Genpei (2023)

About this game

The emperor is dead and the throne awaits its new host! Who will get the most support to claim the throne? Five powerful houses decide the future of Japan, including the court of the Imperial Palace. Play skillfully to get the support of the clans that dominate the territories in these turbulent times. Genpei stands out for its original mechanics where the players will chain actions to get them closer to victory by influencing more clans than their rival players. Easy to play but hard to master. On your turn you must play one of the two cards from your hand. Whenever you play a clan card, it activates the clan marker on the corresponding clan wheel: move the marker to one of the two adjoining spaces and perform the action indicated on that space. You may perform a chain of actions during the same turn: whenever you draw a card as part of an action its clan marker is activated. Place your influence tokens to get the support of the Houses. The player who receives the support of the most Houses (including the House of the Emperor) is declared the new Emperor and wins the game.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 4. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.