Redvers and Son Get Into Bushido

Overall, it’s a really nice starter set and a very reasonable price entry point. The faction starter sets also look excellent as well although we don’t yet have any of those (not yet at least!). The models within the box are Ronin and are considered mercenaries in the game, with each model being an individual character. While you can’t play Ronin as a faction, you can recruit individual Ronin into your faction if they align with that faction. Each faction can recruit at least a couple of the characters in the starting set, so you should be able to get mileage out of this set whichever way you go. However, to get you going, the 10 characters are built around two warring families with the younger member of each family being in love – it’s a story I’ve heard somewhere before…. This setup will allow you to play a small game right out of the box.

I’ll start with the (minor) negatives first. The rule book is a little unclear in places and could do with some additional examples. Some parts require reading a couple of times to get the full understanding. And I think that in a couple of places, there are minor errors. Nothing significant and common sense should reveal the correct answer. I also don’t like the token set. It’s printed on thin card rather than the thicker card stock you find in most board games. This makes the tokens very bendy and less durable. And I struggled to pick them up with my fat fingers. I appreciate that this was probably a cost decision, but thicker, better quality tokens would have been nicer. Finally, there are also a lot of special rules that requires a lot of diving into the rule book. I’m sure that after a few games I will learn them, but our first game was a little slow.

Otherwise, this is a great game. The rules, once learnt, allow for a great skirmish. It’s alternative activation but with the option to activate the same model in two consecutive turns (if it has the counters to do so) so both players are always engaged. Individual turns are quick and the game develops rapidly. I like the options to enhance certain attacks/defences through use of ‘Ki’ (in game currency generated by some characters for spending on such things) or to use Ki for special moves, magic etc. There’s a lot of flavour here.

It’s also worth noting that the game is scenario focused although we have yet to try any of those. Our games so far have just been about learning to play.

The models are also lovely. The ones included in the box are resin and the blisters are either metal or resin. They all come with their character card as well. Most are single piece although a couple in the starter set were two part (which I’ve not stuck together yet to make painting easier).