ARCAKNIFE

ARCAKNIFE

Miyabi Lab · Board game · 2026
Ludopedia
— Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
— BoardGameGeek
Players
3–6
Play Time
30–45 min
Weight
Weight —/5
Year
Year 2026
Minimum age
Minimum age 12+
Buy
— rating Ludopedia
— rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

ARCAKNIFE is a frantic and visually striking experience, perfect for those who enjoy "take that" games with a twist of spatial strategy. The rotating board mechanic creates moments of genuine tension, where a well-planned move can save your skin or seal a rival's fate. It is the type of game that generates plenty of nervous laughter and epic reversals, ideal for groups who don't take defeat too personally.

Highlights
  • Innovative rotating board mechanic
  • High player interaction
  • Dark and immersive theme
  • Fast and dynamic gameplay
Keep in mind
  • Can be frustrating for sensitive players
  • Requires constant table reading
  • Chaos can disrupt strategic plans
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In ARCAKNIFE, you are thrust into the bizarre and dangerous 'Arcana World', a realm ruled by a whimsical and unpredictable entity known as The Fool (LOOF). LOOF's favorite pastime? Creating deadly survival games where knives rain from the sky like a summer storm—only significantly more lethal. Your mission, should you choose to accept this life-or-death challenge, is to be the last survivor, proving you are sharper than your opponents and better at interpreting LOOF's prophecies.

The game's core revolves around worker placement mechanics and sharp spatial awareness. Each round, new prophecies are revealed, and each player must choose one to interpret. The clever twist is that the prophecy's outcome depends entirely on where your avatar is positioned on the board. And here comes the chaos: the board rotates! This means a spot that felt safe a moment ago can instantly turn into a deadly trap filled with sharp blades. You aren't just choosing actions; you must anticipate how the board's rotation will shift everyone's position.

It is a game of constant table reading. You need to keep an eye on what your friends are planning, manipulate the board's rotation to your advantage, and ensure that if anyone is getting skewered by knives, it isn't you. The atmosphere is thick with fun tension, featuring a dark tarot-inspired aesthetic that gives it a unique charm. If you enjoy games that blend strategy with a bit of 'take that' and a dash of physical unpredictability, ARCAKNIFE will place you at the center of a survival spectacle that is as stressful as it is rewarding. Sharpen your reflexes, hone your intuition, and try not to be the primary target of the next round of knives. After all, in LOOF's world, fate is something you mold... or something that cuts you.

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–6 players
3 OK
4 OK
5 OK
6 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Mechanics

Categories

Publisher Miyabi Lab
Designer 2No (Nino)

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
What is the average playtime?
Games are quite snappy, usually lasting between 30 to 45 minutes.
How many players can join?
The game is designed for groups of 3 to 6 players.
Is it hard to learn?
It has a gentle learning curve, focusing more on board awareness than complex rules.
Is there a lot of player interaction?
Yes, interaction is very high! You will constantly be trying to put your opponents in the path of the knives.
Does the board actually rotate?
Yes, the physical rotation of the board is the central element that shifts the game's dynamics.

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