Edo
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.0 / 5
- Year
- 2012
About the game
Edo is an action-programming strategy game for two to four players who take on the role of daimyo in mid-second-millennium Japan, directing samurai to build fortresses, trading posts, and houses around Tokyo. Each player secretly programs actions from their authorization cards, then resolves them in turn order, moving samurai between rice fields, forests, and cities to gather resources and construct buildings. Building in cities earns points and money, with earnings split among all players present, rewarding those who arrive first. Games run about 60 minutes and end once a player reaches twelve points, triggering a final scoring round.
Hobbli's Notes
Edo's action-programming system, later refined into the game Altiplano, is a clever way to create tension between planning ahead and reacting to what opponents do. We like how building in shared cities creates natural competitive pressure: being first to a popular city location really pays off. It has enough moving parts to reward a few plays before all the interactions click. This is a solid pick for fans of mid-heavy Euro games that reward careful resource and route planning.
What we like
- Clever action-programming system rewards forward planning.
- Meaningful player interaction through shared city-building.
- Rich resource and movement management.
- Award-winning design pedigree.
Keep in mind
- Simultaneous action selection can lead to wasted or conflicting turns.
- Moderate-to-high downtime as players compute optimal routes.
- Japanese theme feels somewhat abstracted from the core mechanics.
Who it's for
Best for experienced Euro gamers who enjoy action-programming and resource management, in groups of two to four.
