Nanahoshi

About this board game

Nanahoshi is a two-player abstract game of hidden information that plays in about 10 minutes. In this 2013 game, twelve ladybugs begin face-down on the board, keeping their identities concealed until players choose to reveal them.

Players take turns selecting one of three actions. You may reveal one of the face-down ladybugs, turning it in any direction, rotate one of your ladybugs 90 degrees, or move one step forward. Each decision can change the position, orientation, and information available on the board.

• Reveal a face-down ladybug and turn it in any direction.
• Turn one of your ladybugs 90 degrees.
• Move one step forward.

Ladybugs are not all alike. Different pieces have different point values and different moving capabilities, so discovering what is hidden and judging when to advance are central to the game. A ladybug that moves onto a ladybug of the other color captures it, making movement both a tactical opportunity and a way to score.

The game ends when one player captures ladybugs worth a total of 7 points. Because the pieces start concealed and may be oriented in different directions, Nanahoshi combines a compact ruleset with uncertainty and tactical choices. Players must weigh the benefits of revealing information, rotating their own pieces, and moving toward a valuable capture.

Designed for exactly two players, Nanahoshi offers a focused abstract contest in a short playing time. Its mix of face-down pieces, varied movement capabilities, and point-based captures gives each turn a clear purpose while keeping the race to seven points tense.