ROVE: Results-Oriented Versatile Explorer

Button Shy, Banana Games, Even Toys and Games · Board game · 2021
1 · best 1 Solo 15 min Weight 2.0/5
7.6 rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Buy
7.6 rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy a quick, clever solo challenge with a sci-fi theme, ROVE is a great pick! It's a spatial puzzle that makes you really think through your moves.

Highlights
  • Engaging spatial puzzle
  • Fast and portable
  • Captivating sci-fi theme
  • Pattern-based replayability
Keep in mind
  • Solo play only
  • Can be challenging
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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About the game
Hey everyone! Ready for a solo space exploration mission that fits right in your pocket? In ROVE: Results-Oriented Versatile Explorer, you play as a resourceful explorer robot that's had a bit of bad luck and crash-landed on an unfamiliar planet. Your mission is now clear: reconfigure your upgrade modules to get yourself out of this jam! It's a spatial puzzle game where you need to rearrange 6 module cards to form specific patterns and escape. Each move costs movement points, which you get by discarding other cards. The trick is, if your current layout matches the pattern on the discarded card, you earn bonus points! Each module has its own unique movement style – some move diagonally, others push adjacent modules – and they also come with special single-use abilities that can save your skin in tight spots. Managing your hand of cards and using these abilities at the right time is crucial to avoid being stranded on this planet forever. It's a quick, clever game perfect for anyone who enjoys a solitary challenge with a sci-fi theme and pattern/movement mechanics.
Rules videos

In English

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Game details

Families

Containers: Wallets Game: ROVE Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Players: Solitaire Only Card Games Players: Solitaire Only Games Series: Micro Game (Matagot) Series: ROVE Series: Wallet & Box Micro Games (Button Shy) Theme: Robots
Publisher Button Shy, Banana Games, Even Toys and Games, Frosted Games, Matagot, MeepleMood, Salt & Pepper Games
Designer Dustin Dobson, Milan Zivkovic
Artist Dustin Dobson, Milan Zivkovic
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play?
ROVE is strictly a one-player (solo) game.
How long does a game take?
A game of ROVE typically lasts around 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick break.
Is the game difficult?
It's considered to have a low-to-medium weight (1.96/5 on BGG), but the difficulty can increase depending on the patterns you need to form and your familiarity with the mechanics.
Do I need many components?
No! It's a card game, usually in a Print & Play format or a compact wallet, ideal for taking anywhere.
Who do you recommend ROVE for?
We recommend it for fans of solo games, spatial puzzles, sci-fi themed games, and those who enjoy hand management and pattern recognition mechanics.
Do I need to know English to play?
Generally, no. The rules are quite visual, and the cards don't have much text, making it accessible even for non-native speakers.
Are there any expansions for ROVE?
As of now, ROVE is a standalone game, and no official expansions have been announced.