Sea Salt & Paper is a card game that was released in 2022 by Bombyx. Designed by Bruno Cathala and Théo Rivière, this game is set in a nautical theme and revolves around animals. With beautiful artwork by Lucien Derainne and Pierre-Yves Gallard, Sea Salt & Paper offers players a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
Game Components of Sea Salt & Paper
Deck: A 58-card deck featuring various maritime icons such as fish, squids, shells, boats, sharks, crabs, swimmers, sailors, and mermaids.Cards: Each card has one of eleven different colors and may be part of sets, pairs, or special action cards.Mermaid Cards: Four powerful mermaid cards that score points based on the most prevalent color in a player’s hand.Set Collection Cards: Cards for collecting sets of shells, octopi, penguins, and sailors.Multiplier Cards: Cards that increase the value of specific sets like fish, boats, penguins, and sailors.Duo Cards: Pairs of cards that grant one-time actions when played.
How To Setup Sea Salt & Paper
To set up the game, place the deck in the center of the table and create two face-up discard piles beside it. Each player starts with no cards in their hand. The objective is to collect points through various card combinations and strategies.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Drawing Cards: Players can draw two cards from the deck and keep one, discarding the other, or take one card from the top of one of the discard piles.Playing Pairs: Players can play matched pairs from their hand to their tableau, earning one point and a one-time free action.Set Collection: Collecting sets of specific cards (shells, octopi, penguins, sailors) to earn points.Multiplier Cards: Using multipliers to increase the value of certain sets.Mermaid Cards: Scoring points equal to the number of cards of the most prevalent color in the player’s hand.End of Round: A player with 7 or more points can end the round by saying “STOP” or declaring “LAST CHANCE,” which gives other players one more turn to try and beat the scorer’s points.
– If the “LAST CHANCE” player wins, they score all their points plus a color bonus.
– If they lose, they only score the color bonus, while other players score their normal points.Player Experience
Sea Salt & Paper offers a engaging and tactical gameplay experience, especially with its push-your-luck mechanism at the end of each round. Players must balance the risk of declaring “LAST CHANCE” against playing it safe, which adds a layer of drama and strategic depth. The game is compact and can be carried easily, making it a great option for quick, strategic play sessions. It works well at all player counts, though it is particularly enjoyable with two or three players.
Pros
Sharp Gameplay: The game is easy to get into but offers complex and interesting decisions.Unique Art Style: The origami art style makes the cards visually appealing.Portable: The game fits comfortably in a pocket, making it easy to carry.Replay Value: Easy to play multiple times due to its varied strategies and outcomes.Strategic Depth: The push-your-luck mechanism and set collection add layers of strategy to a seemingly simple game.
Cons
Scoring Complexity: The scoring system can be initially hard to understand.No In-Box Scoring System: Players need a pen and paper or a mobile phone to keep track of scores.Game Length: Games can sometimes run longer than expected, especially with more players.Special Case Rules: The game has special rules, such as canceling the round if the deck empties, which can be confusing.
Personal Thoughts on Sea Salt & Paper
Sea Salt & Paper is an excellent choice for those who enjoy tactical card games with a touch of luck and strategy. It is suitable for both casual and experienced gamers, particularly those who appreciate hand management and set collection mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for very young players due to its strategic complexity, it is a great family activity for older children and adults. The game’s compact size and quick playtime make it an ideal addition to any gaming collection.
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