Night of the Ninja (2021) Board Game

Night of the Ninja is a party game released in 2021 by Brotherwise Games. Designed by Justin Gary, this game is set in a world of ninjas where players must use bluffing, deduction, and hidden roles to outwit their opponents. With a runtime of 15-30 minutes, this game is suitable for 4-11 players aged 12 and up.

Game Components of Night of the Ninja

33 Ninja cards

11 House cards

11 Player standees

35 Honor tokens

Papercraft art by Ben Charman, featuring intricately hand-cut and photographed designs.

How To Setup Night of the Ninja

To set up the game, players are randomly assigned one of two Houses (Lotus or Crane) and a rank. In games with an odd number of players, a Ronin character is introduced as a lone player. Each player is dealt three Ninja cards, from which they keep one and pass the other two to the next player. This drafting phase ensures each player has a hand of two cards. The game components, including the player standees and Honor tokens, are then arranged according to the instructions provided.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The first player to accumulate over ten points on their Honor tokens wins.

Team Assignment: Players are assigned to either the Lotus or Crane House, with a Ronin for odd-numbered player counts.

Card Drafting: Players draft Ninja cards, keeping one and passing two to the next player.

Card Phases: Cards are played in a specific order (Spy, Mystic, Tricksters, Blind Assassin, Shinobi) with each card type having unique abilities.

Ranking and Honor: The team with the highest ranking surviving member wins the round, and all members of that team, along with the Ronin if present, receive Honor tokens.

Ties: Ties are resolved based on the ranking number, with lower numbers having priority.

Player Experience

**Night of the Ninja** offers a dynamic and engaging experience with quick-paced rounds, each lasting about 5 minutes. Players must deduce who is on their team and who to trust while navigating the deadly actions of various Ninja cards. The game is designed to be accessible, allowing new players to learn quickly, and it maintains player investment even after elimination, as players can still gain points if their House wins.

Pros

Quick Rounds: Rounds are fast-paced, lasting only a few minutes.

Social Interaction: Encourages conversation, accusations, and deductions.

Accessible: Easy to learn and play, making it suitable for novice gamers.

Team-Based: Allows players to win Honor even if they are eliminated, as long as their House prevails.

Unique Art: Features papercraft art by Ben Charman, adding to the game’s visual appeal.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Some rounds may feel dependent on the luck of which Ninja cards are drawn.

Card Bending: Oversized cards may bend slightly, but this is not a significant issue.

Personal Thoughts on Night of the Ninja

**Night of the Ninja** is perfect for those looking for a light-hearted yet engaging social deduction game. It’s ideal for parties, novice gamers, and anyone who enjoys quick, interactive games. The game’s ability to keep players invested even after elimination makes it a great choice for groups of varying sizes. While it may not offer the depth of more complex games, its fast-paced nature and simple mechanics make it an excellent addition to any game collection.

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