Samurai

Claim influence across feudal Japan — balance wins, greed loses

👥 2–4 playersapprox. 60 min🪄 A round to warm up10+
7.2 · BGG #282

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

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

from €348

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By the numbers

Players

Best at 3 playersWorks with 2–4

Duration

30–60 min

Ages 10+

Complexity

2.4 / 5 — Light

BGG Rating

7.2/10

Rank #282

17k ratings

Published

1998

Designed by

Reiner Knizia

Published by

Galakta, Descartes Editeur, Fantasy Flight Games, Skandinavisk Spil Kompagni, 999 Games, Korea Boardgames, Hobby Japan, Lighthouse Games, Hans im Glück, ABACUSSPIELE, Astrel Games, Ceilikan Jogos, Smart Ltd, Wargames Club Publishing, Lacerta, Yaofish Games, Rio Grande Games, Lautapelit.fi, Lanlalen, Edge Entertainment

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