Shallow Regrets
Shallow Regrets at your next game night?
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- Designer Judson Cowan
- Publisher Button Shy
- Illustration Judson Cowan
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You’ll pull strange, eldritch fish from shoals and weigh risk against reward. Each turn you draft from chosen shoals and may keep a fish if you meet its strength requirement based on hooks in previously caught fish. Many fish grant once-per-game abilities that you exhaust to use. Games are quick (about 15 minutes) and center on tactical drafting, push‑your‑luck decisions and set collection.
Who Is This Game For?
Good for players who like compact, thematic card games; its mechanics place it between a family game and a light euro. Designed for 2–3 players, age 8+, it works well as a micro- or travel game. Prior experience with drafting or set-collection helps but isn’t required.
How It Works
Shallow Regrets combines Open Drafting, Push Your Luck, Set Collection, Take That and Once-Per-Game Abilities. On your turn you reel from chosen shoals, pick one fish to keep if your existing hooks meet its strength, and return unkept fish. Many cards have exhaustable abilities that affect play. Scoring totals caught fish values; foul fish can impose penalties.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Judson Cowan, the game packs horror and nautical themes into a compact card game (Print & Play / travel-friendly). The description calls it the leaner cousin of Deep Regrets, and it mixes take‑that elements with tactical resource requirements (hooks). No awards are listed in the provided data.
Pro
- Very short playtime (~15 minutes) — great as a filler
- Strong horror/nautical theme
- Tactical depth from combining Open Drafting and Push Your Luck
- Accessible rules and compact format
Contra
- Limited to 2–3 players
- May feel too brief for players seeking longer strategic sessions
Setting & atmosphere
You fish in dark waters for uncanny, multi-eyed and sharp-toothed creatures. The game blends maritime angling imagery with cosmic horror, as described in the game text.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on meeting strength requirements via hooks and aim for simple set-collection goals; avoid overly risky gambles early on.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is listed for 2–3 players; a solo mode is not mentioned.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is about 15 minutes, making individual sessions very short and setup minimal.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with drafting or set-collection helps, but the age rating of 8+ indicates approachable rules.
How does this compare to similar games?
It pairs Open Drafting with Push‑Your‑Luck and once‑per‑game abilities; the description describes it as the leaner cousin of Deep Regrets.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. With a minimum age of 8 and short playtime, it suits family play if 2–3 players are available.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Open Drafting, Push Your Luck and exhaustable once‑per‑game abilities defines its gameplay.
Fazit
A tight, tactical micro-game that delivers quick, risk-focused sessions — recommended for players seeking 15-minute drafting encounters, less so for those wanting long campaigns.
Shallow Regrets at your next game night?
Add Shallow Regrets to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Shallow Regrets to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
