Open Ocean (2020) Board Game

Open Ocean is a board game released in 2020, designed by Joel Bodkin and illustrated by Featherstone Games. The game falls under the categories of Animals, Card Game, Environmental, and Nautical, with gameplay centered around open drafting and tile placement mechanisms. The game is suitable for 1-5 players, with the best experience being for 3-4 players, aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Open Ocean

Starter coral cards unique to each player

Fish, coral, sharks, dolphins, turtles, and anemone cards

Goal cards for solo mode and bonus objectives

Central ocean reserve cards

How To Setup Open Ocean

To set up the game, each player starts with a starter coral card, which serves as the anchor for their reef. The remaining cards are shuffled and arranged in a 3×3 grid face-up, representing the “open ocean.” Players are dealt a starting hand of six cards. The game area is constrained by the ocean floor, ensuring the play area remains organized.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select a card from their hand and place it face down, then reveal and resolve the actions on the card.

Tile Placement: Cards are placed to build the reef, following specific placement rules (e.g., coral must be adjacent to other coral, fish must be connected by type or size).

Attracting Fish: Smaller fish attract larger fish, creating food chains.

Sharks and Dolphins: Actions like swapping cards with opponents or exchanging with the open ocean.

Turtles: Refresh the central ocean reserve and choose new tiles.

Objective: Build a diverse and thriving reef by collecting schools of fish and various colors of coral, while earning points through pattern formation and bonus goals.

Player Experience

**Open Ocean** is praised for its balanced mix of strategy and simplicity, making it accessible to younger players while still engaging for adults. The game fosters positive player interaction by focusing on building one’s ecosystem rather than penalizing others. For example, using a dolphin to swap a card from another player still rewards the opponent with points. The solo mode adds a layer of challenge with specific habitat goals to complete within three rounds.

Pros

Bright and Colorful Artwork: The game features vibrant, unique illustrations.

Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: Easy to learn but with depth for strategy.

Positive Player Interaction: Encourages cooperative elements in competitive gameplay.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last 20-30 minutes.

Replayability: Multiple ways to play with bonuses and habitat goals.

Cons

Card Quality Issues: Cards tend to stick together and don’t lie flat.

Luck-Dependent Solo Mode: Completing goals can be entirely based on luck rather than strategy.

Confusing Rulebook: The lengthy and text-heavy rulebook can be challenging to read through.

Limited Decision-Making in Solo Mode: The solo experience can feel more about finding the right cards than making strategic decisions.

Personal Thoughts on Open Ocean

**Open Ocean** is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers who enjoy light to medium complexity games. It is particularly suited for those who love pattern recognition, drafting, and tile placement, as seen in games like **Kingdomino**, **Azul**, and **Splendor**. While the solo mode has its limitations, the game shines in multiplayer scenarios, promoting a fun and interactive experience for players of all ages. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to teach, fun to play, and provides a good balance between strategy and luck, **Open Ocean** is a great addition to your game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.