Rolling in the Reef

About

Rolling in the Reef is a single player strategy game. It was developed by BrainGoodGames and was released on July 13, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

The game offers enjoyable and engaging puzzle mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master, making it suitable for both casual and dedicated players.
There is a good variety of unlockable content and weekly challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and encourage replayability.
The game features a gradual difficulty curve that adjusts based on player performance, allowing for a balanced challenge as players progress.

Some players find the game too easy, especially at lower levels, which may lead to a lack of challenge for experienced gamers.
The game lacks a compelling narrative or story, which can make it feel less engaging over time compared to other titles from the developer.
There are concerns about the game's automatic difficulty adjustments, as players have no control over the challenge level, which can be frustrating.

gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of familiar board game mechanics presented in a fresh and engaging way, offering a mix of spatial strategy, resource management, and risk management. Players appreciate the light theme and relaxing atmosphere, making it enjoyable for both casual and strategic play, while the easy-to-understand mechanics cater to a wide audience, including children. Overall, the game provides a satisfying experience with a compelling "one more round" loop that keeps players engaged for hours.
- “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.”
- “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).”
- “- The mechanics are fresh for a video game (maybe), but certainly not for board games proper.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's story aspect is mixed; while some titles from Bgg, like "Solar Settlers," showcase engaging narratives that enhance gameplay, "Rolling in the Reef" falls short with minimal storytelling, leaving players wanting more depth and engagement. Unlockables and missions provide some incentive, but the lack of a compelling story detracts from the overall experience.
- “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”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the graphics of "Solar Settlers" receive mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the balance between colorful backgrounds and clear, simple icons, others find the artwork less appealing, describing it as slightly above basic programmer art. There are suggestions for future improvements, particularly in achieving a more cohesive visual style.
- “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.”
- “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.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is described as catchy and light, but some players 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.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Overall, the game is praised for its replayability, particularly due to its entertaining puzzle mechanics and procedurally generated levels. However, some players feel that there is a lack of motivation to continue playing beyond the initial levels, which 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 game is easy to understand and offers a bit of replayability.”
- “The procedurally generated levels offer endless replayability, but I lack a reason to play the game after more than a level or two.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.”