New Game Release – Kokeshi
Grand Gamers Guild has released Kokeshi, a strategic track-building board game of Japanese craftsmanship, into retail.
Step into the role of a master Japanese artisan in Kokeshi, a beautifully designed strategy board game that blends engine-building with an innovative track-building system. Inspired by the traditional craft of wooden Kokeshi dolls, players compete to refine their workshops, improve efficiency, and earn happiness points through skillful planning and clever execution.
Each player begins with a personal workshop mat featuring five distinct tracks. These tracks represent different aspects of your craftsmanship and production capabilities. Unlike traditional engine-builders, Kokeshi allows players to physically build and customize these tracks over the course of the game by placing tiles that extend, enhance, and reshape how their engine functions.
On your turn, you’ll activate one of your tracks, sending a Kokeshi meeple gliding forward along the path you’ve constructed. As the meeple moves, it triggers actions printed on the tiles it passes, which may generate resources, score happiness points, unlock new tiles, or even activate other tracks. Well-designed tracks can spark satisfying chain reactions, creating powerful combos that reward foresight and efficiency. As your workshop improves, your Kokeshi move faster, your actions grow more impactful, and your engine becomes increasingly streamlined.
Every tile placed not only strengthens your strategy but also brings your artistry to life, reflecting the care and precision of true craftsmanship. Kokeshi offers a deeply rewarding experience for players who enjoy strategic planning, engine optimization, and tactile gameplay. With its elegant theme, innovative mechanics, and engaging progression, Kokeshi stands out as a fresh and thoughtful addition to modern tabletop gaming. Craft wisely, build cleverly, and watch your artistry flourish.
Designed by Igor Knop and André Teruya, Kokeshi is for one to four players, ages fourteen and up, and plays in around forty-five minutes. It retails for $49.99.
Grand Gamers Guild also previously released Stroop (see “Stroop card game“).
