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In Sunny Day Sardines, a fast-paced card game from 25th Century Games, 2-4 players compete to collect fish, fulfil orders, and race to earn the coveted Employee of the Month award.
Casting Your Line
Getting started is as simple as cracking open the tin. Inside, you’ll find colourful fish cards and order cards that look good enough to can. Each player gets a hand of fish cards, while four order cards are laid out on the table. These are the tasks players are racing to complete, and just like in a bustling cannery, the pace gets frantic fast.
On your turn, you can either pick up fish cards or complete an order. Simple, right? Not quite. There's a constant push-and-pull as you decide whether to reel in a two-fish card or complete an order before someone else beats you to it. More often than not, I've found myself regretting a hasty move, canning my double fish card for a measly two-pointer, only to see a shiny five-pointer pulled next. It's this kind of split-second decision making that keeps things exciting, even if it does leave you floundering now and then.
Turns are quick, and with only one action per round, forward planning is limited but you also avoid analysis paralysis. Opponents are always messing up your perfectly planned catch, making it hard to keep track of what everyone is collecting. By the time the last order card hits the table, tensions are high. Each player gets one final turn before the cannery closes for business and points are counted. Whoever has the highest score earns the prestigious Employee of the Month award. But with twelve months in the year, there's always room for a rematch. I can't tell you how many times I've been the first to suggest, best out of three, anyone?
Final Thoughts
Sunny Day Sardines is a delightful, bite-sized game that plays in just 15 minutes. With its compact design and simple rules, it’s an ideal choice for filling spare moments or taking on
the go. The tin packaging makes it perfect for tossing into a rucksack for a camping trip or any outdoor adventure. The game's charming theme and quaint design make it a joy to bring out. Despite its small footprint, it always manages to make an impression on the table.
What I really loved about this game is its accessibility. No reading required and the iconography is clear, making it a great fit for both younger and older players. Best of all? No scrambling to find glasses to decipher tiny text!
That said, the game’s simplicity might not satisfy players craving strategic depth. With just a limited set of cards and straightforward rules, it’s easy to master after a couple of rounds. I do wish it scaled better, adding a few more cards could introduce greater complexity and accommodate more players, which would be fantastic for group settings.
Despite that, Sunny Day Sardines is a charming little game that packs 15 minutes of fun in a compact tin. It shines at two players and is perfect for a quick coffee break, a train journey, or (my personal favourite) an upcoming camping trip.
About the author:
Sophie is a gamer, blogger, podcaster, and book lover with a passion for solo narrative video games. When she's not immersed in games or writing, she's probably out hiking. Her favourite board games feature worker placement, nature themes, and smart tableau-building mechanics.
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