Nekojima (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nekojima is a delightful board game released in 2023 by Unfriendly Games, designed by David Carmona and Karen Nguyen. The game combines elements of action/dexterity and party games, making it a unique and engaging experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Nekojima

Thick wooden dowels of various lengths, paired with stiff bits of cord in three different colors, representing pylons and power cables.

A circular plastic board divided into four quadrants.

A sheet of counters including chunky cardboard cats.

Two custom wooden dice.

Wooden cubes in the same three colors as the cords plus black, stored in a linen draw bag.

How To Setup Nekojima

To set up Nekojima, players start by placing the circular plastic board in the middle of the playing area. The wooden dowels (Denchuu) and their corresponding cords are prepared for use. The wooden cubes are placed in the linen draw bag, and the cardboard cats are set aside. Each player is ready to roll the dice to determine where to place the first Denchuu.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rolling Dice: Players roll two dice to indicate which quadrants of the board they can place the Denchuu.

Placing Denchuu: Players draw a cube from the bag and place a pair of Denchuu in the specified quadrants, ensuring the cords do not touch poles or other cords.

Stacking: As the game progresses, players stack the Denchuu atop each other.

Cooperative and Competitive Modes: The game can be played cooperatively or competitively, with the objective varying between beating a level or outmaneuvering opponents.

Variants: Includes several variants, such as limiting stack height or playing in pairs.

Player Experience

Playing Nekojima is a dynamic and visually appealing experience. The game starts straightforwardly but quickly becomes challenging as the tower of Denchuu grows, and cats are added to the mix, potentially causing chaos. The game requires a mix of strategy and dexterity, especially as players navigate the risk versus reward of making placements that might hinder their opponents or ensure their own success. The cooperative mode reverses this strategy, focusing on making it easier for subsequent players to add to the structure.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game looks spectacular on the table with its ascending tower of poles and colorful wires.

Variety of Play: Offers cooperative, competitive, and solo modes, along with multiple variants to extend replay value.

Family-Friendly: Awarded the Swiss Gamers Award Family 2023 and Major Fun Award 2022, indicating its suitability for various ages and play styles.

Cons

Initial Ease: The early game can feel too easy due to the stability of the poles, which might make the game less engaging initially.

Visual Simplicity: The components themselves are not highly visually appealing, relying on gameplay to create the visual interest.

Personal Thoughts on Nekojima

Nekojima is ideal for those who enjoy dexterity games and are looking for a game that offers a unique theme and adaptable gameplay. It is particularly suited for families and groups who want a game that can be played in different modes, catering to various play styles and ages. While it may not stand out strongly from other dexterity games in terms of innovation, its replay value and visual appeal make it a fun addition to any game collection.

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