Game: Space Park
Designer: Henry Audubon
Publisher: Keymaster Games
Player count: 1-4
Set-up time: 2-3 minutes
Play length: ± 10 minutes
Win condition: win/loss: race to 20 points before the deck runs out
AI/automa: yes
how the solo game works
In Space Park you'll compete against Scout who will keep you from getting resources and will speed up the game by flipping a badge card every turn. Flip a card? Move Scout to the corresponding destination. Flip the same colour after? Move all rockets one space clockwise. Flip a forbidden badge? Do the same. It's enough to mess up your strategy and keep you on your toes, because depending on where you can fulfill your contracts, it can take a lot of turns to get there, and time is always running out.
solo rulebook
Solo rules are quickly explained in the back.
missing in solo
The mechanisms rondel, contracts and set collection are unchanged. In multi-player there is a bonus associated with controlling Scout that is missing in solo, since you're always working against Scout.
solo thoughts
positive
It is quick to set up, does not require a lot of space on the table, is easy to bring with you on holiday and is the perfect filler. The simple blocking mechanism makes it a fantastic puzzle, especially when you'll flip a card the same colour as the previous, have to move all of the rockets forward and see your exit strategy go up in flames. Plus: the artwork.
negative
There's a bit of luck invlolved in drawing cards to move Scout around, which feels a bit take that-y.
house rules
None are needed, but I usually make a point of not blind drawing badge cards, so as not to run through the deck too quickly. That deck will run out fast enough on its own, without you speeding up the process.
verdict
Space Park can be brutal, but my win percentage is around 65% (according to BG Stats) so it's sunny with a chance of rain sort of brutal. I definitely recommend this game for its rondel + contracts mechanism, the beautiful art and the quick set-up and play.