I’ve played Onitama several times digitally and I can safely say I am not very good at it.

But, might as well review it!

In the peaceful Heian era, there were two siblings, children of a famous onmyo master. Both children were of the opinion that they and not the other should inherit the title of onmyo master. They decided that they would show the other how skilled they were in controlling various spirits. In other words, letting their own and their puppet’s bodies be overtaken by their spirits.

Onitama Game Play

Players set up their figures on each side of the board with their onmyo pawn in the middle and 2 puppet pawns either side. The spirit cards are shuffled and 2 are dealt to each player and 1 placed next to the board. The rest of the cards are not used.

On a players turn they pick any of their pawns and 1 of their two spirit cards. The card will show where they can move their pawn on the board. They move it as shown and if they land on an opponents piece they remove it from the board.

The spirit card played is then placed in the middle of the table. The one that was in the middle is taken by the active player.

The next player then takes their turn with the middle card switching every turn.

If you take your opponent’s onmyo pawn or place your onmyo on your opponent s onmyo starting space, you win the game.

Theme

This is an abstract game like Chess. I’m not sure there is a theme or that there is even supposed to be one.

Setup

Board out, pieces out, 5 cards out. This couldn’t be a simpler game to set up!

Components & Artwork

The physical pieces look nice. I have no idea what they’re made out of or how heavy they are but they look good.

The cards are simple to read and look quite nice. It’s very simple artwork but it’s quite effective to give the game the feel I believe it was after.

Ease of Teaching & Accessibility

It’s like chess but with cards, so you don’t have to remember how pieces move It’s all open information so it’s all good.

It is 100% accessible, there isn’t even anything to read really. Only the name of the spirit card which isn’t that important really.

Onitama Summary

I do like these quick and simple 1v1 abstract games like Mijnlieff but Kamisado is my favourite. In those games, every attacking move is also a defensive move which I love and this game is similar-ish.

If you use a card you have to pass it over so is it a card you want your opponent to have? I played a game once where only 1 spirit card allowed you to move a piece forward and left leading to both sides drifting to their respective right.

So here you need to look at how you can take advantage of this.

How can you use it to your benefit? if you have that card do you keep hold of it so your opponent can’t get it? If your opponent holds it can you make sure they get a card they can’t/shouldn’t use so they have to give it up?

Of course, if you hoard a card that limits you to JUST the other card which will not be optimal.

The end of the game can get weird and players just move around each other trying to avoid losing, especially if there are only 2-3 pieces total left on the board. This is where you need to attack and get your onmyo on your opponents starting space while there is room to move safely.

Also, keep your eye on the cards your opponent has, you don’t want to move one of your pieces into a position where they can take it off the board.

Another great thing is as you will randomly pick 5 different spirit cards, each game is very different.

Onitama iPad Version

The iPad version of Onitama is really good and easy to use. Just tap a card and tap a piece, it will show all the legal moves.

The look of the game is really nice as is the music. There are a few microtransactions, a couple are cosmetic but one adds extra spirit cards for more variety.

I would recommend this game as a fun, quick strategic digital game and if it’s your thing, check out the physical version.

Jesta ThaRogue