18 cards, small pack, solo game: even though this concept is mainly used in button-shy games, we find "Hermit" at another publisher. Board Game Circus has taken over the German localization of the solo game published by the indie publisher Zerua Games. How much play do you get with the 18 cards?
The little hermit crab "Hermit" sits on the beach and has to reach the next wave to get back to the sea in time. The players put together patterns out of shells and starfish that can be seen on the cards laid out as a coast. By placing them cleverly, they can help Hermit on his way to the wave.
Much from Little
Just as quickly as you get an overview of the entire game material, you can also get through the concise rules of Hermit.
Each turn goes through four phases. At the beginning you can fill up your hand. The hand card limit depends on how many bottle caps are visible. If a maximum of one is visible, it is two. Otherwise you can only hold one card.
Now you have to lay out a card. You can rotate it however you like and cover existing cards partially or completely. With this card you try to recreate the three-part pattern that the next card on the coast requires. At least one symbol must be shown on the newly laid card.
If the pattern has been recreated, Hermit moves one step to the right on the card. Otherwise, he simply stays where he is. If the new card is placed in such a way that, in addition to the pattern formed, there are also two identical symbols next to each other, the wave stays where it is. If two puddles are next to each other, the wave even moves one step to the left. In all other cases, the wave moves one step to the right.
If Hermit were to move onto the wave, at least one of the symbols must be on a piece of driftwood. In the advanced version, there must be two.
As soon as Hermit reaches the wave, the game is won. If the wave leaves the last card on the coast, you lose.
With various challenges, Hermit further incentives to keep building it up. In addition to the advanced side of the wave map, you can also start it on the eighth instead of the sixth coast map, you can try not to have any bottle caps visible at the end or not to cover any during the game, you can limit yourself to a 6x6 grid of symbols or choose another of the eight tasks.
Information about Hermit
| Number of people: 1 person (cooperative with multiple editions possible) Age: from 10 years Playing time: 10 to 15 minutes Difficulty: Family game Long-term motivation: good Mechanics: Replicating patterns, card game Game idea: Amelie Le-Roche Illustrations: Marlies Barends, Amelie Le-Roche Publisher: Board Game Circus Official Website: Hermit Year of publication: 2024 Language: German Cost: 13 Euro |
Conclusion
How much is possible with just 18 cards has already been impressively demonstrated in many games. The list of these games includes Hermit seamlessly.
The concept of the game is very simple and in itself it doesn't do anything fundamentally new. Every single card on the coast challenges you to find the best place for the new card. As long as you are allowed to hold two cards in your hand, you can plan ahead very well.
The most important thing to realise after the first game is that, in addition to the pattern itself, you also have to concentrate on placing the same symbols or puddles next to each other. This is easy to plan with the symbols. Since the puddles are only on half of the cards, you need a bit of luck to even see enough of them, but you can easily win without them.
For me, the "easy win" is the biggest weakness of the game. With the four variations of the basic rules (normal and advanced wave card, starting the wave on the 6th or 8th coast card), the game is too easy. If the wave starts on the eighth card, you need a bit more luck, but the movement of the wave can be controlled quickly.
Only with the different tasks Hermit really becomes a challenge. You really have to think carefully about how to place the cards optimally. This way the game can also prove itself in the long term.
With the short playing time of just over 10 minutes, Hermit Perfect for playing in between other games. If it didn't take up so much space with the coast made up of 10 cards, it would be even more practical. The packaging could also be more compact.
The cards are of very good quality, have a reasonable thickness, are finished with a nice linen finish and simply look beautiful. The little wooden Hermit figure is a very nice detail that makes the game seem more high-quality.
Hermit is a great example of how much can be achieved with little material. For me, it is one of the best small solo games of the year. It is both simple and quick enough to be played in a small time frame, and at the same time, thanks to the tasks, it is so versatile that you want to build it again and again.
