Ice Flow

Ice Flow is a family‑friendly strategy game that blends resource management, racing, and a dash of puzzle solving. Inspired by Karl Bushby's real‑life Goliath Expedition, each player commands three explorers who must cross the Bering Strait from Alaska to Siberia by hopping on ice floes that appear at the top of the board. The board consists of hexagonal plastic tiles representing ice sheets; each turn a player can place a new tile, rotate it, or shift the whole column downward, creating a constant flow that forces everyone to adapt.

During a turn the player first manipulates the ice – inserting, rotating, or moving a row – then moves one of their explorers as far as they wish, respecting terrain restrictions. Smooth sides of the tiles are easy to traverse, while rough "pack ice" edges require a rope from the explorer’s rucksack; swimming is allowed but costs a fish because the frigid Arctic waters sap energy. Polar bears act as moving hazards: they can be avoided or lured with fish, but beware – you might steer a bear straight into another player’s path. Each move ends with the collection of a useful item from the tile landed on, and the first player to bring all three explorers safely into Siberia wins. Playtime ranges from 45 to 75 minutes, supports 2–4 players, and has a light complexity rating (2.2/5), making it suitable for families and gamers who enjoy quick tactical decisions. Components include the hex tiles, bear meeples, rucksack cards, ropes and fish tokens. Variable set‑up and the ever‑shifting ice provide high replay value, though the constant need to monitor bear positions can make the pace feel a bit tense for those who prefer calmer experiences.