- BGG rating
- 6.7
Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape
- 1–5 players
- 45–60 min
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,497
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Caves of Rwenzori
2021
Rules assistance for Caves of Rwenzori
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–5 players
- 45–60 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.7/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for Caves of Rwenzori
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Caves of Rwenzori is a board game released in 2021 for 1–5 players, 45–60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by James Trower and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That.
Expansions
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #307
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Tapestry
- 1–5 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,006
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Vast: The Mysterious Manor
- 1–5 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #12
- BGG rating
- 8.4
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- 1–4 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #4
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Gloomhaven
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,524
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Antematter
- 3–6 players
- 45–120 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,838
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Legends of Void
- 1–4 players
- 90–180 min
- Complexity 4.1/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,019
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Vast: The Crystal Caverns
- 1–5 players
- 75–150 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,960
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Ohio Bob
- 1–2 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,032
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Ohio Bob and the Lost Amulet
- 1 player
- 15 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #993
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Brazil: Imperial
- 1–4 players
- 100 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #234
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
- 1–5 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,258
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Gloomhaven (Second Edition)
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2025
About the game
Caves of Rwenzori (Ru-Wen-Zor-Ree) Deep in the rainforest the cloud covered Rwenzori mountains hide a vast network of ancient caves steeped in myth and mystery. Explorers have descended into those dark halls looking for fame, riches and glory, when disaster strikes and the entrance collapses. As the dust settles the legend of the caves rings in your ears, “Only one ever comes out!” Players develop the Rwenzori cave network by placing hexagonal tiles. Each turn the cave network grows to the advantage of some and the demise of others. Players need to jump, swing and hack their way through ancient tribal traps, subterranean waterfalls, gaping chasms and more in an attempt to be the first to escape the cave and win the game. Caves of Rwenzori is a simple tile laying game, where every game is different. In Caves of Rwenzori players take it in turns to place cave tiles to slow and obstruct their opponents forcing them to stop or move back through the cave network. The goal of the game is to place all your tiles down and then be able to play the escape tile and win the game. It is a rip-roaring, laugh-out-loud adventure as you hinder the other adventurers and speed your way to escape and victory.
Questions and answers
Caves of Rwenzori supports 1–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Caves of Rwenzori is 45–60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Caves of Rwenzori for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Caves of Rwenzori has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Caves of Rwenzori belongs to these categories: Exploration, Adventure, and Maze. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Take That. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Caves of Rwenzori are: James Trower. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Caves of Rwenzori as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.