Gator’s Game Overview
Navigating Shallow Regrets
In Shallow Regrets, you’re on the worst fishing trip of your life. You aim to catch as many horrific things as possible without pulling too many foul fish or being sabotaged by your opponents.
Key Coordinates
Crew Size: 1-4
Voyage Time: 15 Minutes
Cadet Years: 8+
Mapping the Mechanics
Setting Up Shallow Regrets
- To set up the game, shuffle all 18 fish cards and deal them into six piles, each containing three cards, referred to as “shoals.”
- Make sure that three small shadows are visible.
- The player who had the most remorseful day goes first.
Gameplay
- Players take turns fishing. On your turn, draw two cards, one at a time, from any shoal or combination of shoals. Choose one card to keep, or “catch,” and return the other card face down to one of the shoals.
- If you throw a fish back, and there is an empty shoal available, it must go there. If there are no empty shoals, you may not cover any small shadow with the card unless all shoals have small shadows.
- Each player starts with a strength of zero. This strength increases based on the number of fish hooks you have caught. If your fish hook strength meets or exceeds the value of the drawn card, you can keep it. If it does not, you must throw it back.
- You can only catch one fish per turn. If you do not have any matching hooks, all your drawn cards return to the shoals.
- Each card has a unique ability that can be activated once per game. Rotate the card to indicate that you have used it, even if another player has swapped it. You still retain points and strength associated with that card.
Ending the Game
- The game ends when all fish have been caught or when no players can catch any more fish.
- After the game, tally up the points. The player who caught the most foul fish loses two points. The player with the highest score at the end wins!
Pressed for time and want a visual map of the mechanics? Check out my one-minute “how to play” video here:
Navigator’s Notes
ButtonShy has knocked it out with another fantastic 18-card wallet game! The artwork is captivating and truly draws me into this horrific fishing trip. It’s easy to teach, quick to play, and, of course, entertaining. The gameplay lends itself to a light deck builder by trying to get multiple hooks for bigger fish, making it quite enjoyable. The surmounting tension of knowing your opponent can use a fish’s ability during their turn creates that pressure we all know and (usually) enjoy during games. It balances between not too many “gotcha” moments and focusing on your fish.
Who Should Embark?
If you’re looking for a portable game, easy to learn, and feel like going on an adventurous fishing trip.
The Navigator’s Chart
Calm Coastline: A light and easy-to-learn game, perfect for casual play or introducing new gamers.
End of the Voyage
Because I love pirates and sea lore so much, it’s no surprise I’m completely enamored with a fishing game full of wild sea creatures from ButtonShy. Whether you picked up a copy of Deep Regrets or not, Shallow Regrets is a perfect addition to your small games collection. Don’t pass this by; turn your normal Shallow Regrets into Deep Regrets. Kickstarter link posted below!
A special thanks to ButtonShy for generously providing a copy of Shallow Regrets.
Navigator Lana 
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