SHOBU by Smirk and Dagger: 2 Player Abstract Strategy Board Game, with Wood Boards, River Rocks and a Rope, Beautiful, Challenging and Great Gift for Couples, Family, Adults and Kids Ages 10 and Up

Amazing, easy to learn game.

I gave this to my son for his birthday and we played a couple of games. This is an extemely easy game to learn how to play, but once you play some games you realize how much strategy is involved to play well. Wow. He beat me both times, he's 22 but has regularly been beating me at games like this since he was about 12, and I'm a decent game player. Like chess, there is zero luck involved in this game. Everything is in front of you- nothing is hidden, there are no cards to draw, no dice to roll. No lucky break you might catch, just your brains to rely on, and your opponents brains trying to beat you, which my son did well.The game we received was in fine condition, none of the issues other reviewers noted. Yes, it does seem expensive for what you receive, you can make your own pretty easily, but while you can make your own chess set too, but there's something nice about having a well made set to play on. At some point I'll probably replace the stones they include with some really nice polished malachite or something else I can pick up at a mineral show fairly cheaply, I may even have some in my collection.

Great 1:1 strategy game with a twist. Pieces are solid, though the paint job could be a bit better quality. Get your brain cells warmed up for this one.

Easy to learn and set up, yet challenging. Fun to play. My only complaint is quality control. The overall look is nice. However, I could make it better myself for less money.The rope is to separate player boards.

Our family has really enjoyed this game. It is a simple but yet challenging game for two. It is not a game of chance, but rather a game where you need to think and plan your moves.

I haven't played it yet but my kids love it!

Very elegant and simple teach. I know the rope is superfluous, it’s four wooden boards, and some landscaping stones but this is a case of the sum being greater than the pieces. The wood boards smell great also. Great game and completely worth it.

Component quality was no where good as I expected. Instead of getting a nice black/brown wooden board I got an ugly red one that looks like someone smeared a bunch of barbeque sauce on a white board. Also, the red boards have a really strong odor. The gameplay is fun and quick. It's a shame that the component quality is so bad, you can easily make this game at home with better component quality and for a cheaper price than buying it.In short, gameplay is 10/10. Component quality is 4/10.

Kleine abstrakte Brettspielperle mit einem ungewöhnlichen Twist (passiver Zug / aggressiver Zug), der vorrausschauendes und räumliches Denken erfordert.Das ungewöhnliche Spielmaterial (Holz, Flusskieselsteine und natürlich das Seil) machen es auch zu einem optischen und haptischen Genuss.Absolut empfehlenswert!

This is a really lovely game - a lot to keep an eye on so can take a while to get used to but really fun and beautifully designed. Unfortunately some of our boards weren't what we were expecting but we contacted the sellers who were incredibly helpful in sorting this issue for us. Really, really impressed with such helpful and friendly customer service.

The very first Shobu games came to us from the dimly remembered world of, er, 2019 and it’s a gem of a game. It looks as though it should be ancient. It’s not. If you are expecting Go-like lacquer work and uniform playing pieces then you’re in for a shock. Apart from the use of brown wood stain, the four playing boards come straight from the CNC router - the machining marks still visible in the shallow grooves - and are not oiled or varnished. The playing stones vary in size and in the case of the white ones, also in colour. The short cotton rope is untreated. Yes it’s a very Arts and Crafts, honesty-in-materials approach which may or may not float your ethically-sourced coracle.Injection moulded plastic and laminated card have their advantages too of course, especially when someone knocks over their preferred beverage…Most Go sets force you to buy the board with the full 19 x 19 grid resulting in more of a trial of human patience and bladder than intellect (why is it called “go” when it drags on for hours?). The 9 x 9 Go board is a far better match to the name. (Yes I know it’s considered the “beginners” board, but I prefer to call it the “more of the same isn’t as fascinating as you seem to think” board).Likewise Shobu does not outstay its welcome. Games typically last around 30 minutes; shorter if you focus on one board rather than balance your efforts across all four (btw you’ll probably be the one who loses but hey, it’s over!). The two-step player move is easy to learn and as intriguing as you want it to be. Replacement polished pebbles 2-3cm in size are easy to source if you want to adjust colours.The game is expensive due to lower volumes and transportation costs (it’s a heavy box of pebbles made in China) and when compared to mobile games, yes, the price is high.But if you feel in need of a digital detox, have fond memories of board games and neither time nor patience for long-winded rules and gameplay, then Shobu is worth considering / further research.Recommended.

Finde das Spiel mega, gerade die Spontaneität wie bsp. nicht bei Schach

I've only played a few times but I love how so much complexity grows from such a simple game. I felt like I was playing a version of 4D chess that I recall from the original Star Trek. I don't know how it will develop over time but it feels like a timeless game that could be played with infinite variation. Maybe there a a few simple tricks that guarantee success. I look forward to finding out.