Shikoku (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Shikoku is a board game released in 2018 by designer Eloi Pujadas and published by GDM Games. The game is set in Japan’s smallest island, Shikoku, and players take on the role of pilgrims traveling to the island’s temples. With beautiful artwork by Amelia Sales, Shikoku offers players a unique and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Shikoku

Game board depicting the island of Shikoku

Player meeples representing pilgrims

Cards with various actions and abilities

Tokens for tracking progress and scoring

How To Setup Shikoku

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the action cards and place them face down in a stack.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding meeples.

Set up the scoring tokens and markers according to the rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Shikoku, players take turns moving their pilgrims across the island, visiting temples and collecting cards to gain points. The game utilizes action queue, hand management, and open drafting mechanics, requiring strategic decision-making and planning. The objective is to accumulate the most points by the end of the game through visiting temples and completing objectives on the action cards.

Player Experience

Pros:

Beautiful artwork and thematic elements immerse players in the world of Shikoku.

Strategic depth and decision-making make for engaging gameplay.

Easy to learn rules and quick playtime make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Cons:

Limited player interaction may not appeal to those seeking more competitive gameplay.

Components could be of higher quality for the price point.

Personal Thoughts on Shikoku

In my experience with Shikoku, I found the game to be a visually appealing and engaging experience. The blend of strategic depth and simplicity in the rules makes it accessible to both casual and experienced gamers. However, the lack of significant player interaction may deter those looking for a more competitive experience. The build quality of the components could also be improved for the price of the game. Overall, Shikoku is a solid addition to the racing game category, but there are alternatives available that may offer a similar experience at a better value. It is worth considering for players who enjoy thematic and strategic gameplay, but may not be suitable for those seeking intense player interaction.

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