Kelp: Shark vs Octopus
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.5 / 5
- Year
- 2024
About the game
Kelp: Shark vs Octopus is an asymmetric two-player game that recreates a predator-and-prey hunt in a South African kelp forest. One player controls a cunning Octopus, sneaking around by playing cards and managing hidden and revealed blocks to camouflage and evade, while the other commands a relentless Shark, patrolling and rolling dice to track down its prey. Blending deck-building with dice-bag building, the game layers hidden movement and bluffing atop each side's distinct toolkit. The Shark wins by catching the Octopus, while the Octopus wins by surviving or gathering all four seafoods.
Hobbli's Notes
Kelp stands out for its true asymmetry: the Octopus and Shark don't just have different powers, they play completely different games layered on top of each other, deck-building versus dice-bag building. That contrast keeps both roles feeling fresh and tense, especially as the hidden movement ratchets up the paranoia. It's a great pick for two players who enjoy nature-themed hide-and-seek tension with real mechanical depth on both sides.
What we like
- Strong asymmetry gives each side a genuinely different play experience.
- Hidden movement and bluffing create real tension throughout.
- Fresh nature theme brings real animal behavior into the mechanics.
- Combines deck-building and dice-bag building in an inventive way.
Keep in mind
- Asymmetric design means learning two different rule sets.
- Strictly two-player, so it won't suit larger groups.
- Newer release with a less established track record.
Who it's for
Ideal for two players, ages 10+, who enjoy asymmetric hidden-movement duels with an animal and nature theme.
