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rating
Ludopedia
7.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy fast-paced, strategic two-player games with a cultural theme and clever mechanics, Leaping Lions is a must-have! It's a game that fits your budget and schedule, yet delivers a lot of fun.
Highlights
- Clever strategy in few cards
- Vibrant cultural theme
- Quick and dynamic matches
- Easy to learn and play
Keep in mind
- Language dependency on cards
- Two-player focused experience
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for the most radical lion dance you've ever seen! In Leaping Lions, you and your opponent will compete to create the most spectacular performance during Chinese New Year celebrations. The goal is to build a stage with increasingly higher platforms for your lion dancers to perform gravity-defying leaps, all to the rhythm of lively percussion.
Each turn, you choose a new platform to add to your stage, or you can discard it to upgrade an existing platform. With each leap, your lion advances, and the height of the platforms you use earns points. But that's not all! You'll also collect sets of musical instruments, pairs of firecrackers, and fans to impress the crowd. And to add an extra touch of magic, use special abilities that can turn the game in your favor.
In the end, scoring considers your lion's final position, the collected items, and the sequence of platforms. It's a fast-paced, strategic, and action-packed game, perfect for those who enjoy challenges with few rules but great depth. Ideal for playing in pairs and experiencing the excitement of this cultural tradition in a whole new way!
Each turn, you choose a new platform to add to your stage, or you can discard it to upgrade an existing platform. With each leap, your lion advances, and the height of the platforms you use earns points. But that's not all! You'll also collect sets of musical instruments, pairs of firecrackers, and fans to impress the crowd. And to add an extra touch of magic, use special abilities that can turn the game in your favor.
In the end, scoring considers your lion's final position, the collected items, and the sequence of platforms. It's a fast-paced, strategic, and action-packed game, perfect for those who enjoy challenges with few rules but great depth. Ideal for playing in pairs and experiencing the excitement of this cultural tradition in a whole new way!
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Button Shy
Designer
Darryl Tan
Artist
Nguyen Ngoc Anh Tram
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
481owners
37wishlist
12want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players does Leaping Lions support?
Leaping Lions is exclusively a two-player game, perfect for strategic duels.
How long does a game session last?
Games are super quick, typically taking only about 15 minutes to complete.
What is the game's complexity?
The complexity is low (1.5/5 on BGG), making it accessible for beginners while offering strategic depth for experienced players.
Do I need to know about Chinese culture to play?
No, it's not necessary, but the theme of the lion dance and Chinese New Year is well-represented and adds a special charm to the experience.
Does the game come with physical components?
Leaping Lions is a 'Print & Play' game, meaning you'll need to print and assemble the cards yourself at home.
Is there any language dependency?
Yes, there is a moderate language dependency as the cards contain text. Using a translated reference sheet or printed cards with translations is recommended.
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