Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road (2022) Board Game

Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road is a strategic card game that was released in 2022 by EmperorS

It is designed by Jerry Chiang and Eros Lin, with artwork by Maisherly. The game is set in the world of geishas in ancient Japan, where players compete to win the favor of the geishas by presenting them with gifts and performances.

Game Components of Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road

Geisha Cards: Representing the five geishas, each with their own scoring marker.

Item Cards: 21 cards that players use to influence the geishas’ movements.

Action Markers: Four action tiles (Reveal, Intrigue, Gift, Competition) that dictate player actions.

Lantern Cards: Light and Dark Lantern tiles used for scoring.

Guest Tokens: Tokens collected based on geisha movements, contributing to prestige points.

Teahouse Track: A circular track where geishas move and return to their homes.

Scoring Markers: Used to track control over each geisha.

How To Setup Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road

To set up the game, place the five teahouses in a circle and position the corresponding colored geisha standee on each. Shuffle and deal six Item Cards to each player. The remaining Item Cards form the draw pile. Each player chooses one Scoring marker to move to their side of the Geisha Card as an initial tiebreaker. The Light and Dark Lantern cards are set up as specified in the rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Structure: The game is played over two or three rounds, with each round consisting of four turns per player.

Actions:

Reveal: Play an Item Card face-up into your tableau.

Intrigue: Play an Item Card face-down, discarding another card.

Gift: Give three cards to your opponent, who chooses one; you play the remaining two.

Competition: Offer two sets of two cards to your opponent, who chooses one set; you play the remaining set.

Geisha Movement: Cards played influence the geishas’ movements around the teahouse track.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the cards in each player’s tableau and the Lantern cards collected when a geisha returns to her teahouse.

Objective: Win two rounds by having the most prestige points from Lantern cards and Guest Tokens.

Player Experience

Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road offers a nuanced and strategic experience, especially for fans of the original game. The game is full of implicit intentions and veiled messages, requiring players to make calculated risks and hide their true intentions. The addition of the circular teahouse track and the Guest Tokens adds a new layer of complexity and strategy, making it engaging but not overwhelming.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Simple actions lead to complex strategic decisions.

Engaging Gameplay: The game requires a balance of short-term and long-term planning.

Attractive Artwork: The game’s artwork seamlessly integrates with the original Hanamikoji.

Scalable Complexity: Suitable for both new and experienced players, though experienced players may need to adjust to new mechanics.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed only for two players.

Learning Curve: Players familiar with Hanamikoji may need time to adjust to the new mechanics.

Dependence on Luck: The draw of Item Cards can introduce an element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road

Hanamikoji: Geisha’s Road is for players who enjoy strategic, competitive games with a touch of elegance and cultural depth. It is particularly suited for fans of the original Hanamikoji who are looking for a fresh yet familiar experience. The game’s subtle complexity makes it an excellent choice for gamers seeking a challenging yet accessible two-player game.

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