Box front · source
What this is
Dispute the favor of three different castes in order to unite Japan under their rule. Players compete to gain the favor of three factions: samurai, peasants, and priests, which are represented by helmet, rice paddy, and Buddha tokens scattered about the board, which features the islands of Japan. Players can make lightning-quick strikes with horseback ronin and ships or approach their conquests more methodically.
At a glance
- Players
- 2–4
- Listed play time
- 30–60 minutes
- Minimum age
- 10 and up
- Designer
- Reiner Knizia
- Photographs
- 4
How players rate Samurai
Every dimension is rated on its own. The left column judges the game and higher is better; the right column describes it, where neither end of the scale is the good end.
Every dimension
15 measures. Some judge the game; the rest simply describe it.
How good it is
Judgements, rated out of 10. Higher is better.
- Longevity and replayability6.9/10
- Ease of teach4.6/10
- Gateway friendliness5.0/10
- Component quality5.9/10
- Table presence5.9/10
- Travel friendliness5.9/10
What it's like
Descriptions, not verdicts. Neither end is better.
- Player interactionModerate5.2SolitaireConstant
- CutthroatnessCompetitive4.6FriendlyRuthless
- Role of luckMostly skill4.5Chance-drivenPlayer-driven
- Theme integrationPresent5.5Pasted onWoven in
- Rules complexityHeavy3.8LightHeavy
- Decision complexityDemanding3.8SimpleDemanding
- Language dependencyMinimal2.4No textText-heavy
- Table spaceKitchen table4.9Lap trayTwo tables
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Gallery
3 further photographs · select one to enlargeRules & files
Rulebooks, FAQs and reference sheets- rulebookSamurai Fantasy Flight Games 2015 English RulebookEN · 8 pagesAwaiting publisher permission
Box & shelf
Box dimensions are not recorded for this edition yet. Once a publisher supplies them, or an owner measures them, this shows shelf volume, spine width and how many copies fit in a 33 cm cube.