Yokai Septet (2018) Board Game

Yokai Septet is a card game that was released in in 2018. Designed by yio and Muneyuki Yokouchi, the game is set in a world of Japanese mythology and folklore. Players take on the roles of Yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, and compete to collect sets of cards in a trick-taking style game.

Game Components of Yokai Septet

Cards: 49 cards, including 7 foil cards (63 x 89mm).

Player Aids: 4-6 player aids/scoring trackers depending on the edition.

Scoring Tokens: 20 scoring tokens in the Second and First Editions.

Rulebook: 1 English rulebook; additional languages in the First Edition (French, Japanese, Chinese).

Lead Player Card: 1 lead player card.

How To Setup Yokai Septet

To set up Yokai Septet, the entirety of the deck, save for one card, is dealt out to the players. In a four-player game, each player receives 12 cards. The last card is revealed and determines the trump suit for that round. Players then pass three cards to their partner in team-based games. The player with the green A leads the first trick.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players play cards following the rules of trick-taking games.

Unique Suit Distribution: Each of the seven suits has a different distribution of numbers (e.g., Green includes cards A-7, Purple includes cards 2-8).

Team Play: In 4-player games, players form teams; in 2- and 3-player games, players compete individually.

Objective: Capture high-scoring Boss Yokai by winning tricks, especially those containing the number 7.

Round End Conditions: A round ends when one team captures four or more 7s, or when one team wins seven tricks without capturing four 7s, or when no players have cards left.

Scoring: The first team to score seven points wins the game.

Player Experience

Yokai Septet offers a dynamic and social experience, typical of trick-taking games. Players must strategize based on the unique distribution of numbers in each suit, making it challenging to predict outcomes. The game encourages constant communication and calculation, especially in team-based play. However, the seven suits can make the game feel less intentional and more luck-dependent.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The varying number distributions in each suit add a fresh twist to traditional trick-taking.

Social Interaction: Encourages communication and strategy between teammates.

Quick Playtime: Games are typically short, lasting 30 minutes.

Cultural Theme: Incorporates Japanese folklore, adding a rich thematic element.

Cons

Complexity: The seven suits can make the game feel complex and hard to follow, especially for new players.

Luck Dependency: The game has a significant element of luck due to the random distribution of cards.

Information Overload: The multitude of suits and varying number distributions can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Yokai Septet

Yokai Septet is ideal for fans of trick-taking games and those interested in unique mechanics and cultural themes. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy strategic gameplay with a hint of luck. However, it may not be the best choice for beginners due to its complexity and the need to adapt quickly to the game’s unique suit distributions. Overall, it offers a challenging and engaging experience for seasoned players looking to spice up their trick-taking game collection.

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