Get Bit! Dolphin Die Game Expansion Review

The Basics:

• For ages 6 and up (publisher suggests 7+)
• For 3 to 5 players
• Approximately 15 minutes to complete

Geek Skills:

• Counting & Math
• Logical & Critical Decision Making
• Strategy & Tactics
• Risk vs. Reward
• Hand/Resource Management

Learning Curve:

• Child – Easy
• Adult – Easy

Theme & Narrative:

• Shark attacking dolphins? SHARK ATTACKING DOLPHINS!!!!

Endorsements:

• Gamer Geek rejected!
• Parent Geek approved!
• Child Geek approved!

Overview

As you swim through the ocean to the rescue ship, your heart is full of dread as you see the shark fins circling closer and closer. Fear pushes you as you know an attack could come at any moment. Suddenly, a shark charges and you can see its teeth below the waves! Seconds before the shark reaches you, a dolphin smashes into it! The dolphin saved you this time, but it’s best not to rely on luck or tempt fate. SWIM!

Get Bit! Dolphin Die game expansion, designed by Dave Chalker and published by Mayday Games, is comprised of 1 Dolphin die (a customized six-sided die) and 6 Dolphin cards. The level of quality presented in the expansion is the same as the core game, Get Bit! Deluxe, which is required to play.

Game Set Up

To play using this expansion, complete the initial game set up as normal.

Second, give each player a Dolphin card. This replaces their highest numbered card in their hand. The replaced number card is returned to the game box.

Third, place the Dolphin die to one side of the game playing area.

This completes the additional game set up steps when using this expansion.

Note: We will not be covering how to play the game in this article. If you are not familiar with Get Bit! Deluxe or want to learn more about how the game is set up and played, please read the Get Bit! Deluxe review.

Dolphins to the Rescue!

Game play is more or less unchanged when using this game expansion except for one small additional rule. When a Dolphin card is played, the Dolphin die is rolled BEFORE the Pirate figures are moved in the line. The Dolphin die is rolled once per player who placed their Dolphin card this round.

The Dolphin die has six different values. These are “0”, “2”, “3” ,”4″, and “6”. Based on the number value rolled this round, the players will do the following:

• A roll of “0” means the player’s Pirate is sent to the back of the line.
• A roll of “2” – “4” is the player’s card value for this round and their Pirate figure line order is shifted in accordance to the other card values played this round.
• A roll of “6” is the equivalent to the highest possible number value on a card.

Two or more players who roll the same Dolphin die value are considered “tied” and their Pirate figures do not move as a result.

To learn more about Dolphin Die, visit the expansion’s web page.

Prediction

Essentially, this expansion introduces a card that has a random value each time it’s rolled. That’s interesting, but I’m not convinced it’s necessary. I think the Child and Parent Geeks will enjoy it, but introducing a random game element into a game that doesn’t need it might be poo-pooed by the Gamer Geeks. Overall, however, I don’t see the game expansion disrupting the game play or making the game longer as a result of its use.

Final Word

As expected, the Child Geeks and the Parent Geeks enjoyed the game expansion. A few of the Child Geeks started making dolphin sounds, which I can only describe as being “bird chirps with tongue clicks”. The Parent Geeks also enjoyed it, with the casual gamers welcoming the random rolled card value result, creating great upsets in the Pirate figure line order. None of the Child or Parent Geeks thought the expansion was necessary, but all agreed it was fun to play with. Both groups approved it with a smile.

The Gamer Geeks did not. As expected, they didn’t think the game expansion was necessary or even warranted. According to one Gamer Geek, “This game expansion doesn’t bring anything to the game that I think is missing, is needed, or was even asked for. I don’t see any reason to play it again.” Another Gamer Geek said, “It’s not a bad idea, but breaks what I think is one of the most interesting aspects of the game. Yes, it adds risk, but I like how you have to watch what cards you are playing. This random card value throws things off, trumping smart plays.” None of the Gamer Geeks thought the game expansion was bad, but none of them wanted it included in their games. The end result was a rejected endorsement from the gaming elitists.

Ultimately, I believe the value of this expansion is going to be based on what type of game you want Get Bit! Deluxe to be. If you enjoy the hand management and the necessary logical thinking to survive, then adding the Dolphin die isn’t going to improve your game. If you like the risk versus reward in the game and want to see more, then most certainly add the Dolphin Die game expansion to your next playing session.

Just keep in mind that Dolphins are fickle creatures…

This game was given to Father Geek as a review copy. Father Geek was not paid, bribed, wined, dined, or threatened in vain hopes of influencing this review. Such is the statuesque and legendary integrity of Father Geek.