Samurai Sword
- Players
- 3-7
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 7 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 40 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.8 / 5
- Year
- 2012
About the game
Samurai Sword adapts the proven Bang! system into a feudal Japan setting, with hidden roles, bluffing, and card-based combat among 3-7 players. Instead of separate weapon and attack cards, Samurai Sword fuses them into single cards, streamlining play and keeping the pace brisk. A new scoring system based on honor points and resilience points removes player elimination, so everyone stays in the fight to the very end. Variable player powers give each hidden role its own flavor and strategy, adding replay value across games. It's a faster, more dynamic take on the hidden-role duel format Bang! popularized.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team appreciates that Samurai Sword keeps everything that made Bang! fun while trimming some of its rougher edges, especially by removing player elimination. The honor/resilience scoring keeps everyone invested through the final turn instead of watching from the sidelines. It's a great pick for larger groups who enjoy bluffing and hidden information, though the theme swap is mostly cosmetic for Bang! veterans. Downtime can build up in bigger groups, so it's best with players who stay engaged even when it's not their turn.
What we like
- Proven Bang!-style hidden-role gameplay reskinned with a feudal Japan theme.
- No player elimination thanks to the honor and resilience scoring system.
- Variable player powers add strong asymmetric replay value.
- Supports large groups of up to seven players.
- Fused weapon/attack cards streamline and speed up combat.
Keep in mind
- Downtime for players with few remaining actions can be significant.
- Hidden-role deduction can feel swingy based on early player reads.
- Some rules overhead in learning each character's unique abilities.
- The theme reskin may feel less distinct to players who already know Bang!.
Who it's for
Great for larger groups of 3-7 players aged 8+ who enjoy hidden-role bluffing games with combat and variable powers.
