Shadow Ninjas is a game full of intrigue and deception. A real cat and mouse game that is incredibly challenging on the memory. It is very fun, fast paced and highly entertaining. What more could you want?
The Dojo
The rules, a little disappointingly, were not quite as succinct as we felt they should be. For the most part clear enough to follow but just a couple of questionable items that we took a view on and made it work.
The mechanics are quite straightforward. A game for 2-5 players where the ninjas take on the guards. One player will control the guards with the remaining players taking control of the ninjas. The objective is simple, the ninjas have to cross the board to steal one Koi Carp, the guards have to find all the ninjas and prevent a single Koi Carp being taken.
Shadow Ninjas is a game full of intrigue and deception. A real cat and mouse game that is incredibly challenging on the memory. It is very fun, fast paced and highly entertaining. What more could you want?
The Dojo
The rules, a little disappointingly, were not quite as succinct as we felt they should be. For the most part clear enough to follow but just a couple of questionable items that we took a view on and made it work.
The mechanics are quite straightforward. A game for 2-5 players where the ninjas take on the guards. One player will control the guards with the remaining players taking control of the ninjas. The objective is simple, the ninjas have to cross the board to steal one Koi Carp, the guards have to find all the ninjas and prevent a single Koi Carp being taken.
The Ninjas divide up the ninjas and the shadow counters and lay them all out in the starting zone (ninjas face down) in secret from the guard player. The ninjas need to remember where they placed their ninjas as there is no checking. The guards are then placed.
There are 4 pairs of dice to be rolled for the ninjas, to which we placed each dice on a counter to then move across the obstacle-filled board towards getting those Koi. Then the guards play in the same manner. The guards have to hunt down those ninjas and spot them, the ninja players evade the guards and get the Koi.
The way of the warrior
The theming is fun. Ninja cats versus guard dogs. A classic battle with a wonderful theme placed across it. The artwork across the box, the board and the counters is brilliant. It sets a lovely tone for an exciting game. The artwork is so eye-catching. The set stands out to my young children and they want to try, unfortunately, too young to play, but the art has done its job in capturing the imagination and you have to applaud that.
Ninja Cats
This is hard work. We’ve played Shadow Ninjas in 2 player mode and as the ninja player, trying to remember where 4 ninjas are in a pool of 16 counters is tough. 12 shadow counters and the all important 4 ninjas. You are creating/playing in a way to deceive the guard player. The shadow counters however do nothing if they get to the Koi, simply go back to the start and continue on. If the guards spot the shadow counter, simply flip the counter to check but it stays in play. If it is a Ninja then it is removed.
It’s tough as an individual to remember where all the ninjas are, especially when moving 8 counters a turn. You need an exceptional memory. Which is why it felt a little more like luck getting the ninja to a Koi than real skill.
On reflecting on a game that has more players. The ninja players play in secret from each other so they do not know where each other’s ninja are. However they can move any counter they want on a turn. So an allied player, working to achieve the same goal could actually be moving your ninja the wrong way if you had other plans. There will be different challenges for the ninja playing group that will be both frustrating and hilarious to be a part of.
Guard Dogs
Arguably the easier role to play. Just get out there and spot as many of those ninjas as possible. The challenge they have is there are 16 counters to check and multiple routes to the Koi that these 2 have to try and check. It is not easy. However the job gets easier as you spot those ninjas. Interestingly though, even though they are easier to use, we have yet to win with them which is fascinating. We’ve taken out some ninja cats but never got them all.
Pros and Cons
It’s hugely entertaining to play through. The back and forth among the players and banter around trying to play secretly as the ninjas and not appear obvious in the counters you are taking forward is a huge amount of fun. Equally laughing at the ninja player who cannot remember where their ninjas are in play. But refuses to take a play to check.
The game relies heavily on dice. All you want is high numbers on your d6. You are willing fives and sixes to get your pieces moving. If you are rolling plenty of ones and twos you will lose and it doesn’t matter which side you are on. This is a little tedious but arguably adds to the entertainment. I’d liken it to a more complicated version of the children’s game frustration, because it is.
Final Thoughts
It’s fair to say Shadow Ninjas will not be for everyone. I’m not fully sold on it, however I had a lot of fun and laughs playing it, even if my brain did hurt a bit after a round on the ninja side.
