I Heart Manatees

Get ready to dive into the world of marine conservation in I Heart Manatees! In this game, you take on the role of a conservation expert dedicated to building the perfect habitat for adorable manatees. Your goal is straightforward yet challenging: rescue these gentle creatures from the ocean and create a sanctuary filled with their favorite food and fishy friends to maximize your score. The core gameplay revolves around selecting ocean tiles from four available columns on the board. The tile you pick expands your habitat, and the column you chose determines which special action you can perform during your turn.

Actions are varied and strategic. You can rescue new manatees (keeping an eye on breeding symbols for bonus animals), move your manatees to more advantageous positions, or collect photo cards. These photos are key: some provide immediate points if you meet the condition, while others are long-term goals for the end of the game. However, it's not all smooth sailing! The game adds a spicy 'Take That' element with the arrival of the menacing bull shark. You can drop this predator into an opponent's habitat to cause chaos, steal their manatees, or gain extra advantages for yourself.

The game ends when a player collects their fifth photo card or the manatee supply runs out. During final scoring, each manatee in your habitat earns points based on the adjacent food symbols. Add those to your photo points to determine the winner. It's a light game with a charming aesthetic and the perfect amount of interaction, ideal for those looking for a quick session that still requires spatial planning and a bit of mischief to deal with other players' sharks.