Honshū
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.9 / 5
- Year
- 2016
About the game
Honshu is a map-building card game set in feudal Japan, where 2-5 players compete over twelve rounds to expand their personal territory maps. Each round, players play map cards into a trick, and whoever plays the highest value gets first pick from those revealed cards to add to their board. Careful positioning in the turn order and smart layering of terrain tiles determine who scores the most at the end. It's a quick, clever combination of bidding-style drafting and pattern building.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli likes how Honshu turns a simple trick-and-pick mechanism into a genuinely interesting map-building puzzle. Manipulating your position in turn order to get first pick feels clever without becoming fiddly. Its 30-minute playtime and gentle rules make it an easy fit for a casual table. Some of the finer strategic comparisons here are made with moderate confidence given how niche this specific title is.
What we like
- Unique trick-and-pick drafting mechanism for map cards.
- Satisfying tableau and map building that develops each round.
- Quick 30-minute playtime suits a casual session.
- Scales well from 2 up to 5 players.
Keep in mind
- Turn order and bidding position can create swinginess.
- Downtime can build up with more players deciding picks (downtime grade C).
- Layering and splaying rules add a small learning curve for casual players.
Who it's for
Good for casual card-game fans aged 8+ who enjoy map-building and drafting, in groups of 2-5.
