Yokohama
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.3 / 5
- Year
- 2016
About the game
In Yokohama, players take on the role of merchants in Meiji-era Japan, building stores, expanding sales channels, learning new techniques, and fulfilling foreign trade orders. Using worker placement on a modular board that shifts each game, players move a shared network of workers across the map to gather goods, complete contracts, and increase their standing. Set collection and route-building intertwine with the placement puzzle, rewarding players who can plan efficient paths through the growing city. Historical Yokohama's transformation into a modern trade hub provides the backdrop for this dense economic contest.
Hobbli's Notes
Yokohama offers a rich, interconnected worker-placement puzzle with a satisfying sense of building toward bigger and better contracts. The variable setup keeps repeat plays feeling fresh, though the fiddly bookkeeping and dry historical theme can be a barrier for less experienced groups. It rewards patient, planning-minded players more than those looking for a fast-paced experience.
What we like
- The worker-placement and route-building combination creates a rich strategic puzzle.
- Variable setup keeps the modular board fresh across plays.
- Contracts give players clear long-term goals to plan around.
- Rewards careful, efficient planning over the course of the game.
Keep in mind
- Bookkeeping and tracking can feel fiddly at the table.
- Analysis paralysis is a real risk given the number of options.
- The historical trade theme is somewhat dry and abstract.
- Downtime can build up with four players.
Who it's for
Best for euro-game enthusiasts ages 12+ who enjoy medium-heavy worker placement and route-building in groups of 2-4.
