It’s the annual Mountain Maker Tournament, and moles have traveled from all across the land to compete in a battle that takes place above and below ground. A hearty batch of bragging rights is at stake as just one mole will be declared the “Top Tunneler” following six, fierce rounds in which they will show off their skills not only as a molehill and mountain maker but also as a strategist.
In Mountains Out of Molehills, the new light strategy game from The Op, 2-4 players can take on the role of a mole to build, topple, and win!
Players will choose their mole — Clay, Loama, Pete, or Sandy — and draft cards that they will use to strategize their moves on the lower (underground) board ahead of time. On each turn, players will reveal their pre-planned moves as they work to build molehills on the top (above ground) board. As the game goes on, the molehills pile up into mountains, and that means they can topple!
Ultimately, players want to gain control, but wait — there’s a twist. It doesn’t matter who has the most molehills. Oh no, it’s about who controls the base of each mountain because moles are underground dwellers known for tunneling (not building) so the lowest molehill in each mountain secures ownership of every molehill piled on top of it. From there, all the pieces on the top of each base molehill are counted and the player with the most will win the game.
Mountains Out of Molehills is an impressive-looking game that older members of the family and their friends will love. Board games that extend the fun across multiple levels of play bring a tactile experience to the table that can be a lot more compelling than a traditional flat board.
That said, this game is recommended for players ages 9 and up and parents will want to keep that in mind. The instructions for gameplay might be a little much for younger players to grasp, but building and toppling can be a lot of fun on its own.
When it comes time to host a Mountain Maker Tournament at your home, be sure to set aside 45-60 minutes for gameplay.
May the best mole win!
