available in this modern board gaming era is incredible and the games are just as good for adults as they are for children, they are that enjoyable and Stomp the Plank is another that ticks many of the boxes for all board gaming fans.

Elephant Pirates

I do think the theme of the game is beautiful. The minis have been very well designed and the animals as pirates is just such an exciting concept. My young ones are fascinated by the artwork of the game. You can see their imaginations running wild as they look over the box art and then into the game.

The majority of the game has been utilized as well. By this I mean the box forms a part of the game in creating the ship. There are magnets encased within as well to attach the planks to. It has been well designed and created.

Treasure.

The young mischievous elephant pirates are after captain Giraffe’s gold. They will be looking to avoid getting caught, if they do they are forced to walk that plank.

A game for 2-4 people where players take turns at trying to steal the treasure. On a player’s turn they will draw cards from the deck looking to avoid duplicating the items. There are 7 different items in the deck and a player can draw up to 6 times. They can choose to stop drawing further cards after each card, and distribute the treasure amongst the other pirate elephants. However if they duplicate an item, the captain catches them and they move 1 square along their plank.

Play continues until a pirate’s plank topples and the elephant falls into the sea. You have your loser. OR you can keep playing until you have an ultimate winner.

Set Sail

The strategy in this game is really quite brilliant. A real gamble in the game mechanics. Players need to decide whether they play more cautiously or go all in for full risk and reward. If you are that player that can draw 6 different items then you automatically win. However the odds are against you here and you will more likely be taking 1 step along the plank.

Playing it safe and stopping your draw early to distribute treasure amongst your fellow pirates is less risky. This treasure is placed at the end of your opponent’s plank, effectively tipping the scale and adding weight/stress to the magnetic plank. If the elephant then moves along it, the danger is heightened further.

As well as teaching young ones the risks on gambling, albeit, mine currently just keep trying to get 6 different items (as my youngest did this first time playing the game). It also teaches the young players some fine motor skills in moving the elephant and placing it as well as the treasure to not knock their plank off. We’ve been a little bit flexible here with ours and not finished the game when they have knocked it down straight away. But as they get older, this clumsy nature will not be treated with such leniency. They will lose.

The game is over very quickly, typically taking 10-20 minutes at its absolute limit. What is great is it is easy to reset and go again straight away. Set Sail for the next adventure!

Final Thoughts

Stomp the plank is a truly beautiful family friendly game that checks so many positive board gaming features that all the family can enjoy. It is not a game purely for little children. Adults will enjoy this just as much as children. The game really highlights those cautious players and those slightly greedy/high risk players that go for maximum reward. Which will you be?