We saw this game in Barnes and Noble but passed on it until we could go home and look up the rules. Watched your video, and went back first thing the next morning to buy the only copy on the shelf. We've been playing for hours...this game is AMAZING, an instant favorite. Everything about this game is fantastic and I am incredibly impressed with all aspects, whether game play, aesthetics, packaging, EVERYTHING.
I have played a variant where we shuffle the movement cards into a draw deck, and each players draws from the top of the deck, and is required to play the card he draws, which then goes into a discard pile. When the deck is empty and no one has won, you simply shuffle the discard and make a new deck.
I don't get the hate for the box. I think it's the perfect size for the game. A square box, given the flexible board, would be a waste of space. This will definitely fit in your shelf, next to all those small box games you have... you do have smaller games right?
John Reynolds I would assume to fit the play may. And I remember there was a survey on BGG or something where Arcane Wonders asked everybody what shape box they would want for the game.
I just ordered this game with the expansion. This looks so simple to play but difficult to master. I truly love the concept of the game as I love 2 player strategy games. Like Chess, Backgammon, Hnefatafl, Stratego, etc. This looks like a must have for any strategy game lover.
I'm just confused about the purpose of the dice towers essentails. is it actually a list of games that the dice tower thinks are essential games for a game collection or is it actually just games that are good that aren't in print?
I know people prefer standard game box sizes, but I think this will have good shelf appeal at Target and other retailers. I love the magnetic clasp and the mousepad style board. Definite buy for me!
So essentially a randomised version of shougi (Japanese chess) without piece promotion and on a much smaller board (5x5) than the standard size(s) (usually 9x9), let alone the gigantic ones (up to 36x36) that have all those wacky movements, but not as tiny as the barebones "doubutsu shougi" ("animal chess") (3x4) et al. Does look like lotsa fun, though.
This looks pretty cool, and I don't have any problem with the box. Was this one that originally came in a tube? If so, the box is way better. And I like the idea of a mousepad board.
@@tonyl2087 This is not as long as Duke (can be good thing, can be bad thing either). This is more simple, you have 5 posible patterns of movement, which will oscilate thru whole game ... but Duke has much more patterns and usually hidden in bag. For new player this can be quite hard :) So its more simple, more relaxing. Duke is really similar to chess.
It looks like the cards (or some at least) are not from the original game. For instance I don't think there is a card that moves like the "rabbit" card that Tom shows.
You are correct; several cards have been changed. Generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect.
+StandUpTheVanguard most cards will apply to pawn and master equally. Some of the cards are specific and give different movements to master or pawn and it will show you two different movements clearlylabeled.
+Critical Eats Japan And just looking *at* your channel makes me miss Ebi Filet-O and onigiri again... (Didn't care for most of the usually over-packaged sweet stuff.)
I have a DIY version of this game, built it for €3.00, love the game but unfortunately my wife doesn't, finds it is too much like chess and i always win.
Really don't like the components. a mouse pad mat? I was looking forward to this game coming out in the west, but now I think I'm going to try and make my own with a wooden board. The Japanese influence really seems lost in this version.
Several cards of the Japanese original have been changed for this edition; generally for the worse, in my opinion. What I find most disappointing is that they got rid of the three "split function" cards, where you had different move options for pawns and master. There was even one that let you advance the opponent's master (!) one space, often to hilarious effect. Was it really necessary to dumb down the game in this fashion? For me, this edition is an automatic non-starter.
The components look beautiful but the game is essentially a bunch of easily solvable puzzles. Each game looks easier than an expert level tsume shogi / chess problem and one can solve the game before the first move.
