Mottainai

Mottainai

Card Game
Players
2-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
2 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
30 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
13+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
3.2 / 5
Year
2015

About the game

Mottainai is Carl Chudyk's successor to Glory to Rome, a clever card game about acolytes performing tasks, gathering materials, and completing works for temple visitors. Every card in your hand can serve multiple purposes, as a task, a material, or a work, creating rich multi-use decisions each turn. Choosing a task lets you act, but it also gives the next player a chance to follow your lead, creating tight tactical interaction. With careful planning of which works to complete and materials to sell, players build efficient engines in a surprisingly short playtime. It's a dense, elegant design that delivers deep strategy in a compact card-only package.

Hobbli's Notes

Hobbli's team considers Mottainai a hidden gem for fans of clever, interlocking card games. The multi-use card design, a hallmark of Chudyk's style, makes every decision feel meaningful and constrained. Its quick 30-minute playtime belies genuine strategic depth that rewards repeat plays. It's a great pick for gamers who loved Glory to Rome but want something more streamlined and portable.

What we like

  • Multi-use cards create rich, constrained decision-making.
  • Compact, portable design with a short 30-minute playtime.
  • Elegant follow mechanic drives strong player interaction.
  • Standalone successor that stands well beside Glory to Rome.

Keep in mind

  • Dense rules text can be tricky to parse at first.
  • Print & play format may deter players wanting a retail product.
  • Best experienced with 2-3 players, limiting larger groups.

Who it's for

Best for experienced card-game enthusiasts (13+) who enjoy dense, tactical card games; ideal for 2-3 players.

Mechanics

FollowHand ManagementMulti-Use CardsSet CollectionTeam-Based GameVariable Phase Order

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