Ninjato (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ninjato is a board game released in 2011 by Z-Man Games. Designed by Dan Schnake and Adam West, the game is set in medieval Japan and revolves around players taking on the roles of ninjas competing to complete secret missions for their clan.

Game Components of Ninjato

Wooden pieces (shuriken)

Exquisite artwork

Solid game board

Treasure cards

Sentry cards

Envoy and rumor cards

Player boards

Sensei cards for upgrades and skills

How To Setup Ninjato

To set up Ninjato, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a player board and places their shuriken on it. The treasure cards are shuffled and distributed among the faction houses on the board. Sentry cards are placed at each house, and envoy and rumor cards are set aside to be used during the game. Each player receives a starting hand of cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Duration: 60 minutes

Player Count: 3-4 players

Rounds: 7 rounds

Objective: The player with the most honor (VP) at the end of the game wins.

Actions:
– Place worker shuriken to raid faction houses for treasure.
– Train under the sensei to gain skills and upgrades.
– Refill hand cards.
– Make purchases with stolen treasure.

Raiding Houses: Players must defeat sentries by playing cards from their hand, either with a lower or higher number than the sentry’s value.

Elite Guards: Red sentry cards introduce elite guards, increasing the difficulty and treasure in a house.

Scoring: Honor is scored by turning in treasures to bribe envoys or spread rumors.

Player Experience

Ninjato blends euro-style worker placement with American “push your luck” mechanics, creating a pulse-pounding yet strategically deep game. Players must carefully manage their hand cards and choose when to take risks or play it safe. The game’s thematic elements, such as raiding houses and training with the sensei, add to the excitement and immersion.

Pros

Blends Mechanics Seamlessly: Combines worker placement, set collection, hand management, and push your luck mechanics effectively.

High Replayability: Different player counts and variable strategies ensure each game is unique.

Quality Components: Wooden pieces, exquisite artwork, and solid components enhance the game experience.

Mitigating Luck: Purchasable skills help reduce frustration from bad card draws.

Cons

Complexity: The blend of mechanics can be overwhelming for new players.

Luck Element: The game’s push your luck aspect can lead to frustrating moments.

Personal Thoughts on Ninjato

Ninjato is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of strategic planning and thrilling unpredictability. It suits those who appreciate worker placement games but also enjoy the excitement of pushing their luck. The game’s thematic depth and quality components make it a standout in its category, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer purely strategic games without elements of luck.

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