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rating
Ludopedia
7.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
Looking for a beautiful and relaxing game to build your own aquatic garden? Kōhaku is the perfect choice!
Highlights
- Visually stunning and zen
- Simple rules, fluid gameplay
- Great for solo play
- Subtle strategic challenge
Keep in mind
- Scoring can be tricky
- Low player interaction
RECOMMENDED
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Get ready to dive into an oasis of tranquility with Kōhaku! This tile-laying game invites you to build your own koi pond, a zen corner where beauty and strategy meet. Each turn, you'll carefully select a koi and a feature tile (like flowers, frogs, or butterflies) from a central board, the 'pond'. Then, it's time to fit these pieces into your personal pond, which has a freeform shape, allowing you to create a unique design. The goal is to score points in creative ways: surrounding flowers with same-colored koi, placing frogs next to dragonflies, ensuring baby koi have a safe haven near rocks, and lining up butterflies to admire colorful koi. Turtles and statues also come into play, bringing balance and extra points, though sometimes they aren't as valuable as other features. The trick is to plan well, because once a tile is in your pond, it stays there! The game ends when there are no more koi tiles left to replenish the central board. Then, just tally up the points and see who has created the most spectacular pond. Kōhaku is a relaxing experience, but one that demands attention to detail, perfect for those who enjoy abstract games with a touch of nature and Japanese aesthetics.
GALLERY
11 photos · from the community
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
In English
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Kohaku - How to Play | Learn to Play Kohaku in 5 minutes
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Kohaku - How to play - (Quackalope How To)
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One Minute Overview of Kohaku
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Kohaku - Part 3: game tutorial
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Kohaku - Solo Playthrough
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How to Play Kohaku
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Kohaku Live Runthrough
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Kōhaku - Part 2: game set up
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Kohaku Board Game Review and Partial Solo Playthrough
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Gold Seal Games, 25th Century Games, Hobby World, Nasza Księgarnia
Designer
Danny Devine
Artist
Danny Devine
Who is Kōhaku for?
It's ideal for players who enjoy abstract tile-laying games with a peaceful theme and beautiful visuals. It works great for solo players, but also for couples or small groups looking for a more contemplative experience.
How long does a game take?
Games are quite quick, usually lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, making it perfect for fitting into a game night or playing multiple rounds.
Is Kōhaku difficult to learn?
Not at all! The basic rules are very easy to grasp. You choose a tile and place it in your pond. The complexity comes from the strategy of how to position the tiles to maximize your points, but the learning curve is quite smooth.
How many players can play Kōhaku?
It's designed for 1 to 4 players. The solo mode is very good, and with more players, the dynamic shifts slightly, focusing more on the competition for tiles than direct player interaction.
Are the game components good quality?
Yes! Kōhaku is known for its beautiful and high-quality components, with tiles that fit well and a visual style that evokes a serene Japanese garden.
What's Kōhaku's main selling point?
Kōhaku's big charm lies in its combination of visual beauty with satisfying tile-placement mechanics and a robust solo mode. It's a game that is both calming and challenging.