SHŌBU
2019Jamie Sajdak, Manolis Vranas
- Videos
- 49
- Creators
- 42
Mainly reviews. SHŌBU is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 27 reviews, 8 how-to-play guides, 6 recorded sessions, 5 unboxings, and 3 other videos.
2 players
15 - 30 min
Light weight: Learn it in minutes
From BoardGameGeek
SHOBU is a beautifully crafted abstract strategy game for 2 players. The game features 4 square wood boards (2 of each color) and 16 natural river stones for each player, in two colors, with a rope dividing the play area in half. Your turn is in two parts. First, a player may move one of their stones up to two spaces in any direction, including diagonally, in what is called a passive (or set up) move. Second, they take a more aggressive move, which must be the same direction and number of spaces as the first move. It is this second move that allows you to push stones across the board - or off the board's edge. Remove all four of your opponent's stones from just one of the four boards to win. SHOBU evokes the feeling of GO or CHESS but provides its own unique challenge. It feels immediately familiar and yet is wholly distinct and engaging. -description from publisher
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Which SHŌBU video should I watch?
SHŌBU has 49 videos from 42 creators: 27 reviews, 8 how-to-play guides, 6 playthroughs, 5 unboxings and 3 other videos. They date from 2019 to May 2026.
To learn the rules, start with "Shobu - (Quackalope Gameplay)" by Quackalope, which runs 37 min. For a quicker teach, "Learn to Play: Shobu" by Learn to Play Games runs 8 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "SHŌBU Review - with Tom Vasel" by The Dice Tower. 26 creators have reviewed it. To see it played, watch "SHOBU Live Play Through" by Ruel Gaviola, one of 6 playthroughs.
If you like it, try Checkers, Onitama, BOOoop. or boop the Halls!, which share several of its mechanics. It appears in convention videos from GAMA Expo 2019.
All videos
8 of 42
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About SHŌBU
From BoardGameGeek:
SHOBU is a beautifully crafted abstract strategy game for 2 players. The game features 4 square wood boards (2 of each color) and 16 natural river stones for each player, in two colors, with a rope dividing the play area in half. Your turn is in two parts. First, a player may move one of their stones up to two spaces in any direction, including diagonally, in what is called a passive (or set up) move. Second, they take a more aggressive move, which must be the same direction and number of spaces as the first move. It is this second move that allows you to push stones across the board - or off the board's edge. Remove all four of your opponent's stones from just one of the four boards to win. SHOBU evokes the feeling of GO or CHESS but provides its own unique challenge. It feels immediately familiar and yet is wholly distinct and engaging. -description from publisher
Designers
Jamie Sajdak, Manolis Vranas
Publisher
Smirk & Laughter Games
Categories
Mechanics
Grid MovementAbstract Movement & Capture