Celebrating 1,000 Solo Plays of the Lovely Herbaceous
Join in the excitement as I reach 1,000 lifetime plays with the beautiful solo game, Herbaceous.
Over the years, there has been a single game that I’ve played the most and reported on the least. This month, I took a look at some potential milestones. I started playing Herbaceous back on March 28, 2018. It seemed quite fitting to reach my astounding 1,000th play exactly 2 years later. Enjoy this quick session report and look at my most-played game!
Game Overview
Game Name: Herbaceous
Publication Year: 2017
Designers: Eduardo Baraf, Steve Finn, and Keith Matejka
Artists: Benjamin Shulman and Beth Sobel
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
There is something so beautifully relaxing about planting herbs with a simple set of rules. It’s no wonder I play this on a daily or weekly basis most of the time!
Set collection is the main mechanic, and gameplay is on the lightweight side. It all works so nicely, though!
Simple Beauty
I realize that 1,000 plays in the span of 2 years sound almost unbelievable, but every play lasts about 5 minutes or less for me. The secret is in the simplicity…
Because it plays so smoothly, this is my game of choice right before I fall asleep. It’s usually part of my relaxation time at the end of the day when I get into a place of calm.
For that reason, I have a unique connection and absolutely love it for all of the ways it makes me feel a little sleepy.
Even if it’s not this game, I think it’s beneficial to have some sort of game to use for regularly winding down.
The Elusive Perfect Game
Although I won’t go into the specifics now, the maximum possible score is 67 points. Long have I hunted down that pesky number! My highest score so far has been 65 points, which I’ve achieved multiple times. Nothing higher… Yet.
I’m determined to have the perfect game, much as some bowlers strive for a perfect game of 300 points. Will I stop playing when I reach that milestone? Definitely not. There’s something almost meditative about the simple sequence of play and lightweight decisions. About half of my plays feel like I’m on auto-pilot, but I’m happy with that!
Orderly Herb Plants
Every round involves drawing 3 cards from the deck. One must be discarded, one is added to the public garden, and the last is added to the private garden. Any order works!
I like to mentally count 1-2-3 as I go through each round, which might be why gameplay is so relaxing for me.
Every herb can be planted, but the trick is to figure out where to place each one for the most points. Planting too soon can be catastrophic, as can waiting until the end.
I was quite excited for what might happen with my milestone play! Would I finally get a perfect score?!
Session Overview
Play Number: 999 and 1,000
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Required Play Space: 24″ x 18″
Setup Time: Almost None
Play Time: 5 Minutes per Play
Outcome: 51 and 51 (2 Wins)
I may not have scored amazingly well, but at least I was consistent! I also picked up the coveted biscuit during both plays, which was cause enough for celebration.
This is a great experience every time! I love this game.
%
1,000 Plays
Affordability
Price & Value
10
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
10
Originality
Design & Theme
7
Quality
Components & Rules
10
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
6
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
2
Continue the Conversation
What do you think of Herbaceous? Do you have a particular solo game you use to relax and unwind? My rating may look a little low, but my enjoyment of a game isn’t just about a single number. I’ve taken this box with me on many trips, and the game itself is a big part of my life. It may not be the greatest for everyone, but I absolutely love what it is to me!
What a great idea to have a solo game to play as a wind-down and relax. I typically don’t play solo games but I am starting to think I might do it more often as my wife has gotten a little burned out on games. I own Herbaceous Sprouts which also has a 1 player variant so I might give that a go. Thanks for the nice overview of the game and sharing your love of it!
All the best to you, Nathan! Solo games can be many things, and having a couple just to relax never seems like a bad idea. If your wife is burned out, they can provide a nice way to continue playing!
Good luck! And should you ever have any questions about solo games in general, I’m usually around a whole lot. If you’re on BoardGameGeek, I highly recommend stopping by the 1 Player Guild if you haven’t yet. Thanks for the kind words, too!