First Look: U’solli — Prayer in Motion
First Look: U’solli — Prayer in Motion
Between launching new books and navigating the chaos of Chinese New Year, I recently found time to check out U’solli, a compact strategy game that landed on my desk courtesy of the publisher. While its theme draws from Islamic prayer practices, it’s first and foremost a point-to-point movement game.
Fitting snugly in a travel-friendly box, U’solli sets up quickly and wraps up in under 30 minutes. The gameplay revolves around two simple choices each turn: move or pray. What makes the movement interesting is how directional indicators constrain your options on your current location card. As you navigate the board, you’ll collect cards that can later be converted to points through the prayer action.
I tested it solo and with my wife, though my packed schedule hasn’t allowed for larger player counts yet. The game feels smooth at these counts, offering enough decisions to keep things engaging but with minimal complexity. While it may not become a frequent edition to Gamenight (our collection runs deep), I can see it finding a sweet spot for many gamers as a palate cleanser between weightier games or as a travel companion.
The visuals impressed me— especially for an early review prototype! The visual design shows careful attention to detail without letting the religious theme dominate the experience. For players simply seeking a quick-playing strategy game, the prayer mechanics integrate naturally as point-scoring opportunities rather than feeling preachy.
At its core, U’solli delivers a solid, if modest, gaming experience that knows exactly what it wants to be. While it may not revolutionize your game shelf, it handles its cultural source material respectfully while maintaining broad accessibility.
Early verdict: 3/5 — A competent filler game with clean mechanics and thoughtful presentation. I have received a prototype of this game, and I chose to review the game freely.
For my subscribers, I will have some more board game articles coming in the near future. I’ve found some time to write again. See you all soon.
