Apex: Escape from the Apes

Apex: Escape from the Apes is a cooperative adventure game for the whole family. The players must work together to escape from a fierce band of angry apes to win the game. The board depicts a bird's-eye view of the pyramid, rising out of a jungle. The adventurers' rescue helicopter will land on the top of the pyramid (center of the board). If everyone can reach the top of the jungle pyramid before the apes get there, they will be rescued. Each player has three randomly-dealt cards which provide certain abilities or hindrances, and a little treasure as well. On each turn, a player rolls a die which moves all the apes. (There are simple rules guiding the Apes' movement, which increase the tension as the game goes on.) Then they roll a die for their own movement, with which they can move in any direction, around or up and down the pyramid levels. If a moving adventurer is in a space adjacent to another adventurer, they can help that companion to move up (or down) the levels. Also, leaving treasure on the path distracts the advancing Apes (but only temporarily). Can your intrepid explorers get to the apex of the pyramid to be rescued? (Bonus points if they get rescued with some treasure left!) -description from designer