Samurai
Claim influence across feudal Japan — balance wins, greed loses
👥 2–4 players⏱ approx. 60 min🪄 A round to warm up10+
★ 7.2 · BGG #283
Who it's for
Euro gamers who appreciate classic, clean design. Best at 3 players where the board tension peaks.
Not for you if…
Not for players who want strong theme or direct confrontation. The abstraction can feel dry.
🦊
Vibe's take
Elegant, cerebral, balanced, timeless
See how it plays
About this game
Reiner Knizia's tile-placement classic set in feudal Japan. Compete to influence three types of figures — Buddhas, rice paddies, and high helmets — by placing tiles strategically on an island map. Winning requires balanced majorities across all three.
Knizia classicTile placementArea majorityTimeless design
Get it
By the numbers
Players
Best at 3 playersWorks with 2–4
Duration
30–60 min
Ages 10+
Complexity
2.4 / 5 — LightBGG Rating
7.2/10
Rank #283
17k ratings
Published
1998
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