Reiner Knizia's Samurai for Windows

Used Reiner Knizia's Samurai for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffAugust 20, 2015

As far as board games adapted for the computer go, this one makes all the right moves. Based on the German game of the same name, Reiner Knizia s Samurai is a PC gem, with attractive graphics, detailed and integrated help, and a natural control system.

In Samurai, you try to gain the most political power among the cities of pre-unification Japan by acquiring support from religious leaders, nobility, and peasants. Players take turns placing influence tiles near cities that affect one or more of the main three groups. Tiles are drawn in random order, so some luck is involved, but strategy rules the day as well-played special tiles generally decide the winner.

Samurai does what every good adapted board game should: teaches new players quickly, speeds up gameplay, adds online play, and maintains the feel of the original game. The lack of a running score is a small annoyance, but a long learning curve ensures strong replay value.

Reiner Knizia's Samurai for Windows

Used Reiner Knizia's Samurai for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 8, 2003

Latest update: August 20, 2015

Version: 1.5.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows NT
Windows 10
Windows XP
Windows 95
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 32,119

Downloads Last Week: 2

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User Reviews

5/5

3 User Votes

Love this game - anyone got an unlock code?
Kenshi777May 5, 2010
Pros
- infinite replayability on multiple maps with random tile draws - multiple viable strategies for victory - competitive AI - multiplayer would be a blast (wish I could unlock it)
Cons
- Klear Games lost the license and stopped selling the unlock codes!!!
Summary
I have tried to locate an unlock code for 4 YEARS since discovering this game. I have contacted Klear Games, Reinier Knizia (in the U.S. and while I lived in Germany through his organization there), and searched the whole internet over - no unlock code to be found, and/or no one willing to provide one. Only Klear Games responded saying they no longer had the license for the game and could not sell me an unlock code, though if I were to obtain one, all functionality would still be enabled. I WILL PAY COLD HARD CASH FOR A WORKING UNLOCK CODE FOR THIS GAME.
Addicting
aljabrSeptember 3, 2007
Pros
When i saw this game it looked lame but when i got into the action i couldn't stop playing! The gameplay is addicting, fun, and needs some brainpower to try and figure out a good strategy.
Cons
Summary
October 1, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary

Developer’s Description

Use influence to gain political power in this turn-based strategy game.

Reiner Knizia's Samurai is a turn - based strategy game of balance and conquest. Set in pre - unification Japan, the objective is to become sovereign by securing influence within three feudal castes through careful placement of your resources, while thwarting your opponents' efforts to do the same. Samurai is an adaptation of the traditional board game of the same name. Although all the computer game design and interface elements are original, the fundamental gameplay rules and strategy are true to the board game.