Fall down the waterfall as best you can, while lengthening the waterfall as you play, to collect the highest-scoring gemstones along the way.
Waterfall
Fall down the waterfall as best you can to collect the highest-scoring gemstones along the way.
This game is textless and incredibly simple in its rules. It is suitable for kids, families, any group.
For a heavier version of this idea (with way more actions, written on the tiles, and some other twists), visit the spin-off Waterfall: Raging Rapids.
Background
This idea was cheekily called “Decision Trees: The Game” for the longest time. That reveals how it started. I was looking into adding automatically generated decision trees to my rulebooks (because they are a great help to new players for certain games), and suddenly realized that those trees kind of look like boards … on which you can move around by following the connections …
A few minutes later, I’d written down the first idea for “Waterfall”. You simply fall down, getting a choice between LEFT or RIGHT every time, and the specific path you take obviously determines your actions and rewards. For more interactivity and challenge, other pawns block paths if they stop on tiles.
The first version of this idea, as usual, was slightly more complicated (and text-heavy) than I’d like. I ended up renaming that original version to Waterfall: Raging Rapids and publishing it as a slightly “heavier” spin-off.
Also as usual, though, after making something you realize the exact ways in which you can make it better next time. And so I created a second version, which is the game you’re visiting right now: Waterfall. A simpler, more streamlined, and textless version that better fits my original vision for the idea.
Credits
The fonts used are Avrile Serif (body, longer paragraphs, very readable) and Merienda (headings, short phrases, more curvy). Some generative AI was used for the action illustrations. Everything else is entirely mine.
Support
You can hire me! Maybe you need a special board game or video game for a birthday or educational purpose? I'm also open to inquiries about physically publishing my games. I am a registered freelance artist from the Netherlands and you can contact me professionally through my portfolio.
If unsure, visit my Online Store. It contains everything I ever made. Though it focuses on playful education and activities for children/family, first and foremost.
Another great way to support me is to simply let me know what you think! Mail me at harmonize@pandaqi.com with any feedback.
Alternatives would be to buy my paid work (a win-win situation!) or to donate through the most popular channels (see buttons below).
