Game Title : Compete of Takeda's heritage
Publisher : Game Journal #51
Game Designer : Yumiko Endoh
Game Theme : Battle around Shin-syu, Koh-syu areas just after the death of Nobunaga Oda
Game Components
1 game map, 1 counter sheet, rulebook
You also need dice and an opaque cup.
Situation
The game starts at the moment of Hon-noh-ji, the death of Nobunaga Oda.
The three factions, Uesugi, Tokugawa, and Hohjoh started to invade the Koh-Shin area, the heritage of Takeda-clan which had been controlled by Nobunaga at the moment.
Though there are 3 factions, this game is played with only 2 people.
The faction each player control is decided randomly just after the first turn. And this information can be kept secret as long as that player would like to reveal and take full control of that faction. Until that moment, each faction is controlled by both players alternatively.
The victory is achieved that the faction that player control have conquered the determined numbers of areas. If no player can achieve the criteria, then both players lose the game.
Challenge
This is a tricky 2 players’ game as written above.
There are six faction turns in one turn. All 3 factions are moved by each player every turn.
This sounds that one turn is very long. But, due to movement system, it is really playable. In each faction’s turn, the player who move them roll a die. The player can move the number of units equals the die roll (1 to 6). And if that faction is not his revealed entity, each unit must only advance, in other words must move further from their territory.
Even with 6 factions’ turns, each turn can be finished very shortly.
The victory is achieved that his revealed entity controls the determined number of areas until the end of the campaign (12 turns).
In case of Tokugawa and Hohjoh, he must control 6 areas. For Uesugi, he must control only 4 areas, because his home territory is smaller than other 2 factions.
So, you must be careful to invade the Koh-Shin areas by your secret entity. And also you should try to bother the opponent’s faction to get control of areas by using the third faction.
So, it is very important when you reveal your entity.
The interesting gadget is included as Oda garrisons. They are garrison for the Koh-Shin areas and only defend and retreat. But, once eliminated, they become special chits for the player who eliminated them. They are really powerful. Some chits are drm for movement, or combat. Some chits can give the player chance of treachery in specified areas. Some chits can give the player an alliance of the Sanada clan who is famous for their strength.
These chits give the players chances of blitzkrieg. I think these can give the game more excitement. And I believe that the game can be finished by them before the end of campaign.
Conclusion
Though this is a small magazine game, the game system is really unique and the game play is filled with excitement. Especially, secret entity rule is really innovative and works very well.
If you have this game, please try this game as soon as possible, even though this is a second issue game.
