| Released | 2012 |
| Designer | Antoine Bauza |
| Publisher | Funforge (Website) |
| Players | 2-5 (best 3+) |
| Playing Time | Physical: 10-15 minutes per player Digital: about 20 minutes |
| Category | Set Collection Variable Player Powers |
| BoardGameGeek | View on BGG |
If you can’t go out and about, why not play a game where you explore the Tokaido pilgramage?
It’s Friday, and I bet you were wondering where the review was?
I decided to try something a little different today. Instead of trying to write up why a game of movement and collection is fun, why not show you?
So as a bit of an experiment, I hope you will join me as I play through the tutorial game of Tokaido in digital form!
So I present to you a full game, as well as some rule explanations I feel the digital implementation was lacking. Complete with Rambling Old Man Thoughts! 🙂
After filming, I did indeed confirm that right now Tokaido is free on the Google Play store, and AUD$1.27 on iOS!
I was playing the Steam version, which right now is AUD$13.89 on the Steam store. I play mainly on my phone, and it’s great to sit back and relax with. You really can’t go wrong with either version!
I also mentioned that Tokaido was getting to be a bit pricey and harder to find.
What I didn’t say in the video was to watch out if the expensive versions are the Collectors version. This comes with metal coins and painted miniatures, as well as the crossroads expansion. While still expensive, the cost is a little more justified.
The other reason some places aren’t pushing Tokaido as much is because a follow up is about to be released – Namiji.
Not a sequel as such, but similar mechanics are used with different options available when you stop on the road.
I haven’t playing Namiji yet, and I won’t be in the first wave as I didn’t back it on Kickstarter. Be sure I will be checking it out in the future though! 🙂
Overall Thoughts
Tokaido is a game I have had ‘serious’ players talk down about. Comments like “Too simple” or “Not enough to do”. For me, this simplicity is what makes Tokaido shine.
Sit down with a non-gamer, and explain they are taking a holiday. It really helps the scoring mechanisms click. Don’t want to paint? Go shopping. Don’t like shopping? Relax at the hot springs and talk to various people – you never know what you can get out of it!
Tokaido is a great game to sit and enjoy the company of others with, as you don’t need to spend all of your time concentrating on the game. Playing digitally, it’s a great way to play alone and just enjoy yourself. Plus you can play online with others if you wish!
Overall
8/10Pros
- Gorgeous art style
- Random setup helps for great replayability
- You can play relaxed or competitive – it’s up to you
Cons
- Digital implementation needs a better tutorial or a reference for new players
- Wish you could speed up AI animations
Until next time,