Watch “Joraku ~ Taylor's Trick-Taking Table,” a board game review for Joraku from Taylor's Trick-Taking Table on BoardGameVideo.
Description provided by Taylor's Trick-Taking Table on YouTube:
A trick-taker where you try to control the best areas in ancient Japan!
BGG Link: https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/180901/joraku
Links: https://linktr.ee/Tropicana55
Table of Contents:
Intro - (0:00)
Hook - (3:05)
Deck Makeup - (3:49)
Setup - (3:57)
How to Win - (4:55)
Trick-Taking Gameplay - (5:03)
Winning a Trick Gameplay - (5:57)
Area Control Gameplay - (7:03)
Final Thoughts - (10:42)
Final Thoughts (Designer Thoughts) - (12:47)
Final Thoughts (High and Low Cards) - (16:10)
Final Thoughts Summary - (19:03)
Mostly reviews. Joraku is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 24 reviews, 4 how-to-play guides, 2 recorded sessions, 3 unboxings, and 2 other videos.
3 - 4 players
30 - 60 min
Medium weight: Teach it in one sitting
About Joraku, from BoardGameGeek:
Joraku is an ancient Japanese word commonly used before the Edo period which means “Going to Kyoto”.
Specifically, during the Sengoku period, Joraku refers to the act of local warlords, the Daimyo, marching their armies toward Kyoto to "protect the Shogun and Emperor from other rogue lords" and ultimately rule in their place.
Onward to Kyoto! Take command of your army, and defeat every Daimyo blocking the way! March on! To victory! March on! Kachidoki!
Joraku is a trick-taking area control game. Outwit your opponents with tactical card play, use your loyal Samurais to bid control of areas and build prestige. Only the Daimyo with the highest reputation and the biggest stick can rule Japan!
Round Overview
Recruit Phase
Draw new hand of 5(6) skirmish cards in a 4(3) player game.
Pass 2 cards to the left simultaneously.
Skirmish Phase
Each player plays 1 card and resolves it.
Check who wins this skirmish.
Pass the Kachidoki card to winner. All players rank influence where the winner's Daimyo token is to gain RP.
Repeat 1~3 until all cards in hand are played.
Prestige Phase:
Rank influence of players in each area, earn Reputation Points based on the score charts on the map.
The game lasts for 3 rounds, and the player with the highest RP wins.
The points given in each area will be different for every round.
Your Samurai cubes will stay on the map between rounds, so plan for the future when you place them.