Both players want to make the biggest groups with their animals in the landscape. Each player has 3 different animals: 5, 7 and 8 of these. First make a random landscape with the 9 tiles. Each tile has 4 or 5 spaces to place an animal, and 1 or 2 lake spaces which stay empty the whole game. At the start of your turn you roll the 8-sided die which determines the single empty space where you can now place 1 of your animals or you pass. If you pass, then the other player can place an animal at that spot, or pass too and place a neutral disc to close that space. When you roll the die and pass, the next turn you roll the die again so can choose first again!! Otherwise the other player rolls the die for the next turn. Groups of 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 animals bring respectively 0/1/3/5/7/8/9/10 victory points. It's much luck, much depth, much drama. Sometimes a no-brainer, sometimes a very tough choice! You often must adapt your plans to new situations. Very light rulewise, but exciting to play smart. The tension for the big points builds up towards the end of the game. -description from designer