Onitama*
Immerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.
In this strategic dance, players hold two open cards, each revealing a possible move for any of their pieces. An enigmatic fifth card adds an element of surprise. On a turn, players select a card, execute the corresponding move, and then swap the used card with the elusive fifth card. This ballet continues, with each player adapting their tactics based on the opponent's last move.
Gameplay Overview
- Strategically navigate the 5x5 board, starting with five pawns and placing the main pawn centrally.
- Employ two open cards displaying potential moves, with an enigmatic fifth card adding an unpredictable twist.
- Execute chosen moves and adapt strategies by swapping cards after each turn.
- Victory comes through pawn elimination or achieving a decisive move, capturing the opponent's main pawn or infiltrating their main pawn's starting space.
Embark on the journey of Onitama, where every move shapes the path to triumph in this captivating strategic ballet on a 5x5 canvas.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
- 2 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
We like Onitama so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024
- Position 5 in All games of the "Hunter & Cron Patreon Award 2018" list 🇩🇪
- Position 19 in Covid-19-List: The best games to play remote by video conference
- Position 35 in The 50 most popular🌟 board games on Geizhals
- Position 35 in The 50 most popular🌟 board games
- Position 9 in The best abstract♟ board, card & dice games
- Position 17 in The best board games for two players
- Position 14 in The best board games that you can play only with two people
- Position 28 in The best board games you can play in 20 minutes⏰
- Position 18 in The best "Cardboard Republic Laurel Awards🇺🇸" winners and nominees
- Position 2 in The best combinatorial games 🧮
- Position 4 in The Best Games from Days of Wonder 🇺🇸/🇫🇷🏢
- Position 16 in The Best Games from Pegasus Spiele 🇩🇪🏢
- Position 5 in The best games presented at the Spiel 2014 game fair in Essen, Germany
- Position 35 in The best games recommended ❤️ by Spiegel Online magazine
- Position 7 in The best games released in 2014📆
- Position 6 in The best games set in Japan 🇯🇵
- Position 4 in The best games with square grid ◻️
- Position 4 in The best grid-movement board games
- Position 8 in The best "MinD Games Award🇩🇪" winners and nominees
- Position 15 in The Best "UK Games Expo Awards🇬🇧" winners and nominees
- Position 13 in The most beautiful board, card & dice games of all time