Kelp is an asymmetric game for two players that offers them the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural world of pyjama sharks and common octopuses, set in a South African kelp forest. The game combines hide-and-seek with bluffing and manipulation, and deckbuilding with dice bag building.
Players take on the role of these iconic sea creatures and find that the game mechanics closely match their real-life behavior. Each creature has a unique path to victory. The octopus, known for its cunning and adaptability, moves stealthily around the board by playing cards and managing its visible and hidden blocks, reflecting the animal’s remarkable ability to camouflage and deceive. In contrast, the shark, embodying the merciless and determined hunter, patrols its territory and attempts to capture the elusive octopus by rolling dice and using special abilities to influence its luck, a representation of the shark’s instinctive behavior and predatory nature.
The game is an exciting mix of deck building, dice bag building, hide and seek, bluffing and manipulation.
There are three ways the game can end: the shark wins by successfully attacking the octopus. The octopus wins by surviving until the shark is exhausted, or by eating all four seafood.