Ikusa
Bid your koku, raise armies and fight across feudal Japan for the title of Shogun.
Who it's for
You love grand, dice-driven war games with a Japanese theme, a big map and a free evening or afternoon with a group of four or five.
Not for you if…
You want a short, tidy game or low luck. Games run for hours and the dice can overturn good plans.
Vibe's take
Epic, long and swingy, with big bids, big attacks and bigger blowups. The dice make every battle uncertain.
About this game
Feudal Japan in civil war, and plan on a long evening. Each player leads a faction fighting for castles, provinces, and finally the title of Shogun. Every round you secretly split your koku between bids and purchases: turn order, castles and fortresses, fresh troops and ronin, and a lone ninja up for auction. Then, in turn order, you plan and launch attacks across the islands, and dice settle the battles. Armies led by daimyo roam the map while provincial forces hold home territory. Also sold as Samurai Swords, it is a classic of the big-box era: long, swingy, and best with the right group.
Get it
Mechanics
By the numbers
Players
Duration
240–360 min
Ages 12+
Complexity
3.0 / 5 — MediumBGG Rating
6.5/10
Rank #1,382
5.4k ratings
Published
1986
Language
Some text
Designed by
Michael Gray
Published by
Renegade Game Studios, Milton Bradley, Avalon Hill, Wizards of the Coast
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