It suddenly feels as if you’re playing an entirely different game. This portion of the game switches from a large-scale hunt to a more focused battle. That sense of climbing into your opponent’s skull and deciphering their tactical approach still exists, albeit in altered form.

Alternatively, if you're after a more hands-on experience hunting sharks and saving the folk of the '80s, Jaws the board game, developed by Prospero Hall and published by Ravensburger, is a superb alternative. The game features asymmetrical teams, is for 2-4 players and plays in around 45 minutes! GameplayFor a game that looks to be a cat and mouse-esque film port, this is fantastic. There is no denying it excellently links to the cult classic, with each card containing a quote from the film. It's impressively designed, and I guarantee your performance in Phase One is not a surefire route to winning. Speaking of, the shark has an equally tough job. The shark needs to stay hidden from the heroes as best it can, not allowing them to find him, whilst also devouring the poor people of Amity Island. If a swimmer vanishes from the board, you can have a solid guess at where the shark is. This is the beginning of Jaws' best scenes. The Orca. The vessel that could either become the greatest creation in terms of shark hunting or simply shark chow. The boat is split into eight sections on a 2x8 grid, shown through cards. The cards are double-sided to show gradual wear and tear and can be removed to show full destruction.

This is the beginning of Jaws’ best scenes. The Orca. The vessel that could either become the greatest creation in terms of shark hunting or simply shark chow. The boat is split into eight sections on a 2×8 grid, shown through cards. The cards are double-sided to show gradual wear and tear and can be removed to show full destruction. The heroes now need to kill the shark, like in the Jaws movie. Dependent on how well they did at preventing locals from becoming lunch, they’ll receive item cards to help them. They do a range of things, centred around hindering and slowing the shark. Their goal is to get the shark to zero health.

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Generally, it doesn't matter too much who you play as. You'll always be working towards a common goal. The characters have different focuses in Phase One, dependent on their role in the film. You'll have a job to do, but you'll work together to do it. The game's main requirement is cooperative decision making, but it's not that simple! You've got to work together to ensure the shark is always on the run and scared. Without that fear, they won't see things as risks, and that's dangerous. Their focus is keeping hidden and taking sly attempts to gain strength. Allowing leeway to do as they please will mean they'll be using their abilities to eat more rather than escape. The game is asymmetrical from the get-go. Phase One is effectively a game of cat and mouse... or man and shark. Working together, Hooper, Quint and Brody must attach two barrels to the shark. Phase One Listening to the opposition's justifications for their ideas makes you feel like they'd be better sharks at times, but you can't necessarily guarantee it. Being the shark is a tremendously unique feeling. A mad one. You can’t describe the thrill of being chased by the people around the table without any limitations. Risks are yours to take, and when they pay off it's a mad feeling. The temptation to add to the madness is incredible when it's legal, and stirring the pot is crazy fun. There is no expectation of you to speak at all, but any smile, time taken, or flinch sparks outrage. Basically, each round is great - but for slightly different reasons. This two-in-one approach makes sure Jaws stays fresh throughout, which isn't a small achievement for a game that takes two or more hours to finish. As a result, you'll have a blast playing it. For the second act, you flip the main board. Now you’re on board The Orca, Quint’s vessel. The ship is sinking, like the latter stages of Jaws. (Spoiler alert! But come on, everyone’s seen Jaws, right?) Now the humans have to battle the shark in a tense, tight stand-off. You’ll have to use action and strategy cards to both defend the poor Orca boat. At the same time, you’ll try to defend yourself from the relentless, hungry shark!