| | | | | | |

Mottainai (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Mottainai is a card game designed by Carl Chudyk and published by Asmadi Games in in 2015. The game is inspired by the Japanese concept of “Mottainai,” which means a sense of regret when something is wasted.

Game Components of Mottainai

  • 54 unique cards in the deck (2 decks in the Deluxe version)
  • 6 Reference cards
  • 1 rulebook
  • Temple cards for each player
  • Materials and works cards

    How To Setup Mottainai

    To set up Mottainai, each player receives a large Temple card and a hand of 5 regular cards. An additional card is placed face down under the Temple in the task slot. Players discard a card from their hand to the Floor, with the card closest to ‘A’ determining the first player. The game is ready to start with these simple yet critical initial steps.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Mechanics:** Action Selection, Tableau Building, Hand Management, Set Collection
  • Game Phases:** Morning, Noon, and Night
  • Morning:** Return excess cards, discard the task card, and apply morning effects on completed works.
  • Noon:** Perform tasks, collect materials, and manage helpers.
  • Night:** Collect drawn cards and prepare for the next day
  • Objective:** Score the most points by completing valuable works, making sales, and managing backorders.

    Player Experience

    Mottainai is known for its complex rules and multiple moving parts, making it challenging to teach but rewarding once understood. Players take on the roles of monks in a Buddhist temple, creating works to display and sell to visitors. The game requires strategic card management and combination of different card types to achieve the highest score. Despite its complexity, the gameplay is relatively quick, with each turn involving only a few actions.

    Pros

  • Deep Strategy:** Offers a rich combinatorial gameplay experience.
  • Quick Turns:** Despite the complexity, turns are fast-paced.
  • Beautiful Theme:** Set in a Japanese Buddhist temple, adding a unique cultural flair.
  • Replayability:** With 54 unique cards, each game can be different.

    Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve:** Difficult to teach and comprehend initially.
  • Complex Rules:** Many moving parts and different card uses can be overwhelming.
  • Limited Player Count:** Best with 2-3 players; 4-5 players require careful management.

    Personal Thoughts on Mottainai

    Mottainai is for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategies and engine-building mechanics. It is not ideal for new players due to its intricate rules and multiple card uses. However, once mastered, it offers a highly rewarding and challenging experience that appeals to fans of games like Glory to Rome and Innovation. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and offers deep gameplay, Mottainai is definitely worth considering.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *