Yomi (2011) Board Game
Yomi is a card game designed by David Sirlin and released in in 2011. It is a unique blend of bluffing and strategy, where players take on the roles of different characters from a video game world. With its roots in fighting games, Yomi offers an interesting twist on traditional card games by incorporating elements of hand management and variable player powers.
## Game Components of Yomi
– 10 character decks, each representing a unique character
– Each deck includes 52 cards, 2 Jokers, a character card, and a rules card
– Cards are designed to function as a regular deck of playing cards with ranks and suits
– Play mats with life point trackers and plastic gems for tracking health
– Beautiful artwork featuring 120 different character illustrations[4%.
## How To Setup Yomi
To set up Yomi, players choose their characters and shuffle their respective decks. Each player draws a starting hand of seven cards. The play mats, which include life point trackers, are placed between the players. The game is ready to start once both players have their decks and starting hands.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Rock/Paper/Scissors Mechanic**: Attack, throw, and block/dodge cards interact in a rock/paper/scissors manner (attack beats throw, throw beats block/dodge, block/dodge beats attack).
– **Simultaneous Card Play**: Players simultaneously select and reveal a card from their hand.
– **Combo System**: Successful attacks or throws allow players to follow up with combo cards from their hand.
– **Valuation and Prediction**: Players must judge the relative value of moves and predict their opponent’s actions to gain an advantage.
– **Character Unique Abilities**: Each character has unique moves, strengths, and weaknesses, requiring different strategies and playstyles.
## Player Experience
Yomi is a game that heavily emphasizes mental strategy and prediction. Players need to read their opponents’ tendencies and adjust their strategies accordingly. The game is quick, typically lasting 15-20 minutes, and encourages multiple matches in a single session. The unique characters and balanced gameplay ensure that each match feels distinct and challenging.
### Pros
– **Deep Strategic Gameplay**: Despite simple rules, the game offers a high level of strategic depth.
– **Unique Characters**: Each character has a distinct playstyle, requiring different skills and strategies.
– **Quick Matches**: Games are short, allowing for multiple matches in a single session.
– **High Replayability**: Balanced gameplay and varied characters ensure high replay value.
– **Beautiful Artwork**: The game features extensive and beautiful character illustrations.
### Cons
– **Complex Card Design**: Cards are busy with multiple features and information, which can be overwhelming.
– **No Positioning Mechanic**: Unlike traditional fighting games, Yomi lacks a positioning mechanic, which can be a significant omission for some players.
## Personal Thoughts on Yomi
Yomi is ideal for fans of fighting games and strategic card games. It offers a unique blend of mental strategy and quick, competitive gameplay. The game is well-suited for players who enjoy predicting and outmaneuvering their opponents. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a game with complex physical positioning or those who prefer simpler card designs.
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