A review for Tokaido requires a discussion on the theme and art, and a discussion on the mechanics.
Let's start with the mechanics. Tokaido is an odd combination of the Game of Life and Parcheesi, with a unique movement twist thrown in. Tokaido is based on Tokai-do, an old road that runs between Kyoto and Tokyo. The board is a representation of that road, with stops for beautiful views, hot springs, inns, and the like. Every turn, the last player on the road will move as little or as far as they would like - no dice rolling, no spinning, you decide the distance. However, you cannot stop at a location occupied by another player (the Parcheesi element), and all players must stop at the various inns for everyone to catch up. When you make stop, you will engage in an encounter and various things will happen - too varied for this review - all of which are based around points or money (the Game of Life element). You can also potentially gain benefits based on the ability of your traveler (there are 10, increasing the replayability substantially).
It is simple premise, so I found myself surprised at the light tactical nature of the game. Where and when you move matters quite a bit, as does when you move into an inn. Your timing can both hurt your opponents and yourself if you're not careful. On top of that, you need to decide whether to play to your abilities or worry more about hamper your opponent's. While Tokaido won't win any awards for it's strategy, it will keep your brain engaged enough during your play.
The theme and the art are what really steal the show and bring the game to the table. As noted, the game is about a journey, a peaceful walk in a slower time. Everything is (digitally) painted in bright watercolors, with quite a bit of variation within each type of encounter. For example, when you draw a meal card at the inn, there are 10 or 12 different food types. It is a pleasant experience to play this game on a cold rainy day; with a bit of imagination, you really feel as though you are travelling along the coast of southern Japan.
To me, it is that ability to inspire the imagination that puts Tokaido into the 5-star territory. Once the mechanics are explained, our house rule will be that you don't receive your points unless you role-play the encounter. There is enough variety among the encounter types - and of course the imagination is limitless - to turn the game into a great story-telling game! On top of being great for kids, it helps make the game remain meaningful even when you are in last place. Even if you don't play that way, you will find yourself writing a story in your head.
I would strongly suggest this game for any family and as a light breather for game groups. It is a simple game, but one that can still make you smile if you let it.
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| Tokaido | Tokaido: Crossroads Expansion | Funforge Tokaido: Matsuri Expansion | Tokaido: Collector's Accessory Pack | Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time | Professor Evil and the Architects of Magic | |
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| Price | — | — | $33.00 | — | $24.99 | $6.10 |
| Type of Game | Board Game | Board Game | Board Game | Board Game | Board Game | Board Game |
| Number of Players | 2-5 Players | 2-5 Players | 2-5 Players | 2-5 Players | 2-4 Players | 2 Players |
| Average Playtime | 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes | 90 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
| Recommended Player Age | 8+ | 8+ | 8+ | 8+ | 8+ | 8+ |
| Game Objectives | Travel the famed Tokaido road, visit hot springs, try new food, and paint landscapes. | Experience cherry trees in full bloom, luxurious bathhouses, good luck charms, calligraphy, legendary objects and even clandestine gambling rooms. | Add game-changing festivals and 16 new travelers to your journeys. | Upgrade the content of your original box to the Deluxe Edition with 16 traveler miniatures, metal coins and plastic point markers and player tokens. | Can you grab the Mona Lisa, the Rosetta Stone and Excalibur before time runs out, or will these priceless artifacts be lost forever? | Stop Professor Evil from using his new time portal to keep stealing treasures. |
| Theme | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Sci-Fi/Secret Agents | Sci-Fi/Secret Agents |
| Strategy Game | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adventure Game | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Set Collection Game | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Expansion(s) Available | ✓ | is an expansion | is an expansion | is an accessory pack | ✓ | is an expansion |
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Delivers a relaxing feeling
Tokaido is a relatively simple game that gives you a very relaxing feeling while playing. We'll often play it after a heavier game just to relax a bit. The rules are very straighforward. Each player is a character with a special ability that will help you when you stop at specific spaces as you traverse the path. Decisions are fairly easy: stop at a location, pick up the corresponding card and gain immediate points, choose to purchase it or leave an offering at the temple. Almost every action will give you some points so it minimized analysis paralysis.Turn order is determined by the person last on the path. If you move too far ahead to claim a space, you're allowing your opponents more time to move and gain points. There are several locations where everyone will catchup before you proceed on the path so no one can really get too far ahead.The artwork is beautiful and adds to the zen-like experience of playing. Actions you take against another player appear very subtle since all you can really do is block them from taking a certain space but then they may take a space you really want.This is a good game to introduce non-gamers to or to people that just want a relatively simple game to learn and play.
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Top reviews from other countries
Max de Mendizabal
Un juego muy bonito, como un paseo por Japón
Reviewed in Mexico on February 2, 2024Joe Parker
Great game with brilliant art design
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2024
