Here at Firebox HQ we like to think we know a thing or three about gizmos, puzzles and games. But even we were caught off guard by the sheer addictiveness of River Crossing.

In fact, this sneaky little brainteaser is so phenomenally compelling we've been dreaming about planks, stumps and rivers ever since we started playing. That's because these are the main components of this multi award-winning, one-player game that will have you gripped in seconds.

When we first heard rumors about a game involving perilous walking and a load of planks we thought 'America’s Next Top Model' was being turned into a board game. Thankfully, no nano-celebrities were harmed during the making of River Crossing, and it's about a million times more entertaining than watching Tyra Banks spout off on the hard work and dedication required to get on a magazine cover (well, okay, maybe not a million). The point is River Crossing is enthralling fun for all the family.

The idea is simple: players must help a little hiker find a route across a critter-infested river/playing grid. Luckily, several tree stumps dot the crossing and five handy planks are close by. 40 beginner-to-expert challenge cards show you where to position the stumps and planks to start each game. The hiker must then use the planks to bridge the stumps and avoid the water below. Simple. Not!



That's because you can only move one plank at a time to a space that fits, and you can only use planks that are touching the stump where your hiker is standing. The hiker's feet are magnetic and so are the planks, so you use your hiker to lift and reposition the planks. Some challenges are pretty simple but many will have you cursing the day you set eyes on River Crossing - but in a good way!



Like most of the best brainteasers, River Crossing is simple in concept but fiendishly frustrating in practice, and players must think many moves ahead in order to succeed. So don't be shy, give River Crossing a try and we guarantee you'll be completely hooked.