Description

An Onikuma ("demon bear") is a mythological Japanese monster, originating in the Kiso Valley in Japan's Nagano Prefecture. It is a bear-like creature that is rumored to walk on its hind legs, with enough strength to throw large boulders. Local farmers report sightings of the Onikuma sneaking into villages at night and carrying off livestock for food!

Each player has a hand of cards valued 0-10 (with no 5), that represents a family of bears living in the Japanese mountains. Each turn you will compete to steal food from the local village and score points. At the end of the game the player with the most points wins.

You only play each card once per round - and you must play all of your cards.

Playing a large bear will scare off smaller bears, allowing you to claim more food for yourself. The timing of when you play your cards really matters, as you try and predict what your opponents might do and manage your hand to get an advantage.

The first twist is that the local village have hired some Trappers to protect the village.

When a Trapper is in play, it temporarily changes the win condition for the turn! Now the largest bear(s) played are captured by the Trapper... allowing smaller bears to escape with the food!

The second twist is that if there's ever a bear played which is more than double the value of the next largest bear - it becomes an Onikuma instead!

For example, if a 9 is played and the next highest bear is only a 4 then that 9 becomes an Onikuma!

Nothing can match the power of the Onikuma. If one appears it will take the food and also take the Trapper (which is worth big points)!

Do you play high to try and get an Onikuma and risk getting nothing? Do you play low to keep your cards for a better opportunity later on? Or do you play somewhere in the middle and hope for the best?

The game includes 102 cards in a small box.

—description from the publisher