One of the fascinating aspects of board gaming is how a single session can turn into a story of evolving choices, shifting priorities, and unexpected outcomes. A game that captures this dynamic particularly well is Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write. It blends dice drafting, park-building, and worker placement in a way that challenges players to balance ambition with survival. What begins as an attempt to build the flashiest dinosaur park quickly becomes a delicate exercise in risk management, efficiency, and forward planning.

In this March 2023 play session, the setup created a mixture of opportunities and constraints that shaped every turn of the game. The available buildings were the Security Hub, Casino, and Prehistoric Garden. The three specialists in the hiring pool were the Ride Operator, DNA Mixologist, and Senior Scientist. Meanwhile, the solo objectives pushed heavily toward dinosaur creation: three large carnivore paddocks, three herbivore paddocks, and at least one of each of three different paddock types. With these conditions, the direction of the session was clear. Dinosaurs would not only generate excitement but also directly satisfy scoring goals, making them the central engine for success.

From the outset, it was apparent that two specialists would be pivotal. The DNA Mixologist, offering a free dinosaur without consuming DNA while still increasing excitement and threat, incentivized early dino construction. The Senior Scientist, capable of producing four dinosaurs in a single park run, also promised significant momentum in the later stages. These abilities aligned perfectly with the objectives, effectively steering the overall strategy: prioritize building dinosaurs, expand paddocks, and manage the mounting risks that come with keeping dangerous creatures behind fences.

The Ride Operator, while slightly less flashy, was not without importance. Gaining one coin per ride attraction every park run offered a steady flow of resources. Although it didn’t synergize with restaurants or merchandise stores, the ability to tie income directly to attractions meant that careful placement of rides could transform them into a reliable engine for both excitement and money. This slow drip of coins would later prove valuable in meeting the steep costs of certain buildings.

The available buildings added another layer of tough choices. The Security Hub, for instance, was an obvious early priority. For eight coins, it provided three permanent security, a benefit critical to offsetting the threat that carnivores generate. The Prehistoric Garden, at ten coins, was tempting for its ability to deliver three advanced DNA and award two points per herbivore dinosaur. However, its cost and timing made it a risky investment unless the park was already flush with herbivores. Meanwhile, the Casino, while cheaper at six coins, required both itself and a merchandise store to function properly. The limited space and competing priorities of paddocks and attractions made this harder to pull off smoothly. Choosing the right sequence of construction would ultimately become a defining feature of the session.

The opening round set the tone. With coins scarce, one of the first dice selected granted a single coin. Doubling it through the Ride Operator worker spot gave just enough momentum to secure the first hire. A ride attraction was built immediately, connecting the headquarters to the first exit. This seemingly small step was important, as it laid the foundation for a Dino Tour route while generating some early excitement. Of course, it also came at the cost of two unsecured threats, a reminder of the constant balancing act between growth and safety.

The second round turned into an unusually fortunate windfall. By selecting dice that granted coins and cleverly doubling them, a total of nine coins were collected early in the game. This was far from typical, as the dice often leave players scrambling for just enough resources to make incremental progress. With this burst of cash, the Security Chief was hired, shoring up defenses slightly, while the Junior Scientist entered the roster to prepare for immediate dinosaur construction in the next park run. Even though money had been spent to partially invest in the DNA Mixologist, this round made clear that early liquidity could accelerate specialist hiring in a way that normally takes several rounds to achieve. At the end of the round, three threats were accumulated, only two of which were secured, a tradeoff that emphasized just how quickly pressure builds in this game.

The third round was the first major turning point, as it initiated the park’s inaugural run. With the Junior Scientist’s help, two herbivores were brought to life. Their paddocks were placed strategically near the second exit, not only increasing excitement but also broadening the Dino Tour path. Along with the ride attraction and Dino Tour itself, excitement increased by four levels. Reaching certain spots on the excitement track yielded useful rewards: a coin, security, and basic DNA. This was immediately reinvested into the DNA Mixologist, whose ability produced a free herbivore and boosted excitement further. By the end of the run, the park had three threats but four securities—just enough to prevent disaster. This was the first satisfying moment of balance, where growth and safety managed to line up.

As the fourth and fifth rounds unfolded, the park’s infrastructure expanded. Dice rolls delivered coins and basic DNA, along with an occasional road. Roads, often overlooked, proved crucial for linking attractions and paddocks into coherent Dino Tour routes. Each new segment extended the tour’s reach, increasing both excitement and scoring potential. Coins were funneled into hiring the Tour Guide, whose ability raised excitement by three. At the same time, efforts began to construct the Security Hub, inching closer to that critical boost in permanent protection. Threat levels, however, remained a looming concern, as they hovered dangerously close to outpacing available security.

By the time the second park run arrived in round six, the park had transformed dramatically. Two more dinosaurs were created—one herbivore and one large carnivore—thanks to the Junior Scientist’s support. Their paddocks extended the Dino Tour route all the way to the third exit, unlocking even more potential excitement. The Ride Operator delivered two additional coins, which were funneled directly into finishing the Security Hub. Meanwhile, the DNA Mixologist built yet another carnivore, increasing both threat and excitement significantly. This park run was particularly rewarding, producing not only excitement gains but also a cascade of resources from the track: coins, DNA, and multiple security boosts. By the end of the run, the park sat at nine threats but an impressive eleven securities, a position of relative stability that allowed for more daring expansion in future rounds.

At this stage of the session, the outlines of a strategy had crystallized. The park was leaning heavily into dinosaurs, particularly carnivores, to maximize both excitement and objective fulfillment. Specialists were being used in tandem to push the production of new dinosaurs further each round. Ride attractions, though not the central scoring engine, provided a steady backbone of coins and excitement that kept everything else running smoothly. Security, often the silent partner in success, had just caught up to the surging threat, ensuring that no disastrous deaths would undermine progress.

This balance of growth and protection, however, was delicate. Each new carnivore promised thrilling point potential but came with a dangerous rise in threat. The Security Hub provided breathing room, but its benefits could easily be outpaced if dinosaur creation continued unchecked. Future rounds would test whether the park could continue to grow while avoiding the tipping point where excitement came at too high a cost.

By the midpoint of the game, the decisions felt increasingly tense and rewarding. Every die choice mattered. Every building placement had ripple effects. Every specialist’s ability intertwined with the broader puzzle. This is what makes Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write compelling: it asks players to build ambitiously, but it punishes neglect in ways that feel thematic and earned. The dinosaurs aren’t just numbers on a sheet—they are living symbols of risk, reward, and responsibility.

By the seventh round, the park had reached a pivotal stage. Earlier investments in security and infrastructure were beginning to pay dividends, but the pressure of fulfilling solo objectives loomed larger with each decision. Having already completed several herbivore paddocks and made headway on large carnivores, the endgame scoring conditions were within reach—yet each step forward meant balancing an increasingly volatile mix of excitement and threat.

The dice selection that round presented a mix of opportunity and risk. One of the dice carried a coin along with a yellow basic DNA, and duplicating it provided both money and resources. This was essential for pushing toward further specialist hires. The second die, with its two road icons, was too tempting to pass up. With it, a third ride attraction was constructed, strengthening the Ride Operator’s long-term benefit while expanding the Dino Tour route even further. Placement mattered here, as attractions had to interlock with paddocks and exits to maximize scoring later. Unfortunately, this same decision also added another threat, highlighting the constant tradeoff: expansion brought progress but also heightened danger.

With coins in hand, the Senior Scientist was finally brought closer to joining the team. This specialist represented a late-game power spike, one capable of transforming park runs into massive dinosaur-building opportunities. Hiring them was expensive, but it promised a payoff that would more than justify the cost if properly timed. At the end of the seventh round, the park sat precariously balanced at eleven threats and eleven securities—perfectly even, but leaving no margin for error.

The eighth round extended this fragile equilibrium. Another coin and blue DNA came from a carefully chosen die, and duplicating it offered a modest boost to resources. Yet the real highlight was the construction of the fourth ride attraction, paired with a restaurant. The restaurant was cleverly positioned near the new ride and the headquarters, allowing it to anchor a fresh Dino Tour route. This addition expanded the park’s layout considerably, ensuring that future tours would yield more excitement and more rewards from the track.

Still, every decision carried a shadow. Additional threats crept in, and for the first time, the park’s security trailed slightly behind. With twelve threats against eleven securities, the safety net was fraying. It was a calculated risk, banking on the idea that the upcoming park run would generate enough security to restore balance. This tension underscored one of the game’s central dynamics: sometimes you have to gamble on short-term risk to set up long-term scoring.

By the time the ninth and final round arrived, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Four ride attractions were now active, each adding to the excitement track, and the restaurant offered one more coin to complete the hiring of the Senior Scientist. The Security Chief provided another steady security boost, and the Tour Guide contributed two roads to keep the park’s layout flowing smoothly. The Junior Scientist, still a reliable workhorse, produced two dinosaurs, and the decision was made to focus on large carnivores. Two new paddocks were filled, with one linked to the Dino Tour route and the other standing alone for points.

The impact was immediate. Excitement surged upward as these massive creatures entered the park, but so too did threat. The Ride Operator added four coins from the attractions, which were invested into the Casino. The DNA Mixologist continued to provide value by creating another large carnivore without DNA, raising both threat and excitement. Suddenly, the park faced eighteen threats, of which six were unsecured. This was a dangerous position, one that could have resulted in significant death tolls if not handled carefully.

Enter the Senior Scientist. Their ability to generate four dinosaurs in one run was a game-changer. Strategic placement allowed for both objective fulfillment and excitement optimization. A small carnivore was built to complete the third solo objective, raising excitement while meeting the variety requirement. The remaining three dinosaurs were herbivores, chosen deliberately to avoid pushing threat into catastrophic levels. These new creatures filled the park while providing additional scoring synergy with the Prehistoric Garden (had it been built) and the herbivore-based points available on the track.

The Dino Tour that followed was the most rewarding of the entire session. Linking headquarters to the restaurant, through ride attractions, the Security Hub, and into a large carnivore paddock before exiting south, the route maximized both excitement and resource collection. The track poured out benefits: coins, DNA, and crucially, six securities. These boosts not only balanced the eighteen total threats but exceeded them, bringing the security track to twenty and unlocking ten additional points from the Security Hub’s scoring condition. The relief was palpable. What had seemed like a dangerous gamble in round eight turned into a triumphant moment of stability.

By the end of the game, the park was brimming with life. The attractions hummed, the paddocks teemed with dinosaurs of every size, and the infrastructure tied everything together into a coherent, high-scoring layout. When tallying the final results, the numbers told a satisfying story. Fourteen points came from herbivores, three from small carnivores, and twenty-five from large carnivores. Specialists, hired and deployed wisely across the game, contributed eighteen points, while the two completed buildings added sixteen more. Connections to exits yielded twenty-one points, the excitement track another nineteen, leftover DNA six, and the three objectives a combined ten. The crowning achievement, however, was the ten points from the Security Hub, which had transformed what could have been a liability into a strength. Altogether, the score reached 132—a strong performance that reflected both calculated risks and careful timing.

Looking back, the narrative of the session reveals several key insights about how Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write rewards adaptive strategy. First, early investments in specialists shaped the trajectory of the game. The Junior Scientist provided early momentum, the DNA Mixologist offered efficient dino creation throughout, and the Senior Scientist delivered the late-game power spike necessary to maximize scoring. Balancing the timing of these hires was critical—too early, and the park might lack infrastructure; too late, and their abilities might go underused.

Second, the interplay between rides and buildings highlighted the importance of infrastructure. While the Prehistoric Garden might have been tempting, the decision to prioritize the Security Hub proved decisive. Its permanent boost not only prevented disaster but also generated points in the end. The rides, meanwhile, created a reliable engine of coins and excitement that allowed the park to keep scaling up. The Casino, although added late, provided a useful outlet for surplus resources and rounded out the building set.

Third, the handling of threats underscored one of the game’s most compelling features: risk is never abstract. Each new dinosaur felt like a calculated gamble, pushing the boundaries of safety while chasing the allure of points and excitement. Without careful planning, the park could have easily spiraled into chaos, with unsecured threats leading to death tolls that wipe out progress. But by aligning security upgrades with bursts of dinosaur creation, the balance was maintained, and the park thrived.

Finally, the solo objectives served not just as scoring conditions but as a framework that guided decision-making. By pushing toward a diverse mix of paddocks and emphasizing large carnivores, they forced the park to grow in specific, thematic directions. Rather than building randomly, every choice was tethered to a larger goal, creating coherence in both the layout and the scoring.

What stood out most in this session, however, was how much it resembled a story unfolding over time. The early scramble for coins, the mid-game surge of dinosaurs, the looming crisis of threats in round eight, and the climactic payoff of round nine all combined to create a narrative arc. The park wasn’t just a sheet filled with boxes and tracks—it was a living, breathing space that reflected ambition, caution, and adaptation.

By the conclusion, the sense of satisfaction came not only from the 132 points but from the way the strategy had unfolded. Every hire, every road, every paddock placement had contributed to a park that felt cohesive and thematic. The thrill of watching excitement climb, the tension of managing threats, and the payoff of a well-timed security boost all reinforced the central appeal of the game: the blending of theme and mechanics into a seamless whole.

As the March 2023 session ended, it was clear that Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write continues to reward careful planning, daring risks, and thematic storytelling. Whether chasing objectives, balancing security, or simply reveling in the joy of building a park filled with dinosaurs, each playthrough offers a unique narrative. And in this case, that narrative was one of tightrope walking between danger and success, culminating in a triumphant, high-scoring finale.

When looking back at the March 2023 playthrough of Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write, the most striking feature isn’t just the score or the neat balance of excitement and security. Instead, it’s how the session highlights the sheer variety of paths available to players. Each choice—whether to draft coins, DNA, roads, or buildings—carries ripple effects that make every game unique. By analyzing what worked, what nearly failed, and what could have been done differently, we can uncover insights that carry into future plays.

This part of the report shifts away from the round-by-round recap and instead explores the broader lessons and strategies that emerge from such a tense, thematic game. The March session is just one example, but the lessons it illustrates are universally applicable to anyone hoping to master the delicate balance of building dinosaurs while keeping the park safe.

 Specialists Define Your Direction

Perhaps the most impactful decisions in any playthrough come from hiring specialists. In the March session, the lineup of the Ride Operator, DNA Mixologist, and Senior Scientist almost dictated the strategy before the first die was even drafted.

• DNA Mixologist was a standout star, offering dinosaurs without requiring DNA but still generating threat and excitement. This specialist provided efficiency and flexibility, freeing up resources for security or buildings. However, the catch was obvious: the threat escalated quickly. Without parallel investments in security, relying on this specialist could have spelled disaster.

• Senior Scientist was another high-impact hire. Their ability to create four dinosaurs during a park run can swing the game dramatically, especially when combined with endgame scoring objectives tied to paddock variety or dinosaur count. But timing was crucial. In the March session, waiting until later to hire them paid off, because the infrastructure was already in place to handle the sudden influx of creatures. Hiring too early might have strained security resources without yielding full value.

• Ride Operator, while less flashy, contributed steady income. Each ride attraction essentially became a coin generator. This subtle but dependable effect smoothed over economic bottlenecks and allowed the park to afford expensive buildings and specialists when needed.

The takeaway is clear: specialists not only add abilities but also act as signals, nudging players toward certain paths. A lineup heavy on dinosaur production, like in this session, pushes players to embrace risk. A lineup leaning toward economy or infrastructure might instead reward a slower, more balanced build. Ignoring these signals often leads to wasted opportunities.

Buildings Shape Long-Term Scoring

The March 2023 game also demonstrated how buildings interact with overall strategy. With only three on offer—Security Hub, Prehistoric Garden, and Casino—the park’s development leaned toward safety and efficiency rather than raw point generation.

• Security Hub was essential. By locking in three permanent security, it gave breathing room to chase carnivores aggressively. Without it, the final rounds would have been nearly impossible, as threat levels ballooned with every new predator. The additional scoring tied to reaching high security levels further rewarded the investment.

• Prehistoric Garden, though not chosen, lingered as an opportunity cost. With three advanced DNA and points per herbivore, it could have synergized beautifully with the objectives. But its ten-coin price tag proved too steep when compared with more immediate needs like hiring specialists or boosting security. This highlights a recurring tension: high-cost buildings are tempting, but timing often determines whether they’re worth it.

• Casino, purchased late in the game, offered a more economical route. Though it required pairing with a merchandise store, its cheaper entry cost made it easier to slot into the park. It didn’t define the game’s direction, but it added incremental value at a time when every point mattered.

Buildings, in this sense, are less about short-term gains and more about setting the stage for the second half of the game. Choosing the right building sequence can turn an ordinary park into a scoring powerhouse. Conversely, mismanaging buildings—whether by overinvesting in expensive ones or neglecting them entirely—can leave valuable points on the table.

The Constant Tension of Security

If there’s one mechanic that embodies the thematic brilliance of Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write, it’s the threat-security balance. Dinosaurs are irresistible sources of points and excitement, but they always come with the risk of disaster.

In the March playthrough, this tension peaked in round eight, when threats briefly outpaced security. That moment of imbalance created genuine anxiety: would the final park run collapse under the weight of too many carnivores? The relief of securing additional protection in round nine underscored how razor-thin the margin often is.

The lesson here is that security isn’t just another track to manage—it’s the fulcrum upon which the entire park balances. Too much security early can slow progress, as resources are tied up defensively instead of fueling growth. Too little, however, risks catastrophic losses that not only cost points but also break the narrative immersion of running a “safe” park. The trick is to let security lag just slightly behind threat, catching up at critical junctures, rather than always staying far ahead.

This ebb and flow creates drama. It forces players to make tough choices, like whether to push out another carnivore before building more defenses, or whether to prioritize a coin-generating ride over a much-needed security boost. It’s this tension, more than any other system, that makes the game feel alive.

Solo Objectives Drive Variety

Objectives in Rawr ‘n Write are deceptively powerful. They don’t just provide extra points; they actively shape the park’s development. In March, the requirements for three large carnivore paddocks, three herbivore paddocks, and one of each paddock type pushed the game toward a dinosaur-heavy build.

This focus created a very specific narrative. Herbivores offered safe, consistent points and synergized with the Prehistoric Garden (had it been built). Carnivores, meanwhile, were risky but necessary, since ignoring them would leave one-third of the objectives unfulfilled. The need for variety forced diversification, preventing the park from becoming too one-dimensional.

Different objective sets, however, could push players in entirely different directions. A session emphasizing attractions or advanced DNA might make rides and labs more central. A focus on infrastructure could elevate roads and exits into the spotlight. Objectives, then, act like shifting puzzle pieces that keep the game fresh. No two sessions will ever unfold the same way, because the scoring conditions subtly redirect the flow of decisions.

 Roads and Tours as the Hidden Engine

Amid all the excitement of dinosaurs and buildings, it’s easy to overlook the importance of roads and Dino Tours. Yet the March playthrough made it clear that they form the connective tissue of the game.

Each road segment isn’t just a path—it’s an opportunity to string together attractions, paddocks, and exits into high-scoring tours. By round nine, the Dino Tour stretched across the park in a way that maximized excitement and rewards. Every new addition to the route felt meaningful, as it determined how often certain spaces would contribute to points and resources.

Players who neglect roads often find themselves with isolated attractions that don’t contribute much. In contrast, those who carefully link their park elements together can squeeze enormous value out of the excitement track. It’s a subtle mechanic, but one that rewards foresight and spatial planning.

 Replayability Through Changing Context

One of the joys of Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write is how its replayability stems from layered variability. Dice rolls shift resources each round. Specialists and buildings change from game to game. Objectives steer strategies in different directions. Even the solo or multiplayer format alters the pace and tension.

The March session highlighted how a dinosaur-focused setup creates one kind of story: a constant tug-of-war between ambition and security. But imagine a session where the key specialists revolve around money generation or DNA efficiency. Suddenly, the pace slows, with more emphasis on economy and infrastructure. Or consider a setup where objectives push players toward maximizing attractions. In that case, rides and restaurants could take center stage, while dinosaurs become secondary.

This variability ensures that no strategy is ever universally dominant. What worked brilliantly in one session might fail in another, depending on the tools available. Mastery, then, doesn’t come from memorizing a single optimal path, but from learning to adapt.

 The Storytelling Element

Beyond strategy, there’s another layer to the game that deserves attention: its storytelling. Even though it’s a roll-and-write, the mechanics translate seamlessly into narrative moments. A sudden surge of threats feels like a dangerous pen breaking down. A wave of excitement after unveiling a massive carnivore feels like a crowd cheering at a grand opening. Security upgrades resemble park investments in stronger fences or better-trained staff.

The March playthrough exemplified this storytelling potential. The eighth round cliffhanger, when security lagged behind threat, played out like a tense movie scene. The final round, with the Senior Scientist unleashing a wave of new dinosaurs, felt like the climax of a blockbuster. These emergent narratives are part of why the game remains engaging even after multiple plays.

Reflecting on this session, several lessons stand out:

• Don’t underestimate steady income. The Ride Operator’s coins, though small in scale, enabled larger plays like finishing the Security Hub and hiring expensive specialists.

• Plan specialist timing carefully. Early hires shape direction, but late hires can deliver massive payoffs if timed correctly.

• Keep security just behind threat, not far ahead or far behind. This keeps resources flexible while avoiding catastrophic penalties.

• Use roads to link everything. Attractions and paddocks isolated from Dino Tours waste potential.

• Stay objective-focused. Chasing side strategies can be fun, but objectives provide the backbone of scoring and guide efficient park building.

By the time the last score was tallied in the March 2023 session, everyone at the table sat back with that unique blend of exhaustion and satisfaction only certain board games provide. The ride had been tense, messy, and sometimes borderline reckless — but the result was a coherent, living story of a park that barely kept its dinosaurs under control while still dazzling visitors.

The Roll-and-Write Genre in Context

When Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write released, it entered a crowded field. Roll-and-writes had surged in popularity, with hits like Welcome To…, Ganz Schön Clever, and Railroad Ink. Many shared the same formula: roll dice, mark sheets, chase efficiency.

But Rawr ‘n Write carved a niche by layering in thematic storytelling. Most roll-and-writes emphasize optimization puzzles. Few make players feel like they are actually running something dynamic. Here, you’re not just filling boxes — you’re designing roads, hiring staff, managing fences, and unleashing dinosaurs.

The March session reinforced how much theme matters. When the threat spiked in round eight, it didn’t just feel like “red numbers going up.” It felt like fences cracking, visitors screaming, and security teams rushing in. That emotional response is rare in the genre, and it elevates the game above pure puzzle-solving.

 Balancing Risk and Reward: The Core Lesson

At its heart, Rawr ‘n Write is a game about risk. Every dinosaur is both points and peril. Every investment in rides or casinos is safe but potentially underwhelming. Every building is an opportunity cost that leaves other paths unexplored.

The March playthrough illustrated this tension perfectly:

• Hiring the DNA Mixologist was bold — free dinosaurs at the cost of surging threat.

• Pushing carnivores hard meant chasing huge objective points but constantly playing defense.

• Choosing Casino over Prehistoric Garden was a practical decision, sacrificing big scoring potential for affordability.

The lesson is that playing it safe rarely wins. Players who turtle behind walls of security without embracing dinosaurs won’t generate enough excitement. But players who go all-in on carnivores without security collapse under penalties. The sweet spot is walking that razor’s edge — just as the March park did, with security catching up at the very last moment.

This variability ensures replayability. It also shows how characters in board games, even without dialogue or backstories, can create flavor.

 The Social Dimension

Although Rawr ‘n Write can be played solo, the March session was multiplayer, and that added another layer. Watching someone else push their luck with carnivores raises the stakes. Drafting dice becomes not just about what you need, but also about denying others.

For instance, several times during the March game, a player deliberately drafted coins to keep others from hiring a specialist first. That kind of indirect interaction makes every choice sharper.

It also heightens the storytelling. When one player gasps as threat rises, everyone feels the tension. When someone unveils a huge Dino Tour, it sparks table-wide excitement. Solo play delivers the puzzle; multiplayer delivers the drama.

 Lessons Beyond the Game

Interestingly, the March session revealed lessons that stretch beyond board gaming:

• Balance ambition with caution. Whether in business, creative projects, or personal goals, there’s always a temptation to chase maximum reward without considering risks. The game teaches the value of calculated ambition.

• Invest in infrastructure early. Just as building security and income sources paved the way for late scoring, real-life endeavors thrive when the foundation is strong.

• Adapt to circumstances. Objectives, dice rolls, and specialist availability meant no static “best strategy” existed. Success came from adapting, not stubbornly forcing a plan.

This might sound lofty, but it’s part of why board games resonate: they compress real-life dynamics into safe, playful systems.

Every session leaves behind “what ifs.” For March:

• Would investing in Prehistoric Garden have outscored the Casino? Possibly, if herbivores had been prioritized earlier.

• What if the Senior Scientist had been hired earlier? Threat might have overwhelmed the park before security scaled up.

• Could skipping carnivores entirely and focusing on attractions have worked? Likely not, given the objectives, but it could have created a completely different flavor of game.

These hypotheticals are part of the fun. They invite replay, encouraging players to try alternate routes in future sessions. 

Final Thoughts

Looking back on the March 2023 play of Dinosaur Island: Rawr ‘n Write, what stands out most is not the final score or even the exact sequence of moves, but the journey. The session reminded everyone at the table that this game thrives on drama — the steady climb of excitement, the constant dance between risk and safety, and the way every specialist, building, and paddock choice pushes the story in a new direction.

It was a game that began cautiously, stumbled into danger, and surged into a tense but triumphant finish. The dice shaped opportunities, the specialists dictated direction, and the objectives demanded boldness. Yet beyond the numbers, the real achievement was how alive the park felt — how easy it was to imagine guests cheering on rides, fences straining under pressure, and staff scrambling to keep chaos contained.

That is the heart of Rawr ‘n Write: a blend of clever puzzle and living narrative. It proves that roll-and-write games can be more than abstract grids and efficiency races. They can carry weight, tension, and personality. They can generate stories worth retelling long after the score sheet is gone.

The March session delivered all of that. It was thrilling, risky, sometimes messy, but ultimately unforgettable — and that’s exactly what a game about running a dinosaur park should be.