Frog Rush is a rather interesting game. The basic game play is based off Chinese Checkers: you're trying to get your frogs to the other end of the pond, and you can either move them individual spaces (based on how much you role on the dice) or hop over other frogs (again, if you roll that option). In addition to the strategy of moving your frogs while your opponent moves theirs, you also have the choice of sending the stork to eat one of your opponent's frogs (again, it's an option on the dice). It makes for a nice game, and it can require some thought when four players jam up the pond with all their moving frogs. The game play is pretty smooth, since the frogs are placed on top of round 1x1 studs, so moving them around on the board is easy. There are plenty of rules you can follow, but the instruction manual also suggests how you can alter the rules for a different game. This is a Lego product after all; one you've played with what came in the box, you redesign it and make your own rules.

While Frog Rush is primarily a board game, it also is a Lego set with some nice pieces. First of all, it comes with lots of frogs; 5 in each of the four color. (The yellow and brown frogs have made some appearances before, but the red frogs are brand new.) It also comes with a nice amount of 2x2 tiles with a single stud in the center: 12 in light bley and 9 in blue. Additionally, it comes with a 16x16 green plate. (No, not a base-plate, an actual plate.) And the stork is also a nice design. The overall layout of the board is simple and not as complex as some of the other Lego games. But it is also a cheaper product, and despite its simplicity it is fun to play.

Frog Rush isn't the most complex game out there, and the design of the game board isn't breathtaking. But it comes with a good bunch of nice pieces, and I know of many AFOLs who enjoyed playing it with me. It's a cheap and fun game to own, and if you have the chance to pick it up, I would recomend you do so.

This is the first Lego game I have tried. Even though I'm an AFOL, I bought this to play with my two boys, aged 3 and 8. This time round, I wasn't looking for great modelling techniques or nice parts use. The sole criteria for this is, as a family, do we enjoy playing with it?

Box/Instructions

The box might seem over-large at first sight, but this is so you can put the assembled game inside. Which makes sense, because you wouldn't want to make the game board up every time.

Parts

Obviously, frogs. 20 of them, in 4 colours. Perfect that Amazon Basin MOC you may have at the back of your mind. But there's also a bright green 16 x 16 baseplate which is handy to have. The Lego dice is a rather unusual part for me, but pretty much standard across the game range. I can't think of alternative use for the dice though.

The build

The build is appropriate for its target market, young children. It took about 15 minutes, and that wasn't rushing.

The game

It's a simplified version of Chinese Chequers, with an added wildcard element - the Stork, which can eat your opponent's frogs. My 8 year old son understood the rules very quickly. And my 3 year old enjoyed moving the frogs, and making the stork eat his brother's frogs. As with any game in my household, there was shouting, tantrums, allegations of cheating, and actual cheating. In other words, it passed the time on a wet afternoon perfectly.

Summary

A simple game with some nice parts. Given it's modest price, I can recommend this.

Pros:

- It is rather funny game, it reminds me of the checkers and the game requires to use you brains.
- The game is compact and it is built fast.

Cons:

- The stork constantly falls. You should remember where it had standed to put it to the right place after the falling.
- The frogs fall sometimes also.