Niagara is a different experience from the usual titles that make it to our Meeple Guild table. While new to us, the game itself is not young—designer Thomas Liesching’s river-running gem hunt first appeared in 2004. The fact that it’s still in print says plenty before you even lift the lid. The box art is striking too; it’s the kind of cover that jumps out at you from a shelf.
At heart, Niagara is what I’d call a gimmick game—not in a negative sense, but in that it does something memorable with its physical presentation. (Recent examples we’ve covered in that category include Bloomchasers and the upcoming Cocoons.) Here, the board becomes a 3D landscape, draping over the two halves of the box to create a convincing waterfall at the river’s edge.
The river itself is a contour in the board filled with clear plastic discs that act as the water current. After every player’s turn, the discs flow downstream, pushing canoes closer to the brink. This tactile river mechanism is clever, eye-catching, and surprisingly smooth in practice.
Gameplay supports three to five players, with higher counts increasing player interaction—including the ability to steal gems from opponents. That may not sit well with every group, but it adds tension and unpredictability.
Each player controls two wooden canoes, paddling into the current to collect gems from five caches—two of which are perilously close to the falls. Movement is governed by a hand of cards numbered one through six. You must eventually play each card before refreshing your hand, making timing and foresight the core of the decision space.
Victory can be achieved in several ways:
• one gem of each color
• four gems of one color
• seven gems of any colors
Multiple winning conditions are always welcome and give players flexibility in their approach.
Of course, once you have a gem, you’d better head home fast—because gems can be stolen. In a five-player game, up to 10 canoes can be in the water at once, leading to some lively clashes. Lose both canoes over the falls, and you’ll pay a gem to get one back into play.
Overall, the components are excellent, the river mechanic is delightful, and the game is mechanically smooth. However, at our table—where the youngest member is brushing up against 40—Niagara didn’t fully capture our deeper interest or spark the level of engagement we hoped for.
Even so, it earns a strong recommendation with one caveat:
Niagara shines brightest for younger players or family groups.
The box suggests ages 8+, and we agree—families with kids in the 8–14 range will get the most from this charming, physical, and visually creative design. It remains available through Zoch Verlag (www.zoch-verlag.com).
Its pedigree supports that conclusion too, having collected an impressive list of awards, including:
-
2008 Årets Spel – Best Family Game (Winner)
-
2006 Golden Geek – Best Kids’ Board Game (Nominee)
-
2006 Golden Geek – Best Family Board Game (Nominee)
-
2005 Spiel des Jahres (Winner & Nominee)
-
2005 Mensa Select (Winner)
-
2005 Japan Boardgame Prize – Best Foreign Game for Beginners
-
2005 DSP – Best Family/Adult Game (2nd Place)
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Don’t Go Over the Falls as You Collect Gems
At heart, Niagara is what I’d call a gimmick game—not in a negative sense, but in that it does something memorable with its physical presentation. (Recent examples we’ve covered in that category include Bloomchasers and the upcoming Cocoons.) Here, the board becomes a 3D landscape, draping over the two halves of the box to create a convincing waterfall at the river’s edge.
The river itself is a contour in the board filled with clear plastic discs that act as the water current. After every player’s turn, the discs flow downstream, pushing canoes closer to the brink. This tactile river mechanism is clever, eye-catching, and surprisingly smooth in practice.
Gameplay supports three to five players, with higher counts increasing player interaction—including the ability to steal gems from opponents. That may not sit well with every group, but it adds tension and unpredictability.
Each player controls two wooden canoes, paddling into the current to collect gems from five caches—two of which are perilously close to the falls. Movement is governed by a hand of cards numbered one through six. You must eventually play each card before refreshing your hand, making timing and foresight the core of the decision space.
Victory can be achieved in several ways:
• one gem of each color
• four gems of one color
• seven gems of any colors
Multiple winning conditions are always welcome and give players flexibility in their approach.
Of course, once you have a gem, you’d better head home fast—because gems can be stolen. In a five-player game, up to 10 canoes can be in the water at once, leading to some lively clashes. Lose both canoes over the falls, and you’ll pay a gem to get one back into play.
Overall, the components are excellent, the river mechanic is delightful, and the game is mechanically smooth. However, at our table—where the youngest member is brushing up against 40—Niagara didn’t fully capture our deeper interest or spark the level of engagement we hoped for.
Even so, it earns a strong recommendation with one caveat:
Niagara shines brightest for younger players or family groups.
The box suggests ages 8+, and we agree—families with kids in the 8–14 range will get the most from this charming, physical, and visually creative design. It remains available through Zoch Verlag (www.zoch-verlag.com).
Its pedigree supports that conclusion too, having collected an impressive list of awards, including:
2008 Årets Spel – Best Family Game (Winner)
2006 Golden Geek – Best Kids’ Board Game (Nominee)
2006 Golden Geek – Best Family Board Game (Nominee)
2005 Spiel des Jahres (Winner & Nominee)
2005 Mensa Select (Winner)
2005 Japan Boardgame Prize – Best Foreign Game for Beginners
2005 DSP – Best Family/Adult Game (2nd Place)
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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