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Have you ever wanted to be a super hero? Have you ever wanted to be a super hero who is also an animal? Have you ever wanted to be a cape wearing super animal climbing a skyscraper? No, me neither but Rhino Hero: Super Battle gives you that opportunity nonetheless! Making it’s way onto shelves six-years after it’s hugely under-promising predecessor Rhino Hero; does Super Battle sit atop the tower of triumph?
Building your way to success!
The rules to Super Battle are so deceptively simple that even your pet dog will understand them, although dogs don’t have thumbs so probably best not to play this with your dog…or any animal really.
ANYWHO! Similar to nearly every dexterity game on the market, Super Battle asks players to build a tower/skyscraper by placing walls and floors. You get to play as one of the four heroic heroes: Rhino Hero (Obviously), Giraffe Boy, Big E. and Batguin.
On a turn, players will add either tall walls or short walls to a dictated by a floor piece that has already been played. You may also have to add a dastardly spider monkey to the construction! Then you will add your own floor piece for someone else to build on.
After which, you will then roll the dice, and like King Kong himself, leap from floor to floor potentially conflicting with other players and engaging in a SUPER BATTLE! There is a defence dice (with all the even numbers) and an attack dice (with all the odd numbers). Both players roll their dice, highest number wins! Lowest number has to painstakingly remove their piece from the floor and as if holding a new born baby for the first time and place it gently onto the floor below.
Oh, if you knock the construction down you lose…that’s quite important so try not to. Whichever animal is highest when the tower is knocked down is the winner!
Okay, I will level with you. Start scratching away at the surface and you’ll realise the theme here is thinner than an old person’s 50-year-old handkerchief. Why are these animals climbing the building? Why are spider monkey’s evil? Why are the heroes fighting each other!? I just don’t know! But, never fear, because this is the best part of Super Battle.
It. Doesn’t. Matter. When playing Super Battle, you’re not going to get yourself caught up in an engrossing story or deep, brain burning decisions. Instead, you will be blessed with the sound of laughter and mockery as your friends attempt to master their trembling fingers by placing a piece of card on top of another pile of wobbly waving wonky cards.
Super Battle emulates the perfect crescendo; a smooth and circumspect event but as the skyscraper grows, the tension begins to build until the grand finale of everything toppling over and exploding like a firework of urban landscape.
Yet – yes there is always a ‘yet’ – those of you who are firmly cemented into the board gaming world will have noticed a startling problem. To win the game, you are relying on dice rolls. I know, it’s like a dagger to the heart. This is the major problem with Super Battle. If you can look past this issue, it is a joy to play.
Cutsie Cartoons
Super Battle’s glaring yellow box is so bright you need sunglasses whenever you walk into the room. It’s like a smack in the eyeballs. However, every inch of artwork and design is positively overflowing with positivity. Whilst the artwork on the walls is incredibly well-thought (brick walls on the outside, decoration and rooms on the inside), the highlight are the meeples. Just look at how adorable these are!
The walls as well! The walls are made out of high-quality card which after many play throughs, simply refuse to fray and crease horribly.
Personal Point
Whilst all these intoxicatingly bright colours are a feast for the eyes, it has ignited some of the more interesting debates I have had in my life. Endeavouring to convince people to play what essentially looks like a children’s TV show is more problematic than I thought.
‘If you’re up for a laugh we could play Super Battle?’
‘…what is that?’
‘No it’s really good I promise!’
‘Looks like CBeebies vomited’
‘It’s like a children’s game, but it’s really for adults’
‘I’m not playing a children’s game now untie me!’
Anyway. Super Battle is the ONLY dexterity game I own and pops out whenever we have friends, family or muggles round and the reaction has always been the same. The house fills with laughter and cheer which no other game in my personal collection manages to achieve.
Final Thoughts on Rhino Hero: Super Battle
Easy, simple, fun and well designed. If you want a thematic experience then go away. Have they gone? Good, now, Super Battle is charming and hilariously fun. If you want to kick back and laugh with others, this is the game for you and at a seriously competitive price! Should you buy Super Battle if you already own Rhino Hero? Yes. Bin Rhino Hero, and purchase Super Battle!
Bryan out.
