Imagine an epic battle atop Mount Hotaka, where two armies of Dragon Lords fight for a classic reason: the heart of Princess Kushinada. The conflict was so ferocious that a powerful wizard intervened, trapping everyone in a magical circle of eternal combat. This is where you come in, taking command of three types of dragons in a relentless tactical duel.

The game uses two six-sided dice. The cool part is the flexibility: you can either combine the values to move a single piece a long distance or split the numbers to move two different dragons. Movement happens within the inner circle, and the only way to transition to the outer circle is by landing on the same space as another piece. This is when the action (or tragedy) strikes, depending on which dragon you're using.

Each color has a devastating effect: Vine dragons (green) entangle the opponent, Water dragons (blue) expel the piece off the board (sending it back to the holding tray), and Fire dragons (red) are the most feared, as they destroy the opponent's piece, removing it permanently from the game. Strategy revolves around how you manage your moves to annihilate the enemy forces.

To win, you need to be efficient. Victory is achieved by completely destroying all of one type of the opponent's dragons or by knocking every single enemy piece off the board. It's an abstract strategy game with a healthy dose of 'Take That' mechanics that make the matches dynamic and competitive. If you enjoy compact board games with an elegant look that blend dice luck with tactical decisions, Tatsu is the perfect choice for a quick 30 to 45-minute duel.