James Clavell's Shogun (1988)

About this game

From the publisher: The family game of diplomacy, duplicity, and military conquest in feudal Japan. Each player, as one of the five Regents, attempts to increase his control over the central provinces of Honshu Island and to suppress his fellow regents so that he alone can become Shogun. Includes game board depicting the 25 central provinces of Honshu Island; the three principal cities of Yedo, Nagoyah, and Osaka; and the Great South Road of Tokaido. Also, 39 Troop Unit markers, 2 Leader units, 136 influence markers, 23 event markers, 80 pieces of game money, 115 Karma cards, 39 honor tokens, 25 plastic bases, 5 turn order cards, 2 ten-sided dice and a rules book. Note: combat is resolved by means of combat results table.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 5.
• Rules load. At 2.6/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.