Onitama is a two-player abstract game that brings a super interesting twist to the genre, blending pure strategy with a touch of randomness in the initial setup. Imagine a 5x5 board where each player starts with five pieces, one of which is their Master, the most important piece. The big deal here are the movement cards: each player has two open cards that define the possible moves for any of their pieces. And there's a fifth card, which remains 'neutral,' waiting to enter play.

On your turn, you choose one of your cards, move a piece according to its pattern, and, here's the cool part, you swap the card you just used for the neutral card. The card you just used becomes the new neutral card, ready to be used by your opponent in the next round! This dynamic creates a constant cycle of moves and decisions, where you need to think not only about your turn but also about what you're 'giving' to your opponent.

The objective is simple yet challenging: capture your opponent's Master or move your own Master to the opponent's Master's starting space. Capturing common opponent pieces is also possible; just move one of your pieces to the square where it stands. With quick games and surprising strategic depth, Onitama is a treat for anyone who enjoys board games that make you think hard, but without the complexity of chess.