One-Pagers That Stole the Spotlight

This August, I found myself wandering through a wide range of print-and-play games. From elaborate setups to quick fillers, I tried them all. But a couple of one-pagers kept calling me back. And they had more in common than I first imagined...

And it’s TownSpire and Growing Grounds. Both games launched on 5th August, the first thing they have in common. Let’s see what else connects them:

Timelessness in theme

Each of the games carries an essence of timelessness. TownSpire draws you into a medieval setting, where rebuilding a forgotten town feels like rewriting history. Meanwhile, Growing Grounds lets you step away from the present by nurturing something simple yet profound: a growing plant.

A fixed path

Neither game drags on without focus. Each comes with a fixed number of moves that frame the experience. Ten turns in TownSpire, twenty-four in Growing Grounds. That ticking limit creates a tension that makes every choice deliberate and every action count!

Impressive integrations

TownSpire integrates an app to bring its medieval journey to life, enabling you to enjoy the game only through the means of a pen, a mobile, and a map sheet. Meanwhile, Growing Grounds can be fully brought to life through introducing color pens. Color code the stem, leaves, and flowers to get a captivating final look for your playing sheet.

Something to keep

The most charming part is how both games leave behind something frame-worthy. A medieval town that looks like a slice of history. A blooming plant that holds the quiet satisfaction of creation. They are more than games. They become keepsakes, reminders of the time you spent within their worlds.

Not so easy!

Setting up the games might be easy, but scoring in both is challenging. I loved it, though. It made both games quite repeatable.

A solo musical experience

I preferred playing both games solo. I call them my de-stress games, the ones I love to play on my own with music on. And I had the perfect music for both: a medieval playlist for TownSpire on YouTube, and Old Tom Bombadil on repeat for Growing Grounds!

The one thing not in common: when their campaign ends

Both games’ Kickstarter campaigns have been going strong, but all good things come to an end. TownSpire has less than 3 days left in its campaign, while Growing Grounds has a week. Back the games if they’re your jam!

Let’s play a game: One button leads to TownSpire, the other to Growing Grounds. Test your luck!