7.0
rating
Ludopedia
6.6
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy fast cooperative games with risky choices, Samurai Spirit will hook you.
Highlights
- Fun cooperative play
- Quick strategic decisions
- Captivating samurai theme
Keep in mind
- Only three rounds
- Solo play can be shaky
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Samurai Spirit puts you and your fellow samurais as the last line of defense for a terrified village besieged by a blood‑thirsty horde of bandits. The game is cooperative and spans three rounds, during which each player, on their turn, draws a bandit card and chooses among three actions: fight the foe, defend the village, or let the bandit pass to aid another samurai. Every decision matters – fighting early speeds up your character’s transformation into a savage beast, but also brings you closer to death and weakens the village’s defenses; focusing on protection may leave you under‑powered when the final lieutenants appear. At the end of each round, farms and fences are destroyed, and the win condition is to finish with at least one intact farm and enough farmers to tend it. Push‑your‑luck and variable player powers give each samurai unique abilities and force risk‑vs‑reward choices. The game blends Japanese fantasy, martial‑arts combat, and a hint of animal spirit as samurais channel bestial energies. With a playtime of 20‑45 minutes and a light rule‑book (weight 2.1), Samurai Spirit suits 1‑7 players who enjoy cooperative strategy, quick decisions, and dramatic tension. If you love feeling the weight of samurai honor while balancing heroism and survival, this title will hook you.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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Samurai Spirit - How To Play, by Watch It Played
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Presentation of Samurai Spirit (Gen Con 2014)
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Overview of Samurai Spirit at Gen Con 2014
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Learn to Play Samurai Spirit
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Off The Shelf Board Game Reviews - Samurai Spirit - How To Play
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Overly Critical Gamers - Samurai Spirit - Instructional/Gameplay/Review
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Quick and Complete: Samurai Spirit!
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Funforge, Gémklub, Hobby World, MYBG Co., Ltd., Rebel Sp. z o.o., Rexhry
Designer
Antoine Bauza
Artist
Víctor Pérez Corbella
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can join?
From 1 to 7 players, with 3‑5 offering the best flow.
What’s the playing time?
Typically 20‑45 minutes, depending on player count and familiarity.
How complex are the rules?
Lightweight (BGG weight 2.1), learnable in under ten minutes.
Are the components good quality?
Yes, the game includes bandit cards, samurai miniatures, farm tokens and beast‑spirit markers.
Is it suitable for kids?
Recommended for ages 10+, as it involves strategic choices and mild combat themes.
Can I play solo?
A solo mode exists, but the cooperative tension is reduced compared to group play.
What are the core mechanics?
Cooperative play, push‑your‑luck decisions, and variable player powers for each samurai.
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