Sakura (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Sakura is a card game released in 2017, designed by Gyula Pozsgay and Attila Szőgyi. The game is published by A-games and falls under the category of card games. With a playing time of 20-45 minutes, Sakura is suitable for 2-6 players, though it is best enjoyed with 2-4 players. The game is recommended for ages 10 and up.

Game Components of Sakura

Game board

Painter tokens

Initiative cards with garden and player actions

Starting point tokens

Scoring spaces

How To Setup Sakura

To set up Sakura, place the game board within reach of all players. Each player receives a painter token and five starting point tokens of a specific color. The cards are shuffled, and each player is dealt a starting hand of five cards. The game is ready to begin once all players have their cards and tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Action Selection: Players secretly choose one card from their hand to play each round.

Hand Management: Cards have initiative numbers, garden actions, and player actions.

Initiative Order: Cards are activated in initiative order, with garden actions happening first, followed by player actions.

Game Objective: Players aim to be close to the emperor when he stops at one of the three scoring spaces, without being too close to avoid disgrace.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the player’s position relative to the emperor when he stops.

Player Experience

Sakura offers a fun and chaotic experience where players must balance being close to the emperor with the risk of bumping into him. The game is light-hearted and full of laughs, as players often see their carefully laid plans go awry. It requires a mix of tactical thinking and luck management, making it an enjoyable yet unpredictable game.

Pros

Simple rules allow players to quickly start the game.

Hilarious theme and gameplay interactions.

Clean and intuitive design.

Short and lighthearted, making it accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Encourages player interaction and schadenfreude.

Cons

Limited strategy and depth.

High variance due to simultaneous action selection can frustrate some players.

Not ideal for players seeking complex or deep strategy games.

Personal Thoughts on Sakura

Sakura is perfect for groups looking for a light, fun, and interactive game that doesn’t require a lot of setup or complex rules. It’s great for families and casual gamers who enjoy a bit of mayhem and laughter. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with deep strategy or high levels of control. Despite this, Sakura is a great addition to any game collection for its simplicity, humor, and social interaction.

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.