Okiya

Remove a tile, place a token, and let each removed tile dictate your rival's next move.

Designer: Bruno Cathala
Published by: Blue Orange (EU)
Editions by: Blue Orange Games, Pegasus Spiele, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., Lautapelit.fi, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, Feelindigo, Jactalea, Le Grand Massif, Oxybul

Okiya is a tiny two-player duel played on sixteen tiles laid out in a four-by-four square. Each tile shows one of four plants (maple, cherry, pine or iris) and one of four poetic symbols (rising sun, bird, rain or tanzaku, a slip of paper for wishes). The first player removes a tile from the border and puts a token in its place. Now the rule that makes the game: your opponent may only take a tile that matches the plant or the symbol of the tile you just removed. Chain those forced choices well, and you line up your tokens to win the emperor's favor, while the other side tries to steer you into a dead end. Ten minutes of pure head-to-head.

Sixteen tiles in a four-by-four gridMatching plant or symbol limits each moveTen-minute duel for two

Who it's for

You want a quick abstract duel with a gentle Japanese theme and a clever movement restriction, perfect for a pair with a spare ten minutes.

Not for you if…

You are more than two or you want theme and story. This is a pure abstract, and the first few games can feel tricky to read.

Vibe's take

Small, sharp and cerebral. Every choice narrows the next one, so you keep seeing three moves ahead and sometimes one move too late. Thinking time is short, regret is long.