Raise the Roof incorporates two games in one - in the "express" version, which is great for beginners and younger players, your objective is to be the first to complete your house. In the "extended" version the different point values for each component come into play and players compete to build the most valuable house - even if you're not the first to finish - meaning you can still win with a house under construction!
Raise the Roof begins with each player dealt seven cards. The first order of business is to get your building permit - this allows you to begin construction on your house. It's not always easy to get your permit but even if you're delayed - which or course never happens in construction! - you can still slow other player's construction.
Build your house by placing cards representing the various rooms and building systems. The game ends when a player places the last of the 15 cards in their house - and if playing the express version this player wins!
In the extended version, the point values for various house components come into play and instead of simply completing your house first you want to be the one with the most valuable house - whether or not your finished building! The house cards have various point values - ranging from 100 to 400 points - and players need not only to build but also to upgrade their spaces to maximize their total points and build the most valuable house.
Simple, right? Not so fast! Construction is never smooth sailing and other players will try to steal parts of your house or at least slow down your construction.
Permits, strikes, tornadoes, windstorms, and kitchen fires - you name it! - may all come your way as the other players try to be the ones to finish first and with the most valuable house. How? Disasters allow other players to take parts of your house - unless you have a safety card!
Raise the Roof begins with each player dealt seven cards. The first order of business is to get your building permit - this allows you to begin construction on your house. It's not always easy to get your permit but even if you're delayed - which or course never happens in construction! - you can still slow other player's construction.
Build your house by placing cards representing the various rooms and building systems. The game ends when a player places the last of the 15 cards in their house - and if playing the express version this player wins!
In the extended version, the point values for various house components come into play and instead of simply completing your house first you want to be the one with the most valuable house - whether or not your finished building! The house cards have various point values - ranging from 100 to 400 points - and players need not only to build but also to upgrade their spaces to maximize their total points and build the most valuable house.
Simple, right? Not so fast! Construction is never smooth sailing and other players will try to steal parts of your house or at least slow down your construction.
Permits, strikes, tornadoes, windstorms, and kitchen fires - you name it! - may all come your way as the other players try to be the ones to finish first and with the most valuable house. How? Disasters allow other players to take parts of your house - unless you have a safety card!
If they can't steal a piece, through, watch out because you'll still face complications that will slow your progress - catastrophes, tornadoes, and strikes will impede your ability to continue building until you can resolve the problems and get back a valid building permit!
However, you can protect yourself by having insurance for tornadoes or negotiating and end to the strike - or better yet holding the coveted safety card that not only prevents the disaster from striking but also lets you take the card played into your own hand to slow down your competitors!
You'll enjoy the ride no matter what gets thrown at you - after all, the fun's the proof when you raise the roof!
You'll enjoy the ride no matter what gets thrown at you - after all, the fun's the proof when you raise the roof!