Oh Crab! Preview
The Crab Shack is a little old place, where we can get together, Crab Shack baby, Crab Shack bay-bee. Crab baby, that’s where it’s at, Ooo crab baby, that’s where it’s at! Was sadly not sung by the B-52’s, because if it was, this would’ve been the perfect introduction to a preview of the board game Oh Crab! Instead, I’m left looking like an idiot, not able to cobble together some vaguely amusing introduction to the soon to be crowdfunded game.
Had I clawsed for thoughts, I might’ve written an introduction that instead of making reference to adapted song lyrics crabbed your attention better. I know many of us are feeling the pinch, so you are probably here to find out more about the board game, so I am sorry for penning such a shellfish introduction.
![Oh Crab artistic with first player marker Oh Crab artistic with first player marker](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-artistic-with-first-player-marker.png)
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Crab Snack Oh Crab Board Game Preview Crab Snack](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Crab-Snack.png)
Can you tell me more about the game?
Oh Crab! sees players racing to the sea having avoided being turned into patties at the crab shack. The escapees will have to navigate their hand of cards and the obstacles on the beach to win the game. Optimising shortcuts, avoiding pitfalls, mucking up other players’ plans and playing the right cards at exactly the right moment is the key to success.
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Board Oh Crab Board Game Preview Board](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Board.png)
Hand management is the most intrinsic mechanic in the game which has a nice twist. You build up a tableau of played cards, adding cards to the left or right of those already played (but not in between). You can gain extra movement or important shell tokens if you can join matching symbols on the edges of the card you play. You may have to discard cards if you move into an obstacle. This most likely will be a result of another player pushing you into it. However, you can always rest when required, to gather all cards back to your hand.
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Played Cards Oh Crab Board Game Preview Played Cards](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Played-Cards.png)
Final thoughts on Oh Crab!
This board game plays two to five players. In terms of age rating, many eight year olds would be able to be competitive so it is great for families!
Oh Crab! is a satisfyingly simple race with a good amount of interaction and strategy to make it interesting. I have thoroughly enjoyed my plays of the game. There is some take that in the game, some will find that a little frustrating, but I think it would be too vanilla without that player interaction and karma tends to level things out.
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Crab and distant box art Oh Crab Board Game Preview Crab and distant box art](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Crab-and-distant-box-art.png)
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Smart Flamingo Oh Crab Board Game Preview Smart Flamingo](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Smart-Flamingo.png)
Although the copy featured here is a prototype, you can already tell the quality of the components. I really like the sectional board that allows for variability in set up. If you can get over the fact the crabs have teeth, then the wooden crabs are characterful and fun! Whatever you do, don’t let the family-friendly bold and colourful artwork mistake you, this game isn’t just for the young. There is plenty of game night fun to be had with this one! Be sure to check out the Kickstarter campaign!
Follow the campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smartflamingo/oh-crab
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Three Crabs Oh Crab Board Game Preview Three Crabs](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Three-Crabs.png)
![Oh Crab Board Game Preview Card back Oh Crab Board Game Preview Card back](https://boardgamereview.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Oh-Crab-Board-Game-Preview-Card-back.png)