Small Samurai Empires (2020) Board Game

Small Samurai Empires is a board game released in 2020 by Archona Games. Designed by Milan Tasevski, this game falls under the abstract strategy and medieval categories. With a playtime of 45-90 minutes and suitable for 2-4 players aged 13 and above, it offers a unique gaming experience with its action queue, area majority/influence, and programmed movement mechanisms.

Game Components of Small Samurai Empires

1 x Map Board of Japan

64 x Samurai Meeples (16 per player)

12 x Castle Meeples (3 per player)

4 x Hiding Screens

44 x Order Tokens (11 per player)

20 x Destiny Cards

60 x Resource Tokens (30 Food + 30 Bushido)

12 x Seeding Tokens

1 x Score Board

1 x Influence Board

24 x Player Markers

16 x Neutral Action Tokens (Variant)

4 x Region Agenda Tiles and Markers (Variant)

10 x Mountain Tiles (Variant)

9 x Shrine Meeples (Variant)

Deluxe Order Token sets (optional, made of wood).

How To Setup Small Samurai Empires

Setting up the game involves placing the Map Board of Japan, distributing the components such as Samurai Meeples, Castle Meeples, Order Tokens, and Resource Tokens among the players. Each player chooses a hiding screen and places their markers on the Influence Board and Score Board. The game is divided into 3 Eras, each consisting of 2 rounds, and players prepare for the first round by placing their order tokens facedown on one of the slots in the 4 regions of Japan.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Programming: Players place order tokens facedown to plan their actions, which are then revealed and resolved one by one.

Area Control: Players aim to control provinces by recruiting samurai armies, moving them across provinces, and building castles.

Resource Management: Players harvest resources (Food and Bushido) to enhance their actions.

Combat: Players can attack enemy armies to take over provinces.

Castle Building: Building castles to fortify positions in provinces.

Objective: The goal is to gain control over the most provinces and accumulate the most points to become the most powerful emperor in history.

Player Experience

Playing Small Samurai Empires offers a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. The action-programming mechanic allows for deep strategy while maintaining simplicity in the rules. The game features beautiful artwork and custom samurai meeples, enhancing the player experience. The gameplay is engaging, with each era consisting of two rounds, keeping the game dynamic and fast-paced, lasting between 30 to 60 minutes.

Pros

Innovative Mechanics: Combines action programming and area control seamlessly.

Strategic Depth: Offers plenty of strategic and tactical choices.

Low Rule Complexity: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Beautiful Artwork: Custom samurai meeples and a detailed map of Japan.

Variants: Includes several variant components to enhance gameplay.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some players may find the action-programming mechanic limits direct interaction.

Luck Factor: Destiny Cards can introduce an element of luck.

Setup Time: Preparing the game components can take some time.

Personal Thoughts on Small Samurai Empires

Small Samurai Empires is ideal for fans of strategy and area control games who appreciate a mix of planning and execution. It is suitable for players aged 13 and above and is best enjoyed with 2-4 players. The game’s balance of complexity and simplicity makes it accessible to new players while still offering depth for seasoned gamers. If you enjoy games like Risk or other area control games but are looking for something more streamlined and visually appealing, Small Samurai Empires is a great choice.

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