Kano: Become the Master of the Emakimono

Published by Matagot, Kano invites players to immerse themselves in traditional Japanese art to create their own Emakimono (a narrative painted handscroll). Featuring the stunning illustrations of Jun Sato, this title promises an experience that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is strategically deep.

The Concept: Art at Your Fingertips

In Kano, 2 to 4 artists compete to compose the most beautiful scroll. The game elegantly blends tactical resource management with spatial optimization. To succeed, you must navigate a shared central mat to collect the pigments needed for your masterpieces.

Gameplay Mechanics: Precision and Patience

The gameplay stands out with rules that require meticulous planning:

• Manipulate the Palette: Players may swap adjacent paint pots on the central mat to set up the perfect move.

• Pigment Collection: You must take at least one paint pot, but may take several if they are the same color and adjacent in a single row or column.

• The Rule of Gravity: This is where the spatial challenge intensifies. Once collected, pots “fall” to the lowest available space on your board. You must anticipate the order of your picks to form specific patterns.

• The “Dry Paint” Limit: Efficiency is key. If you end a turn with more than four visible paint pots on your board, the excess must be converted into “Cloud” tiles, which occupy space without scoring points.

Achieving Prestige

The ultimate goal is to replace your paint pots with beautiful Artwork Tiles. Points are awarded based on several criteria:

1. Standard Artworks: Larger pieces earn higher scores (e.g., 7 points for a 3-space artwork).

2. Personal Masterpieces: Secret cards offer lucrative objectives worth 12 points.

3. The Shogun’s Demands: Shifting common objectives (Red and White sheets) force artists to adapt their style in every game.

Technical Specifications

Conclusion:

Kano appears to be an ideal choice for players who enjoy “abstract” yet thematic games, reminiscent of classics like Azul in its placement management, while offering its own tactical depth through the gravity mechanic and varied objectives. Get your brushes ready; the competition is set to be colorful!