Onitama Review: The Best Japanese Chess Experience?

This blog post looks at a unique and exciting game: Onitama. This exquisite board game captures the essence of martial arts through a blend of simple mechanics and profound strategic potential. Designed by Shimpei Sato and developed by Arcane Wonders, this two-player game offers a unique experience on every playthrough, thanks to its innovative use of move cards. Our extensive sessions with Onitama have revealed a game that is both accessible to beginners and challenging for strategists.

Onitama, often compared to Japanese chess or Shogi, distills the complexity of traditional abstract strategy games into a more streamlined and approachable format. The game is set in the serene yet competitive atmosphere of the Shrine of Onitama, where martial arts masters bring their most promising disciples to prove their superiority. The objective is clear: either capture the opponent’s master (the Way of the Stone) or move your own master into the opponent’s temple arch (the Way of the Stream).

The Essence of Onitama

Onitama is more than just a game; it is an experience that transports players to the mist-shrouded mountains of ancient Japan, where the Shrine of Onitama stands as a beacon of enlightenment and skill. The game’s components are meticulously designed to enhance this immersive experience, each piece contributing to the game’s overall aesthetic and functional elegance.

When you first open the box, you can see that all the components fit perfectly in the box, and from experience, I can tell you it’s very satisfying to unbox it.

Components

We love Onitama because it contains few components but keeps up with many advanced board games. We love playing chess and other games that activate your brain, and this is one of those games—we love it. The box is convenient; the designers managed to fit it in this long box. When you open the board game’s box, the components are laid out like in the image above.

Now, let’s talk about the playmat, which is one of Onitama’s most striking features. Unlike traditional board games that use rigid boards, Onitama employs a roll-up game mat that resembles a traditional Japanese scroll. The mat is adorned with beautiful calligraphy by Nagahara Chiyo and additional artwork by Sayuri Romei, which adds to the game’s thematic depth. The 5×5 grid on the mat is clearly marked, ensuring that players can easily navigate their pawns.

The pawns themselves are another highlight. Each player starts with five pawns: one master and four students. The master pawns are larger and more ornate, symbolizing their importance in the game. They stand proudly on the temple arch squares at the start of the game, ready to lead their students into battle. The student pawns are smaller but equally well-crafted, positioned on either side of the master at the beginning of each game. The tactile feel of these pieces adds a satisfying physicality to each move you make.

Then there are the move cards, which are the most innovative aspect of Onitama. There are 16 more cards in total, each depicting a different pattern of movement inspired by various animals, such as the Dragon, Tiger, Crab, and Elephant. These cards are beautifully illustrated and easy to understand, showing all possible moves relative to your pawn’s current position. The cards also feature a small stamp in one corner, indicating which player goes first based on color matching.

Also, I will mention the way they managed to fit the rulebook and the rulebook itself. The way that the rulebook is placed on the side of the box is very smartly made, and the rulebook is designed very well. It explains everything you need to know about the board game and how it works, all fitting into the little tall rulebook.

Gameplay Mechanics

The Dance of Strategy

The game begins with each player holding two move cards, which dictate the possible movements of their pawns. These cards are the heart of Onitama’s strategy. Each card shows a unique pattern of movement inspired by various animals, such as the Dragon, Tiger, Crab, and Elephant. The beauty of these cards lies in their simplicity: each one clearly indicates the squares to which a pawn can move relative to its starting position, making it easy for players to understand and feel confident in their strategy. This mechanic makes Onitama fall under the abstract board game types similar to chess , backgammon and nine man moris except Onitama’s theme is much more present than these ancient abstract games.

For example, the Tiger card allows a pawn to move two spaces forward or one space backward. This duality offers offensive and defensive possibilities, making it a versatile tool in your strategic arsenal. On the other hand, the Dragon card enables diagonal moves that can bypass direct confrontations and create unexpected opportunities for attack or defense.

Turn Structure

Each turn in Onitama consists of two main steps:

1. Move & Attack: We begin our turn by selecting one of our two available move cards. This choice is crucial as it determines our immediate action and influences our opponent’s future options. After choosing a card, we move one of our pawns according to the pattern shown on the card. If this move places our pawn on a square occupied by an opponent’s pawn, we capture it and remove it from the game.
2. Exchange Cards: After executing our move, we placed the used card beside the board and rotated it 180 degrees to face our opponent. This rotation signifies that the card will become available to our opponent in future turns. We then added the card that was previously set aside to our hand, ensuring we always have two cards to choose from at the start of each turn.

This card exchange mechanic sets Onitama apart from other abstract strategy games. It creates a dynamic flow where control over specific moves shifts between players, requiring us to think several steps ahead. We must constantly balance immediate tactical gains with long-term strategic positioning.

The Art of Anticipation

Anticipation is key in Onitama. Since both players can see all available move cards at any given time, there is no hidden information. This transparency transforms the game into a mental duel where predicting your opponent’s intentions becomes just as crucial as executing your strategy.

For instance, if we notice that our opponent has access to the Elephant card—which allows for broad lateral movements—we might adjust our positioning to minimize their potential advantage. Conversely, if we hold potent cards like the Tiger or Dragon, we might use them strategically to force our opponent into unfavorable positions.

Paths to Victory

Victory in Onitama can be achieved through two distinct paths: the Way of the Stone or the Way of the Stream.

• The Way of the Stone involves capturing your opponent’s master pawn. This path requires careful maneuvering and precise attacks to isolate and capture the enemy master while protecting your own.

• The Way of the Stream involves moving your master pawn into your opponent’s temple arch square. This path emphasizes positional play and strategic foresight as you navigate your master across the board while thwarting your opponent’s attempts to do likewise.

What We Like and Dislike About Onitama

What We Like

1. Elegant Simplicity: One of the most captivating aspects of Onitama is its elegant simplicity. The rules are straightforward, making it easy to learn, yet the game offers deep strategic possibilities that keep us coming back for more. The balance between accessibility and depth is truly commendable.
2. Innovative Card Mechanics: The rotating move card mechanic is a stroke of genius. It ensures that each game feels fresh and dynamic, as players must constantly adapt to the changing pool of available moves. This mechanic adds a layer of strategic planning that we find both challenging and rewarding.
3. Beautiful Components: The game’s components are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. From the roll-up game mat that resembles a traditional Japanese scroll to the intricately designed pawns, every piece contributes to the game’s immersive atmosphere. The artwork and calligraphy further enhance the thematic experience.
4. Quick Playtime: Onitama’s short playtime (typically around 15 minutes) makes it perfect for multiple rounds in one sitting or as a warm-up before diving into longer games. This quick yet satisfying gameplay is ideal for both casual and competitive gamers.

What We Dislike

1. Limited Player Count: Onitama is strictly a two-player board game, which limits its versatility in larger gaming groups. While this focus allows for intense one-on-one duels, it means we often have to look for other games when more players are involved.
2. Potential for Repetition: Despite the rotating card mechanic, some players might feel that the 16 move cards can lead to a sense of repetition after many plays. While we appreciate the variability these cards offer, adding expansion packs or additional move cards could further enrich the gameplay experience.
3. Learning Curve for Strategic Depth: While the rules are simple, mastering Onitama’s strategic depth can be challenging for new players. Some may find it difficult to anticipate their opponent’s moves and plan several steps ahead, which could lead to frustration in initial games.

Unique Observations

One aspect that particularly caught our attention is how Onitama manages to evoke a sense of calm and focus during gameplay. The thematic elements, combined with the thoughtful mechanics, create an almost meditative experience as we contemplate our moves and anticipate our opponent’s strategies. Additionally, we love how each session feels like part of an ongoing journey toward mastery, where every game teaches us something new about our own strategic thinking.

Also, when playing the game, when looking at the design of the mat and components, if you put your mind to it, it reminds you of history, the battles back then and its strategiеs. Some other games that resonate with a similar theme are Imhotep and Luxor.

In summary, while Onitama has a few minor limitations, its strengths far outweigh them. The game offers an engaging blend of simplicity and depth, beautiful components, and innovative mechanics that make it a standout in the world of strategy games.

Conclusion

After countless hours in the hallowed walls of the Shrine of Onitama, we can confidently say this game is a masterpiece of modern board game design. Shimpei Sato, the brilliant mind behind Onitama, has crafted a game that combines the elegance of traditional abstract strategy games with the thematic richness and accessibility of contemporary board gaming. Our journey through Onitama has been nothing short of enlightening, filled with moments of intense competition, strategic brilliance, and even a few humbling defeats. In other words it the perfect game for newbies to be introduced into the hobby

Onitama’s unique selling point lies in its ability to evoke the depth and complexity of games like Chess or Go while remaining accessible and engaging for players of all skill levels. Each game feels like a unique duel between masters, where every move is a step towards enlightenment or a potential misstep leading to defeat. The rotating card mechanic keeps us on our toes, ensuring that no two games are ever alike, and that each session offers new challenges and opportunities for strategic growth.

In conclusion, Onitama has earned its place as one of our favorite board games through its elegant design, strategic depth, and thematic immersion. Shimpei Sato’s genius shines through in every aspect of this game—from its beautifully crafted components to its innovative mechanics. The game’s quick setup and short playtime make it ideal for multiple rounds or as a warm-up before diving into longer games, such as Castles of Burgundy.

Onitama is not just a game; it’s an experience—a timeless duel between masters seeking enlightenment through strategy. If you haven’t yet embarked on your own journey to the Shrine of Onitama, we highly encourage you to do so. Prepare to be captivated, challenged, and ultimately enlightened by this modern classic in board gaming.