First Rat

I didn't go into First Rat expecting anything. It was a really fun game though with several strategy options. It is also nice to have a good point based strategy game that is moving pawn(s) to the end style play - a kind of game that's relegated mostly to the American style luck based game. Definitely a keeper for us.

First Rat is an easy game to get into and teach. I prefer it at higher player counts (4 or 5), have played at 2 and there is not as much interaction and getting in each other's way. A bit more competition at higher count. Cute theme.

Fun with 2 players as it is with 3 or 4. Really easy to learn and set up, but a number of neat strategies to explore. Just a solid game. Also really cute art!

Things I thought it did well: very well themed, high production value with cute and well done components and art, fairly simple gameplay. Things I thought could have been better: it's a bit of a point salad, so when you're first learning, it's a lot to keep track of. Bottom line: I think it's a very good game and the theme is so strong it prompts a lot of amusing commentary. For many people, I think it would be different, but it wasn't love at first game for me (Dune: Imperium, Wingspan, Roam, and Akropolis were to give you a sense of what kind of board games I enjoy), and I didn't immediately want to play First Rat again.

Excellent worker movement game where you have to constantly compete against other players for being the first to score in different tracks. Lots of decisions need to be made without luck bei g a factor. Thoroughly enjoy this game that plays quickly but has some crunchiness to it as you determine the best path to victory based on what other players are doing.

Very enjoyable and quick to play. There are multiple ways to get points to explore and the theme stands out. The main decision about moving one rat really far versus all your rats a little is interesting, combined with the temptation of stealing those oh so powerful store items.

I personally liked it. I liked the resource gathering and building up special powers through comic books and backpacks. It was a miss with one of my daughters however. She felt it played too long and over stayed it's welcome. It did play a little long in my opinion as well, but I still enjoyed it. But, since we always play games together as a family it probably won't see a lot of play.