Animal Rescue Team
Animal Rescue Team at your next game night?
Add Animal Rescue Team to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Matt Leacock , Lisa Towell
- Publisher Play to Z , Ediciones MasQueOca , Fentasy Games
- Illustration Jeff Langevin , Alyssa McCarthy
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You coordinate a team of specialists to save cats, goats and dogs from floods, fires and earthquakes. The gameplay emphasizes cooperation, time pressure and dice-driven risk (Dice Rolling). Expect scenarios like navigating collapsed buildings, traversing hazardous areas (Area Movement) and delivering animals to shelters (Pick-up and Deliver).
Who Is This Game For?
Suitable for families and hobby gamers aged 8 and up; the presence of a solo mode makes it appealing to single players (players.min = 1). With a playing time around 60 minutes it fits a typical game-night slot. Some familiarity with cooperative mechanisms and action-point systems is helpful.
How It Works
Players spend Action Points to move across the board (Area Movement), reach animals and carry them to safety using Pick-up and Deliver mechanics. Dice Rolling introduces uncertainty to rescue attempts, while Variable Player Powers give unique abilities to each specialist. The game also includes solo rules for single-player play.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matt Leacock and Lisa Towell, Animal Rescue Team combines classic cooperative play with variable roles and dice tension. According to the bgg_description it is the first title in the 'Shut Up & Sit Down Presents' line.
Pro
- Cooperative teamwork focus (Cooperative Game)
- Includes a solo mode (Solo / Solitaire Game)
- Variable Player Powers add role diversity
- Dice mechanics add tension to rescues
Contra
- May be complex for children under 8 (min_age = 8)
- Cooperative play depends on balanced player engagement
Setting & atmosphere
Set in realistic disaster scenarios—floods, fires, earthquakes—players operate in affected towns and landscapes to evacuate pets and livestock to shelters.
Tips for beginners
Discuss roles and priorities early, make use of each specialist's abilities, and don't overplan before experiencing a few rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. players.min = 1 indicates a Solo / Solitaire mode is included.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 60 minutes; expect additional time for setup and rule explanation.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with cooperative games and action-point mechanics is useful but not mandatory.
How does this compare to similar games?
It emphasizes animal rescue and mixes Area Movement, Pick-up and Deliver and Dice Rolling as its core interactions.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes — recommended from age 8 and with a ~60 minute playtime suitable for family game nights.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Action Points, Dice Rolling and Pick-up-and-Deliver shapes the rescue experience.
Fazit
A cooperative rescue game that works well for families and solo players who enjoy role variety and dice-driven risk. Recommended if you like team-based, thematic co-op games.
Animal Rescue Team at your next game night?
Add Animal Rescue Team to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Animal Rescue Team to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
