Review - Pocket Paragons: Space Lion
- Michael Stern
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Developer: Chris Solis
Publisher: Solis Game Studio
Game type and availability: Card game, available online and in select stores
Tiny Box, Big Duels
Ever wanted a game that you can pull out of your pocket and play with friends, without needing room or space to be able to play? At Gen Con 2025, I found just the game for you!
Pocket Paragons: Space Lion is a fast-paced dueling card game designed for 2 players, where each match feels like a miniature sci-fi battle of wits. Eight unique characters, called 'Paragons,' bring their own combat flavor - from the strategic finesse of Trey, the Distant Officer, to the chaotic strength of Mr. Oops, the Weary King.
This amazing game was introduced by the creator, Chris Solis, on his website’s blog back in January 2023. The game also takes its characters from the Space Lion board game, made by the same creator.
How to Play
Setup is very simple: each player picks a Paragon and takes their specialized deck and punch-board tracker. Each round, players choose one card from their hand to play, but there’s a twist: you play cards simultaneously.
Once both players reveal, effects resolve, and characters attack, defend, or manipulate recovery! The aim is to bring your opponent’s HP to zero or land a perfectly-timed Execute.
A signature 'Seal' mechanic makes certain powerful cards stay exhausted an extra turn, forcing you to think when to unleash your best moves. This mechanic was introduced into the earlier versions of the original Space Lion game, but was removed for fear of making the game more complicated and less fun for the players. Later, after the success of the Seal mechanic in Pocket Paragons, the developer decided to bring the mechanic back in small amounts to the Space Lion game in later editions, and only for certain cards.
Why It’s Fantastic
What grabbed me and my gaming buddies right away was how this little game packs tension into every second. A duel unfolds in 10–15 minutes, but each choice feels meaningful, strategic, and packed with personality. After demos at Gen Con, one friend declared it their favorite quick game of the show. The variety of Paragons means every match feels fresh, and the elegant design keeps the learning curve low—but the replayability high. The game can also be played against other Pocket Paragons, such as Temporal Odyssey, Origins, Aegis, or Rivals of Aether.
For a more in-depth how-to guide for playing this great game, feel free to check out the Pocket Paragons’ website here: Pocket Paragons.
Final Thoughts
If you want a game that’s easy to teach anywhere, whether at a café or in line for a panel, but still delivers dramatic, thought-filled duels, Pocket Paragons: Space Lion absolutely delivers. It’s portable, punchy, and unbelievably fun for a tiny box.
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