Onitoma

"An elegant and simple game of martial tactics."

Designer: Shempei Sato

Players: 2

Age: 14+

Game Time: 15-20 minutes

Objective of the game: "Capture your oponent's Kung Fu master to win the game!"

Board Game Contains:

- 1 Roll up playmat

- 2 Master pawns

- 8 student pawns

-16 Move cards

-1 Rulebook

Game Summary:

Onitama is a two-player, perfect information abstract game with a random starting set-up. Both players start with five pawns on their side with the main pawn in the middle. Each player has two open cardsthat each display a variety of possible moves for any of the player's pieces. On your turn, you have to choose one card, move your pieces according to the chosen card, then replace the card you used with a "Neutral Card." The other player then chooses one card from his or her pile, moves accordingly and exchanges that card with this "Neutral Card"- the card that first player just used. Moving onto one of your oponent's pawns removes that pawn from the game. Capturing the other player's main pawn, or moving your main pawn into their main pawn's starting spcae, wins you the game!

Game Review:

Onitama is a very calming and strategic game offering a unique and innovative take on chess styled games. It's a game rooted in Chinese martial arts culture. The tradition of challenging other schools to prove who's style is better really comes through in this game. Each move card is based off a different style of fighting and combined with a beautiful board, it makes for an engaging and relaxing game.

This is my favourite 2 player game of all times which I casually play wth my boyfriend. I love this game because it's easy to explain but there's so much strategy involved. You have to figure out a way to advance your pawns without getting taken by the other player's pawns.

Depending on who you're playing with, this game could take a while. When my boyfriend and I play this game, I don't think there was ever a time where one person actually won without the other conceeding. We're both so competitive, it's not really in our nature to give up easy. This game usually takes about 20 minutes or so before someone decides to conceed, which is unfortunate because I truly enjoy playing the game.