The One Hundred Torii (2020) Board Game

The One Hundred Torii is an abstract strategy board game released in 2020 by designer Scott Caputo and published by Pencil First Games, LLC. The game features beautiful artwork by Vincent Dutrait and offers a unique gameplay experience centered around set collection and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of The One Hundred Torii

Tiles representing various garden elements (paths, landmarks, torii)

Landmark tokens

Character cards (Geisha, Gardener, Vendor, Samurai, Poet)

Bonus tiles

Large landmark tokens (5 and 10 point tokens)

How To Setup The One Hundred Torii

To set up the game, players start with a central starting tile, which serves as the foundation of the garden. Each player receives a set of tiles and landmark tokens. The character cards are placed within reach of all players. The game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the starting tile is laid out.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Laying: Players lay tiles to the top, bottom, or sides of existing tiles, ensuring at least one path connects to the existing garden.

Landmark Collection: Players collect landmark tokens by matching landmarks on newly placed tiles to the closest matching landmark in the garden, earning tokens for each red torii passed.

Character Assistance: Players can use character cards to gain advantages such as placing extra tiles, discarding and drawing tiles, blocking spaces, or altering landmark paths.

Token Trading: Players trade sets of five landmark tokens for larger tokens worth more points.

Objective: The goal is to create a harmonious path through the garden, collecting and trading landmark tokens to earn the most points.

Player Experience

Playing The One Hundred Torii is an engaging and visually stunning experience. The game’s simple mechanics belie a deep strategic layer, as players must carefully plan their tile placements to maximize their landmark collections while trying to outmaneuver their opponents. The game’s artwork, designed by Vincent Dutrait, is rich and vibrant, adding to the immersive experience of exploring a traditional Japanese garden.

Pros

Visually Stunning: The game features beautiful, detailed artwork that enhances the gameplay experience.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but offers deep strategic play.

Cultural Respect: The game is praised for its respectful and accurate portrayal of Japanese culture.

Variety of Characters: Each character card offers unique abilities, adding variety to gameplay.

Cons

Defensive Play: Playing defensively can be challenging, as blocking opponents often happens by chance rather than strategy.

Limited Interaction: Direct interaction with other players is somewhat limited, focusing more on individual strategy.

Personal Thoughts on The One Hundred Torii

The One Hundred Torii is ideal for fans of tile-laying games and those who appreciate beautiful, culturally respectful game design. It is suitable for players who enjoy strategic planning and are looking for a game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. The game’s serene and visually appealing environment makes it a great choice for a relaxing yet engaging gaming session.

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