Matthew BaileyToday we’re diving into “Spice Ships,” a fun, quick little set-collection card game that might just become my new go-to recommendation when someone asks for a light, fast-paced game.
I played this one with Jack (9) and also tried it with Toby (6), and both loved it.
“Spice Ships” is all about building up a collection of islands, establishing trade routes, and trying to stop the other players succeeding. It’s a fast-paced card game for up to five players (though you could sneak in a couple more… we won’t tell).
The aim of the game is to set up spice trade routes. Here’s how you do it:
- Lay down an island card.
- After placing an island, you can create a trade route by either:
Adding two spice ships that match the spice/colour of the island, or
Adding one trade agreement card.
Gameplay Basics
You start with three cards each, and players take turns in the order of whoever has the longest name going first. On your turn, you can choose one of the following actions:
- Add an island to your portfolio by placing it face up on the table.
- Add a ship or trade agreement to one of your portfolio islands.
- Play an event card by placing it face up on the discard pile.
- Discard a card by placing it face up on the discard pile.
After taking your action, you draw a card to bring your hand back up to three. Simple as that!
Event and Fortune Cards
As well as the island, ship, and trade route cards, there are also event cards to add a bit of spice. Here are some examples:
- Shipwreck: Send one ship to the discard pile.
- Piracy: Steal an island (and any ships/trade agreements on it) from another player.
- Redirection: Move a ship from someone else’s island to yours.
- Storm: Makes opponents discard their hand and redraw.
There are also fortune cards, which you can play out of turn to block someone’s actions or to take the top card from the discard pile.
Winning the Game
The winner is the first player to create three trade routes. Officially, it’s two routes in a game with three or more players, but we found aiming for three was more satisfying even with smaller groups.
We loved this game—it’s quick, engaging, and Jack (9) and I got so fast that we were playing rounds in under three minutes! Perfect for popping in a bag or even a coat pocket for some on-the-go fun.
Final Thoughts
The production values are solid, with good-quality cards, and there’s even a deluxe version that comes with a lovely slipcase. The creators are currently on holiday for a week (typical timing for my review!), but once they’re back, items on their website should stop showing as “sold out.”
It is a little bit expensive for a quick card game but this is because its an independent production made on a small scale. For what its worth I have have to pass my review copy to someone else but am intending on ordering my own copy with the nice pouch to put the cards in 
Overall, “Spice Ships” is a fantastic, quick little game that I’ll definitely be re-recommending when I do this year’s Xmas stocking filler suggestions!
Disclaimer: A copy of “Spice Ships” was provided for review by the designer via the “UK BG Review circle.” All of our thoughts and opinion are however our own.
