Gameplay
In this game players build shops and do business in a famous street of old Tokio, formerly called Edo. They do so by walking around the market, playing cards, securing for fires and doing a lot of business!
First, players decide the playing order. Depending on which place players occupy they may move a certain amount of steps. But, before this they may invest in a new shop or receive money.
Then, when landing on a specific spot, a player can do business in the connected shops. This can give the player some resources, or let them trade resources for other stuff, like buildings or points.
When other players use your shops, you upgrade your worker by one step. When you move to a new season, players will gain income and have to pay their workers on the board. When your shop is fully upgraded it will move under your playerboard, giving you some points in the end.
After 13 months, game ends and scores will be calculated, the player with the most ‘iki’ wins the game!
Thoughts
I really like this game. Its gameplay is so incredibly fluent and the interaction is great.
👍 The gameplay is solid
👍 The rules are clear
👍 A lot of variety because of the big amount of shops that will be different every game, so a high replayability
👍 I really like how the new reprint looks, the artwork is great and components excellent!
👍 Fun to play solo with the fanmade BGG solo variant
👍/➖ Solid 2p, but shines at higher playercounts!
➖ I have a love/hate relationship with the fire element in this game. On the one hand you can safely protect your shops, on the other hand it can be so punishing if you don’t.
Solomode
On BGG there is a fanmade solo variant available. This works great! Definitely try it out if you like to play solo from time to time!
A copy of this game was provided to me by Geronimo Games for the purpose of writing this review. My opinion however remains my own.
Buy me a Ko-fi
