Grove: 9 card solitaire game

Grove: 9 card solitaire game

Abstract StrategyCard GameFarming
Players
1
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
1 player
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
10 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
8+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
1.3 / 5
Year
2021

About the game

Grove is a citrusy sequel to the award-winning Orchard, packing an entire solo card game into just 18 cards. Players cultivate orange, lemon, and lime trees, using new 'glade' wild-card spaces and a fresh scoring mechanic to expand their harvest. A cheeky squirrel can help or hinder your fruit picking, and a wheelbarrow rewards especially large hauls. Recipe challenge cards on the reverse offer built-in win/lose conditions for players who want more than a beat-your-score format.

Hobbli's Notes

Grove is a testament to how much game can be packed into a tiny box: just 18 cards deliver a genuinely engaging tableau-building puzzle. The glade spaces and new scoring mechanic give it enough distinction from its predecessor Orchard to feel like a real sequel rather than a reprint. Its ultra-portable format makes it a great pocket game for solo travel. As a niche microgame, it's not widely known, so go in expecting a quiet, meditative puzzle rather than a flashy tabletop centerpiece.

What we like

  • Tiny 18-card footprint makes it extremely portable.
  • New glade spaces and scoring mechanic add fresh depth over its predecessor.
  • Recipe challenge cards provide built-in goals beyond beating your own score.
  • Quick ten-minute playtime suits solo sessions on the go.

Keep in mind

  • Solo-only focus limits its appeal for group game nights.
  • As a niche microgame, it may be hard to find and less broadly supported.
  • Comparisons to similar titles are uncertain given its narrow, specialized niche.

Who it's for

Ideal for solo gamers and fans of small-box puzzle card games who enjoy quick, portable, replayable challenges; ages 8+.

Mechanics

Melding and SplayingPattern BuildingSolo / Solitaire GameTile Placement

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