A Simple Life

Picture yourself having just moved to a quiet province and deciding your life will be simple yet purposeful. In "A Simple Life," you have only ten days—or rounds—to turn your plot into a thriving farm paradise. Each round begins with a roll of five dice. These dice are your hand of cards: you can use each one on different spots on your game sheet—planting, harvesting, making friends, or mining in the mountains. Each action moves you toward a secret goal revealed at the start—like "harvest 20 carrots" or "build a barn." If you meet the goal before the time’s up, the final score is your reward. The game is short, quick, and can be played solo or with a partner, making it a great warm‑up or a relaxing pastime on a lazy day. The artwork evokes classic pixel‑art games like Stardew Valley, bringing that nostalgic, simple‑life vibe.

Its roll‑and‑write mechanic means every decision is based on dice luck, but strategy still matters: choose where to place each die to maximize progress. If you love farming games, dice games, or short‑duration challenges, this tiny adventure will surprise you.

The game won several design contests, including first place in the 13th Roll & Write Game Design Contest for categories like Best Overall Game and Best Solitaire Game. Though its BGG rating is 1.66/5, the community praises its simplicity and speed, and it ranks in the top 10 2022 Brazil list. If you want a light, quick game with a videogame theme, "A Simple Life" is the right pick for your table.

It’s self‑explanatory: no costly components, just a printable game sheet and five dice. Simplicity doesn’t mean lack of depth—every choice counts, and the risk‑reward balance makes each play unique.

In short, if you’re after a quick, cooperative or solo game with a farming theme and roll‑and‑write mechanics, "A Simple Life" will let you enjoy the joy of cultivating life without complications.