Overview

Free Willy Game is a family board game for 2-4 players based on the movie Free Willy. Players move character pawns along a gamepath trying to reach the FINISH space while avoiding Rockland Stone’s vessel, which patrols the channel. Players can take a shortcut through the channel for a faster route, but risk being detected by Stone. The first player to reach FINISH wins.

Components

• 1 Gameboard (with gamepath and channel)
• 1 Die
• 5 Pawns with pawn stands
• 1 Spinner with plastic arrow

Setup

1. Each player chooses a character pawn and places it on the START space.
2. Place unused pawns back in the box.
3. Place Rockland Stone’s vessel (black pawn stand) on the arrow space at the top of the channel (next to the FINISH space).

Turn Structure

Youngest player goes first. Play continues clockwise. Each player takes a two-step turn:

Step 1: Spin the Spinner and Move Stone’s Vessel

Spin the spinner. Move Stone’s vessel the number of spaces shown on the spinner along the round Channel spaces. Stone never travels on the gamepath.

Stone’s claw always faces the direction he is moving. When he reaches an arrow space (end of the channel), reverse his direction and continue the remaining spaces in the opposite direction. Stone may move up and down the channel several times during the game.

Step 2: Roll the Die and Move Your Pawn

Roll the die. Move your pawn forward the number of spaces shown. Follow any space directions. More than one pawn may occupy the same space.

Movement Options: Your pawn can move along the gamepath, or you may decide to go up the channel. The channel is a shorter route to FINISH, but is riskier because Stone is always patrolling it.

Actions

Entering the Channel

You can enter or exit the channel only from Channel Crossing spaces:

• To Enter: Start moving your pawn toward the next Channel Crossing space. Once you reach this space, STOP (even if you haven’t moved your full count). You can’t move again until your next turn, at which time you may move your pawn along the channel.
• While traveling on the channel, always move toward FINISH.

Exiting the Channel

Move your pawn to the next Channel Crossing space and STOP. On your next turn, move onto the gamepath.

Game Spaces

• Seaweed Space: A “hiding” space. Your turn is over.
• Free Willy Space: Move to the space occupied by the lead pawn. If you are already the leader, stay put. Your turn is over.
• Path Buoy Space: Go back to the matching color Channel Crossing space. Your turn is over.
• Channel Crossing Space: These are Channel spaces. Your turn is over. On your next turn, you may continue moving your pawn along the gamepath or up the channel toward FINISH.

Being Detected by Stone

Your pawn is detected when any of the following occurs:

• Stone’s vessel passes by or lands on your pawn while you are on the channel (this can happen on your turn or someone else’s turn).
• You pass by or land on Stone’s vessel while you are on the channel. (If you are traveling on the gamepath, you can cross the channel without being detected, even if Stone is on the Channel Crossing space.)

If your pawn is detected:

1. Move your pawn backward on the channel to the nearest Channel Crossing space.
2. Then move it back to the closest Seaweed space on the gamepath.
3. If your turn is next, take it now. If not, stay on the Seaweed space until your next turn.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to reach the FINISH space from either the channel or the gamepath is the winner.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Stone’s Direction: Stone’s claw always faces his direction of movement. He reverses at arrow spaces.
• Channel vs. Gamepath: The channel is shorter but riskier; the gamepath is longer but safer.
• Channel Crossing Immunity: If you are on the gamepath, you can cross the channel (at Channel Crossing spaces) without being detected by Stone.
• Multiple Pawns: More than one character pawn may occupy the same space.
• Detection on Any Turn: Stone can detect your pawn on anyone’s turn, not just your own.

Player Reference

Turn Sequence

1. Spin spinner — move Stone’s vessel along the channel
2. Roll die — move your pawn forward on the gamepath or channel

Key Spaces

| Space | Effect | |——-|——–| | Seaweed | Hiding space — turn over | | Free Willy | Jump to the leader’s position | | Path Buoy | Go back to matching Channel Crossing space | | Channel Crossing | Turn over; next turn choose gamepath or channel |

Detection Rules

• Detected if Stone passes/lands on you in the channel, or you pass/land on Stone in the channel
• Penalty: return to nearest Channel Crossing, then to closest Seaweed space