Tatsu (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tatsu is an abstract strategy board game designed by John Yianni and published by Gen42 Games in in 2016. The game is inspired by the ancient Japanese game of Shogi and incorporates elements of dice rolling and strategic movement.

Game Components of Tatsu

Game board

60 dragon tiles in three colors

16 fire tiles

2 custom dice

Rulebook

How To Setup Tatsu

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the dragon tiles and place them face down on their designated spaces on the board.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding dragon tiles.

Place the fire tiles in a stack within reach of both players.

Roll the dice to determine who goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Tatsu, players take turns rolling dice and moving their dragon tiles on the board. The objective is to capture your opponent’s dragon tiles by landing on them with your own. Players can also use fire tiles to manipulate the board and create strategic opportunities. The game ends when one player captures all of their opponent’s dragon tiles.

Player Experience

Pros:

Strategic depth with simple rules

Beautiful artwork and high-quality components

Quick gameplay with a good balance of luck and skill

Cons:

Limited replay value due to fixed board setup

Some players may find the dice rolling element too random

Can be difficult for new players to grasp initially

Personal Thoughts on Tatsu

Tatsu is a visually stunning game with a unique blend of strategy and luck. The game’s components are well-crafted, and the gameplay is engaging for both casual and experienced players. While the fixed board setup may limit replayability, the game offers enough depth to keep players coming back for more. Overall, Tatsu is worth your time if you enjoy abstract strategy games and are looking for a challenging yet accessible experience. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys games like Shogi or similar abstract strategy games. However, those who prefer games with less randomness or more thematic elements may want to skip Tatsu.

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