Kodachi

Board Game Geek Reviews

1. 8 out of 10

   candoo

   The card version of Ninjato, a fantastic push your luck game. This is the best card implementation of any full board game I know. Ninjato is an 8 for me. I have to rate this just as well if not higher because it captures the entire essence of the board game. It streamlines/eliminates some of the finickiness of the full game. 1. No longer have to spend actions just to draw dojo cards. Now you just refresh your hand to six cards. Much better! 2. The fiddliness of handling the treasures and elite guards is gone. Added bonus that you are involved/engaged on everyone's turn. WOW! Only concern is that envoys seem a bit overpowered.

2. 6 out of 10

   H8Man

   As I like Ninjato, I had to try this one. Well, there's pretty much no interaction in here, which is a shame, but the game focus on other things and it does well there. While not being the shortest of (card) games I still liked the flow of the game and the push your luck aspect (that drove Ninjato has aswell), is again working like a charm. I think there are many ways to enhance this game, hence the "low" rating. I guess Adam was too focused on Ninjato to let more changes flow into this one or he just wanted it this straight. While the theme perfectly works for Ninjato, it's quite strange that in Kodachi you do not only rob items, but also persons from a palace. That just doesn't fit at all. Anyway, I hope to get a copy and play it more often.

3. 9 out of 10

   Khexhu

   The games potentially fatal flaw is that it is too good of a design. If you don’t realize the importance of taking envoy cards the game will go on far too long. Take an envoy and score a marker then discard extra to get again and the game is already half over. So it is not too long. I always loved Ninjato and even those that preferred other similar games always liked the combat aspect of Ninjato. Pick going high or low than have to stick with your choice as you choose to press your luck. Some “Boss” cards mixed in to change it up and challenge you even more. This game is just that part of Ninjato, further perfected and enhanced in a way that makes more sense with the scoring mechanics similar to Ninjato as well. Defeated guards are treasure you use to buy other cards that go into your hand immediately for special effects or additional values plus endgame points. It replaced Ninjato for us mostly because we are burned out on worker placement anyway and that’s one aspect streamlined out in this game. And secondly because what is left really is better and much more fun, not too mention faster to play. The rule book reads long for what it is only because it’s overflowing in examples and a thorough reference section. You can skip most of this for your first play and be just ok. The odd cards are far less fiddily in scoring than they might first appear. Overall very pleased with this game. Excellent artwork on the cards match the Ninja theme perfectly.