Rolling in the Reef
- July 13, 2018
- BrainGoodGames
Get on Steam"Rolling in the Reef" is a dice-driven strategy game where you guide a school of fish to thrive in their coral home. As a Sea Spirit, manipulate fish-dice, repel invaders, and dig up treasures. With unlockable artifacts, multiple playable "schools" of fish, and procedural generation, this game offers endless replayability and a deep, thoughtful experience.
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Reviews
- The game features a very good tutorial and a medium learning curve, making it accessible for new players while still offering depth for experienced gamers.
- It has a variety of unlockables, weekly challenges, and a gradual difficulty adjustment that keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- The game is praised for its unique concept, combining dice mechanics with a light, relaxing theme, making it a great casual strategy game.
- Some players find the game too easy, with a lack of control over difficulty leading to a less challenging experience.
- The game does not stand out significantly compared to other titles in the developer's library, leading to feelings of repetitiveness.
- There is a noted lack of narrative or story depth, which some players feel detracts from long-term engagement with the game.
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of familiar board game mechanics reimagined in a video game format, offering a relaxing and engaging experience that emphasizes spatial strategy, resource management, and risk management. While some players find the mechanics mildly interesting and lacking a 'wow factor,' many appreciate the easy-to-learn nature and addictive 'one more round' loop, making it enjoyable for both casual players and families. Overall, the game successfully combines simplicity with depth, providing a satisfying experience for those who enjoy strategic gameplay.
“While you could say that each new braingoodgame is 'just' an iteration on the same core principles, they always take a fresh approach to the same kind of mechanics and just keep getting better.”
“Its light theme, fun gameplay, and relaxing atmosphere make it a great way to unwind.”
“Gameplay is a completely engrossing mix of spatial strategy, resource management, and risk management.”
“Similar vibes to Solar Settlers, but the soundtrack feels less on point/theme than Solar Settlers, and the gameplay, while similar, is also pretty different.”
“The mechanics are fresh for a video game, but certainly not for board games.”
“It's unlike anything I've seen or played, but it has mechanics that are simple enough that I've seen and played many times.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is mixed; while it offers numerous unlockables and missions that enhance gameplay, some players feel that it lacks a compelling narrative to maintain engagement, particularly in comparison to other titles like "Solar Settlers." Overall, the storytelling is seen as minimal and insufficient to draw players in.
“Bgg has proven to have compelling and fun games with engaging storylines underlying the core gameplay.”
“Their last game, Solar Settlers, is a prime example of good storytelling in a casual game.”
“You unlock different bonuses, fish, missions, etc. for winning levels that stay permanently.”
“However, rolling in the reef lacks a story to keep me engaged to play more.”
“That's as deep as the story gets.”
“+ lack of storytelling”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of "Solar Settlers" receive mixed reviews; some players appreciate the balance between colorful backgrounds and clear, simple icons, while others find the artwork less appealing, describing it as slightly above basic programmer art. There are suggestions for improvements, particularly in achieving a more cohesive visual style and enhancing the underwater theme.
“I enjoy both, but the soundtrack and visuals of Solar Settlers are superior.”
“I especially like the graphics.”
“I prefer the older Braingoodgames with their really simple icons and flat colors to the graphics of their more colorful games (such as Solar Settlers, which is also great). This one seems to be the perfect balance between a colorful and active background, while still having a simple and clear playing field with easy-to-read icons.”
“The artwork is par for the course with the braingoodgames library in that it is one notch above programmer art.”
“While opinions differ, the artwork really isn't for me.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as catchy and light, but some users feel it lacks the thematic cohesion found in similar titles like Solar Settlers. While enjoyable, the soundtrack could benefit from a more immersive underwater vibe to enhance the overall experience.
“The theme is fun and light, the music is catchy but unobtrusive.”
“I enjoy both, but the soundtrack and visuals of Solar Settlers are superior.”
“I'd love to see this game revisited by the dev someday with a soundtrack that has a more cohesive feel to it and more of an underwater vibe and possibly tweak the visuals just a little.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its replayability, particularly due to its entertaining puzzle mechanics and procedurally generated levels. However, some players feel that the lack of compelling reasons to continue playing beyond a few levels may limit long-term engagement.
“Good game with a lot of replayability!”
“Very well done, very entertaining (if you like puzzle games), and very replayable.”
“The procedurally generated levels offer endless replayability, but I lack a reason to play the game after more than a level or two.”
“The game is easy to understand and offers a bit of replayability.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's light theme and fun gameplay contribute to a relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for unwinding.
“Its light theme, fun gameplay, and relaxing atmosphere make it a great way to unwind.”
