Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Jonathan Harrison
United States
Fisher
Illinois
South Quarter Independent Games
Firp! ding! blast!
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This is a beautiful little game. It's thematic in its own way, but since the theme is three groups (peasants, military, religious hierarchy) fighting for control of the nation, it's easy to mistake it for the abstract it appears to be. And if you want it to be, it is, with a nice does of Japanese theming, for which I'm a sucker.
It plays short—about half an hour. And the rules are simple. But in that half-hour, you'll be fighting fiercely to exert influence on cities that outweighs the influence your opponents are exerting—but only barely. Because you'll need all the remaining influence you can muster to influence all the other cities, or at least the one you decide you need to take.
Because this is a game by Reiner Knizia, and it features the mindset of scoring that he has made famous, which evaluates player skill by how well players have managed to master multiple, sometimes mutually exclusive categories. Your overall success, as defined by the scoring conditions, is translated into your overall score.
For those who like player conflict, there's lots. If you play Carcassonne to steal your opponents' cities and farms, then Samurai is that distilled. Every move you make encroaches on someone, usually at that moment. It's like a knife fight in a kitchenette as you struggle to exert influence on opposite sides of the same hex, which can be occupied by only one of your units. And the pre-game draft only heightens the strategy as you try to decide which five units to select for your starting 'hand' of placeable hexes.
It's quick, and it's very pretty. And it's short and bloody enough to satisfy those who normally don't go this theme-light.
Plays 2 to 4.
See user comments.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Richard Rutten
Netherlands
Nijmegen
the spunk plus the bomb plus the pump plus the torture instrument times frankie equalling the bang is an exclusive piece of ZTT exploitation
You don't need eyes to see, you need vision. (mj)
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1998 999 Games Dutch Language Edition
Language dependency: Very low
Condition: Good, some shelf wear
Free Shipping
Remarks: misprint where one of the rice fields in the game isn't black but bright red. Therefore a collectors item I would say! 
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Thomas Haver
United States
Columbus
Ohio
www.buckeyeboardgamers.org
www.buckeyeboardgamers.org
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Jeffrey L.
United States
Western Burbs of Beantown
Massachusetts
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We can play this one pretty fast. I enjoy it whenever we break it out.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
ronaldinho @boardspace.net
Taiwan
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Mindy G
United States
Portland
Oregon
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Thursday 10pm to 12am
Thursday finished up with Samurai, modded by
Lynette
United States
Richland
Washington
Yep, I am a girl Scientist. Come for the breasts; Stay for the brains!
For as long as I shall live I will testify to love; I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough.
This was a fun little game. I think we got 2 games in during our allotted time (and I think Lynette won them both, but I know it wasn't me anyway). I've recently been playing a couple of Knizia's games on my ipad (Ra & Tigris & Euphrates) so the strategic tile placement reminded me of T&E, so it wasn't totally foreign to me, even though I haven't played a lot of games like this. I enjoyed this one a lot also, and it would be a nice addition to our collection to give a little variety.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Matthew Rooks
Japan
Kobe
Hyogo
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Only been played a handful of times. I absolutely love the game, but play it exclusively on my iPad now.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Lee Ambolt
Sweden
Lund
Skåne
Ingen Reklam Tack!
Linus Per Ambolt 13.12.2010
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MATCH #14
another great Knizia tile layer
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Caitlin Woodward
United States
Memphis
Tennessee
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Rio Grande/Hans im Glück Edition. (English/German edition)
Got in another math trade, played only a handful of times before I received it. I only played it once Everything is still in very good condition.
Free shipping to US, with delivery confirmation.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Filipe Cunha
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
RJ
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Condições: Jogado algumas vezes mas muito bem conservado
Edição: 2a Edição - Ceilikan
Idioma: Português
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Lucas Testa
Brazil
Ribeirão Preto
Sao Paulo
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Idioma: Português
Editora: Ceilikan
Estado do jogo: Aberto e com 3 partidas na bagagem (excelente estado de conservação)
Local: Limeira/SP
Tempo para Envio: Assim que sair o resultado
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Renato Soriano
Brazil
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo
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SAMURAI
JOGO NOVO E LACRADO
EDIÇÃO: RIO GRANDE GAMES
IDIOMA: INGLÊS
JOGO SAI DE SÃO PAULO / CAPITAL
ENVIO ESTIMADO EM ATÉ 7 DIAS APÓS O RESULTADO FINAL DA MT.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Roger Komesu
Brazil
são paulo
são paulo
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Jogo sai de SP até 7 dias depois do fim da MT
Jogo edição ceilikan, joguei 3 vezes e namorada não gostou muito =/
ta zerado
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Gabriel Schweitzer
Brazil
Cuiabá
Mato Grosso
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Idioma: independente de idioma, regras em português
Edição: Ceilikan
Condição: Jogado 2 vezes, como novo
Local: Cuiabá
Prazo para envio: máximo 1 semana
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
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PACOTÃO !!!
SAMURAI - 2ª Edição Ceilikan
Em ótimo estado !!
Edição: 2ª Edição Ceilikan Games
Idioma: em portugues
2-4 jogadores
Ótimo jogo !!! Um clássico da trilogia knizia
[size=24]+
STRATEGO
http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic423932_md.jpg
Em ótimo estado !!
Edição com poderes especiais.
Edição: Hasbro
Jogado apenas 1 vez
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Envio até 1 semana após o resultado
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Ricardo Kildare
Brazil
Fortaleza
Ceará
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IDIOMA: Alemão
EDITORA FABRICANTE DO JOGO: Rio Grande
CONDIÇÃO / ESTADO DO JOGO: Aberto / ótimo estado
LOCAL: Rio de Janeiro / RJ
TEMPO ESTIMADO PARA ENVIO: Até uma semana após o resultado da Math Trade
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Ricardo Kildare
Brazil
Fortaleza
Ceará
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IDIOMA: Alemão
EDITORA FABRICANTE DO JOGO: Rio Grande
CONDIÇÃO / ESTADO DO JOGO: Aberto / ótimo estado
LOCAL: Rio de Janeiro / RJ
TEMPO ESTIMADO PARA ENVIO: Até uma semana após o resultado da Math Trade
=> DESCONSIDERAR - ERRO DE POSTAGEM
Considerar apenas o item 445
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Laszlo Molnar
Hungary
Budapest
Hungary
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Surprise?
No one else lists it as one of their favorites here but I had to add it. And then I can start to grumble when I see the results. 
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Thomas Haver
United States
Columbus
Ohio
www.buckeyeboardgamers.org
www.buckeyeboardgamers.org
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Richard Keiser
United States
Waunakee
Wisconsin
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Unpunched, game taken out of shrink. Rio Grande Games / Hans Im Gluck english edition.
Shipping Policy:
Free to the continental U.S. and the first $10 to international, AK, and HI BGGers.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
DanielCG
Brazil
Aguas Claras
Brasilia/DF
Pinky: "Gee Brain what are we gonna do tonight ?"
Brain: "The same thing we do everynight Pinky. Try to take over the world !"
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Scott Wilbur
Switzerland
Geneva
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As long as it comes with the sword...
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
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Played this week
Volo x 2
Lord of the Rings: The Search
Kogge
Uptown
Jockey
Power Grid: The First Sparks
Web of Power
Samurai x 3
Walnut Grove
Hawaii
Takenoko
Montage
Kingdom Builder
Volo is an abstract game based on the movements of birds. The birds in question go unnamed, and while flying is a key metaphor in the game, Anna and I decided that it still works as a model for chickens running on the ground. Players start with three pieces on the board as their birds, and they try to get them to gather in one connected flock. On a turn, add a chicken to the board (hatch!) or let them run in a straight line or file, so long as at the end of the move, the flock size is increased. Once joined, flocks can never be split. Rules for isolating opponent's chickens and pecking them off the board, though this isn't always in your best interest. Good abstract that feels, appropriately, open and airy.
Lord of the Rings: The Search is good! Or rather, Lord of the Rings: The Search is not bad!
2p game of Kogge with Anna, who declares it "light".
Julie came over on Monday night for homemade wonton (yes, Tim, I make and roll my own wrappers, using eggs from our very own chickens) and games. She had won a copy of Uptown at EGG courtesy of Funagain Games. Thanks, Funagain! For how fast this game is, it's quite fine. Lots of potential for good-natured profanity too, which is a plus. I lost both games, but think I won on the good-natured profanity front.
Then we played Jockey, where Julie inadvertently drove Anna's horses home. Another dead broke day at the races for me.
Though I was hesitant, Power Grid: The First Sparks turned out to be not that bad a game. Definitely more appealing than Power Grid, in my mind. No tedious arithmetic and resource fiddle, which leaves only turn order manipulation and timing as the key. I'd play it again, which is more than I can usually say for Friese's games.
Actual Web of Power on an actual hard copy. The physical size came as a bit of a surprise. But maybe that's because my homemade version is about two-thirds the size and with euro-size cards.
My scorn for Samurai's graphic design is well documented. I made my own copy, pictured in the header, years ago, played it, thought it was ok, and haven't touched it since. Something motivated me to pull it out again, and lo and behold, it's actually really really good. Battle Line on a map, kind of. I plan on keeping Samurai within easy reach now.
I finally beat Anna at Walnut Grove! Want to know how I did it? Inter-fucking-action. That's right, disregarding the very nature of the solo optimization focus, I interacted out in the city by usurping a special bonus tile she had her eyes on, keeping her from scoring a big mess of points, allowing me to win by one point, eliciting a "fuck you" from Anna's dainty lips. Inter-fucking-action. It's my new killer strategy.
If you think Hawaii looks like just another flavorless point salad euro set in a distant locale, you'd be right. Cause it does look that way. The play, though, is kind of clever, a drafting game with multiple currencies, and costs to move to drafting spaces based on distance. In true point salad fashion, I went Big Fruit in our game. Lorna went Big Feet and Big Boat, and beat me by a nose.
Chaos and secret objectives did not detract from my enjoyment of Takenoko, its lovely presentation pushing it into the plus side.
Grow bamboo, grow landscape, eat bamboo, all while trying to achieve secret objectives that are most probably at odds with those of the other players.
Montage used be a big grail game, but it's now been reprinted. We played on Lorna's original Gamut of Games edition. This word game is tough, and with a timer, the pressure is really on. Give Password-style clues to get your partner to guess a word that fits on the Scrabble-like board, with letters color-coded in groups. Thing is, the opposition can ring in first if your partner isn't quick enough. While I don't mind a timer, I'm not sure how I feel about the game-show trigger speed thing.
We also played Kingdom Builder. Lorna still despises it. Lorna still makes only half my points.
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Board Game: Samurai
[Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:81]
Stephen Roney
United States
Ladera Ranch
California
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1998 - Samurai
Knizia's follow-up is another winner in my book, though I have played it less than the other candidates, partially because the others are quicker and more accessible.
Other Candidates
Through the Desert - A heavier game than first appears, this is another one that I like and don't play as much as I would like.
Guillotine - One of the favorite fillers at our house, even if there is one character my wife won't say the name of......
Circus Flohcati - The most played game of this group. The push-your-luck mechanic is a big winner.
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