Game Review: ROVE by Button Shy Games

ROVE: Results-Oriented Versatile Explorer created by Dustin Dobson and Milan Zivkovic and published by Button Shy Games

ROVE, the Results-Oriented Versatile Explorer, has crashed on an unfamiliar planet and needs to reconfigure itself several times in order to get out of trouble. The player (it's a solo game) guides the reconfiguring. The initial layout of its modules is a two by three grid of cards. 

These are randomly placed out, so your results may vary!

The modules have specific ways they move, maybe over other modules or pushing them. One module can move only diagonally, some only orthogonally. Each module has a special ability (the star box at the bottom) that may be used once during the game, like swapping modules or moving them to different places. Regular movement uses movement points on the mission/movement cards. The front of the card shows a mission for ROVE (more on that below), the back has movement points. Each card has a basic amount of points at the top. If the modules happen to match the pattern on the card, the player can use the extra points on the bottom of the card. Tick marks on the edge of the card help the player keep track of how many movement points have been used.

This card can use 4 points with the set-up above

The mission side of the card shows the configuration needed to advance. The modules have to be rearranged in a certain pattern, with one card in a specific spot within the pattern.

 

The bridge mission

Through the combination of movement points and card abilities, the player moves the cards around to match the mission pattern. When a movement card's points are used up, the card is discarded and the player has to use another card to keep working on the reconfiguration. 

A solution to the bridge mission!

Once completed, any leftover movement points are lost (i.e. the card is discarded). A new challenge is drawn and an additional movement card is drawn (as long as the player has fewer than five movement cards). If the draw deck is empty, the discard pile is flipped over (no shuffling!) and used. If the player can solve seven missions, ROVE is saved!

Victory (with only one movement point left!)

The minimalist art works well with this game. The graphic design is easy to understand and the mission cards' depiction of the challenges and the robot are charming. Big eyes are almost always cute. The expanding landscape as the mission cards are put down is also enjoyable.

The game play is even better. Each mission is a spatial puzzle with the player figuring out the smallest number of moves to create the mission solution. Sometimes the solution is easy and low-cost, other times it takes a bit of concentration, imagination, and a lot of movement points to solve. The grid does not reset between missions, meaning the next solution may be more or less difficult depending on the prior layout. The diminishing hand of movement cards also provides a challenge, especially when you try to configure a solution to get extra movement points. If the player is lucky, the initial grid has extra movement points already there. I found the variety of challenges fun and engaging. The game plays easily under twenty minutes and any failures made me want to try again, usually right away. 

Highly recommended as a solo challenge with lots of replayability and mental engagement.

ROVE is available for order directly from Button Shy Games.