Tokaido

This is a top 10 for me. I own around 150 board games and this is definitely 1 of my favorites. The artwork is beautiful and the concept is unique. They compliment one another nicely. If someone is new to games I love to pull this 1 out because it’s easy to learn and fun. Not to mention people find the artwork stunning. Component quality is very nice. Makes a great gift and appreciated by board gaming enthusiasts alike. I’ve played this game probably 50x and it never gets old. There is high replayability due to the variable characters and your turn order rotating each round. Rounds are fast depending on the number of players but easy to finish in 20-30m with 4 players teaching someone. Rounds can go much faster with experienced players. I love the art and concept. Anyone at any age can play. Young children who are focused and interested can certainly pick this up. Great entry point for new board game players and a classic for those who enjoy board games. This is a light game but can be explored by strategists to great effect (considerations: start with more money or other bonuses like extra souvenirs, move first now or last to secure points on particular segments ahead, etc.).

Tokaido is a relatively simple game that gives you a very relaxing feeling while playing. We'll often play it after a heavier game just to relax a bit. The rules are very straighforward. Each player is a character with a special ability that will help you when you stop at specific spaces as you traverse the path. Decisions are fairly easy: stop at a location, pick up the corresponding card and gain immediate points, choose to purchase it or leave an offering at the temple. Almost every action will give you some points so it minimized analysis paralysis. Turn order is determined by the person last on the path. If you move too far ahead to claim a space, you're allowing your opponents more time to move and gain points. There are several locations where everyone will catchup before you proceed on the path so no one can really get too far ahead. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the zen-like experience of playing. Actions you take against another player appear very subtle since all you can really do is block them from taking a certain space but then they may take a space you really want. This is a good game to introduce non-gamers to or to people that just want a relatively simple game to learn and play.

A review for Tokaido requires a discussion on the theme and art, and a discussion on the mechanics. Let's start with the mechanics. Tokaido is an odd combination of the Game of Life and Parcheesi, with a unique movement twist thrown in. Tokaido is based on Tokai-do, an old road that runs between Kyoto and Tokyo. The board is a representation of that road, with stops for beautiful views, hot springs, inns, and the like. Every turn, the last player on the road will move as little or as far as they would like - no dice rolling, no spinning, you decide the distance. However, you cannot stop at a location occupied by another player (the Parcheesi element), and all players must stop at the various inns for everyone to catch up. When you make stop, you will engage in an encounter and various things will happen - too varied for this review - all of which are based around points or money (the Game of Life element). You can also potentially gain benefits based on the ability of your traveler (there are 10, increasing the replayability substantially). It is simple premise, so I found myself surprised at the light tactical nature of the game. Where and when you move matters quite a bit, as does when you move into an inn. Your timing can both hurt your opponents and yourself if you're not careful. On top of that, you need to decide whether to play to your abilities or worry more about hamper your opponent's. While Tokaido won't win any awards for it's strategy, it will keep your brain engaged enough during your play. The theme and the art are what really steal the show and bring the game to the table. As noted, the game is about a journey, a peaceful walk in a slower time. Everything is (digitally) painted in bright watercolors, with quite a bit of variation within each type of encounter. For example, when you draw a meal card at the inn, there are 10 or 12 different food types. It is a pleasant experience to play this game on a cold rainy day; with a bit of imagination, you really feel as though you are travelling along the coast of southern Japan. To me, it is that ability to inspire the imagination that puts Tokaido into the 5-star territory. Once the mechanics are explained, our house rule will be that you don't receive your points unless you role-play the encounter. There is enough variety among the encounter types - and of course the imagination is limitless - to turn the game into a great story-telling game! On top of being great for kids, it helps make the game remain meaningful even when you are in last place. Even if you don't play that way, you will find yourself writing a story in your head. I would strongly suggest this game for any family and as a light breather for game groups. It is a simple game, but one that can still make you smile if you let it.

Great Family game. Fun and strategic as well as being beautiful. Another game that totally lives up to the hype. The game is easy to pick up and teach, and its unique movement system is something that can appeal to anyone of any age. It's a fun thinky puzzle game that scratches the itch that something like sudoku or solitaire might scratch. It doesn't take too long to play either, so you're always left with that "one more game!" feeling. I'm glad I finally copped a copy, and I couldn't recommend it more.

GREAT GAME! When I was describing this game to my SO (based on reviews before we played), he sounded really disinterested. He thought it'd be really dumb. There's actually strategy in how to play to win. Counter to Western games which are formulaic in how-to-win (I enjoy these), Japanese board games are not as straightforward. The strategy to win changes each time - it depends on how your opponents are playing. When you play 2-player, there is a 3rd, neutral token controlled by the players in a specific fashion. This neutral token adds another layer of strategy to the game. Children can easily play and gain points, having fun, while adults can strategize for maximum score. A truly thoughtful game that can be played in either a relaxed manner or with an intensely competitive style. Buy this now. There is so much replay value.

This is a great game in that while there is a bit of randomness, overall the game is completely in the hands of hte players. They decide how far to move nad what to do when they land on a space. Those choices can win them the game or lose it. They want know until the end, as players can have secret goals. The artwork is stunning and the game sets up and plays in under an hour even with new players or those prone to analysis paralysis. One of my favorites, which is why I finally purchased it and the expansions.

You won't regret it. Absolutely love this unique game! Worth every penny.

Tokaido is a great game with an element of strategy but mostly very laid back. Easy to learn, but with a curve to master the strategy elements to get as many points as you can. Choices matter and can be costly, which I am normally not a fan of. But this game does it in a way that doesn't break the game or make it less fun.