Hoppsi

Hoppsi is a small-scale capture game designed for a 5x5 grid. It’s built on a simple, high-tension constraint: pieces must always move forward. But there’s a twist. When your pieces hit the opponent's back row, they rebound, turning around to hunt from behind. Every move shifts the momentum, turning a safe position into a trap in a single turn. What makes Hoppsi different is the Match Play scoring. You aren't just playing one game; you’re playing for points in a match, much like rugby or football: Capture the enemy Captain for 1 point. Breach the opposing home row with your own Captain for 2 points. Capture all of your opponent's runners for 3 points. First to 5 points wins the match. Whether you're playing for a quick capture or a high-scoring shutout, Hoppsi is deep enough for the serious strategist but lean enough to play on a napkin with a few spare coins. It’s small-scale strategy with big-game stakes. —description from the designer