Abstract: Character based games and methods of play are provided. In preferred embodiments, the character based games include hydrophobic game boards that use characters formed from water or other liquids with surrounded or suspended character features. In a preferred embodiment, a method of play is provided. The method of play comprises: adding a character feature to water; placing the water including the character feature on a hydrophobic play surface such that the water forms a bead surrounding the character feature; and manipulating the hydrophobic play surface to cause the bead of water including the character feature to move to different locations on the play surface.