Think Media Rush Hour Game Review

Rush Hour is a fun game that mixes puzzles with strategy, and forces you to think a few moves ahead in order to finish a level.  The concept of the game is relatively simple, where you try to your ice cream truck off of the game board by moving the other pieces around one at a time.  It might seem simple, but the trick is that all of the pieces can only move in the direction that they are pointing, and you must make a clear path for your ice cream truck to escape "rush hour."

The game comes with (and these terms are from the box) 11 aggravating autos, 4 troublesome trucks, and the ice cream truck.  There is also a plastic playing grid, 40 puzzle challenge cards, and some brief rules that go over the basic game play.  On each of the cards, there is a picture of the vehicles, and to start the round, you place the vehicles on to the grid exactly as in the picture.  To begin the game, you set up the board, and then begin moving the vehicles in order to create a path for your ice cream truck to get out of gridlock.  The vehicles can only move forward (or backward if you want to edit the rules slightly), and the object is to slide them out of the way without the ability to turn or move them off of the playing grid.

The challenge to the game is how hard the ice cream truck is to get out of the maze, and the 40 cards range from beginner level grids up to expert level, with it getting harder and harder as you move up the levels.  It can be a really easy game for some, but it could be equally as hard for those that don't want to try and think a few moves ahead.  From that standpoint, it is a lot like chess, as you want to try and figure out which vehicles you will have to move if you move the one you want to.  It can be very challenging, but one of the best things a game like this does, is develop critical thinking, help with decision making skills, and provide fun that can be had with just 1 player.

Rush Hour is a fun game for people of all ages, and is recommended for kids ages 8 and up.  I am an adult, and I have fun trying to figure it out on the advanced level, so I know other will as well.  There are several different versions of the Rush Hour game out there right now, some of which have a red car or a limo that is trying to get out of the traffic, but this one has the ice cream truck.  The game is one that takes thought, but the best part is that you can either play with other people, or take on the challenge by yourself.  This widens the appeal of the game, and I think raises its level of value.  Some of the vehicles may be a little small to be around younger kids, so be careful with that, but I think that this could be a great family game.  Selling for under $20.00 for any of the sets, it is a fun option that could be the perfect gift for a birthday or holiday.