Tiny box battler a fine coffee time filler

There are hundreds of small box filler games out there theses days, and Charge & Spark is among them.

From designers Akiyama Koryo, and Kozu Yusei, with art from Saito Minori this one is a quick play duelling game for two players.

The set-up reminds of a fencing duel, each player starting at different ends of a ‘pathway’. Using cards you move your token hopefully toward the centre – such efforts can be thwarted by certain cards – to get the win.

You can also win by reducing the opponent’s health to zero.

Card actions do require ‘energy’ and you have a limited supply that once used you will need to spend turns replenishing.

Finding that balance of offence, defence and resource management is the key here.

In this game, players select a card to play for the turn and reveal them simultaneously.

The cards one has access to are limited here so you can get a descent handle on what they may have in-hand by keeping in mind what has been played – so memory plays a part.

The art here reminds of early generation video games – an acquired taste to be sure. In my case the art adds little to the game.

Game play though is surprisingly solid here, and so quick it is one you will want to be playing a best three-of-five, or four-of-seven, over an expended coffee or brew.

This is one that wins out for its portability, and quick play with some solid decisions to make.

Find this one via jelly2games.com or www.musokastudio.com