Senshi (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Senshi is a board game designed by Stephen Gibson and published by Arcane Wonders in in 2018. It is an abstract strategy game that is quick to play and easy to learn, making it a popular choice for casual gamers. The game is set in feudal Japan and players take on the roles of competing warrior-monks, known as Senshi, who must prove their worth to their master by collecting different colored stones.

Game Components of Senshi

Tiles of different colors, each with symbols to help colorblind players

Player boards

A draw pile

Cheap plastic “tiles” that are easy to stack but lack substance

Good artwork on the components.

How To Setup Senshi

To set up Senshi, each player starts with a hidden stack of tiles in their hand. The remaining tiles are placed in a central draw pile. Players also receive a player board where they will manipulate and bank their stacks of tiles. The game does not require a complex setup, making it quick to get started.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each turn, players can choose one of three actions: Prepare (take a stack and add it to your board), Train (take the top tile from a stack on your board, an opponent’s board, or from the draw pile), or Test (play a tile from your hand and move it to the corresponding colored spot on your board).

Attribute Development: Players aim to develop four attributes: Strength, Agility, Wisdom, and Honor by manipulating the tiles.

Objective: The goal is to have the largest stacks in each attribute while ensuring no attribute is the smallest, as the player with the smallest stack in any attribute is eliminated at the end of the game.

Player Experience

Senshi offers a blend of strategy and quick gameplay. The game starts with some randomness in the initial tile distribution, but it remains fairly balanced. Players must make strategic decisions to block their opponents and manage their own stacks effectively. While the game is simple to learn, it requires a few trial games to fully understand the strategic depth it offers. The short playtime makes it an excellent filler game, suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: Games last only 15-20 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game requires careful planning and consideration of opponents’ moves.

Affordable: Priced around $15, making it a good value for a 4-player game.

Good Artwork: The components have good artwork, even though the tiles are made of cheap plastic.

Cons

Limited Replayability: While each game is different, the overall objective and actions remain the same.

Theme: The game’s theme of warrior-monks is minimal and does not significantly impact gameplay.

Component Quality: The tiles are made of cheap plastic, which may lack substance.

Personal Thoughts on Senshi

Senshi is a great game for those looking for a quick, strategic filler game. It is suitable for players aged 14 and up, although younger players can also enjoy it with some guidance. The game’s simplicity and short playtime make it an excellent addition to any game collection, especially for those who appreciate abstract strategy games. However, it may not stand out significantly from other games in the same category due to its minimal theme and component quality.

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