Taiko

A strategic table-top card game set in Japan during the age of samurai.

Taiko was designed in Pittsburgh with the goal of creating a fast-to-learn game that engaged the attention of both casual (social) and strategic players. The number of players can be extended from a minimum of 2 seamlessly to an unlimited number of players (Present record is a single circle of 14 players). Taiko has a unique starting setup since each player begins with an identical army (selected from the available cards), and there is no random shuffling or dealing anytime during the game.

Gameplay: Each player begins with a castle to defend, and 7 warrior cards. Simultaneously, each player put facedown a card from their hand on their left and a card on their right which will attack that neighbor. Cards are resolved based on their value (higher wins) or by special abilities. After resolving, all cards are traded. The game continues until all castles are defeated except for the last castle standing: the round champion.

—description from the designer