
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Kami-sama: Spirit Way
- 2–4 players
- 60–90 min
- 2018

2018
Rules assistance for Kami-sama
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kami-sama is a board game released in 2018 for 2–4 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by AJ Lambeth and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Take That, and Area Majority / Influence.
A gentle breeze… The soothing sounds of a flowing river... The glow of the moon... A bountiful harvest… Fear... Rage… and even death. Each of these forces affect the world around us and are in fact personified by a spirit. These Kami work together to form the natural order of things, but each aspires for influence over those that worship them. Kami-sama is a beautiful and intuitive strategy game set in rural Japan during the Edo period. You assume the role of one of the many Kami, the spirits of the land. Using a combination of asymmetrical powers, area control, set collection, pattern building, and light card drafting, you will work to balance your Favor with the people and your connection to Nature in order to be crowned Kami-sama, the chief deity of the land. Key Points - Beautiful and intense area control game with set collection and light card drafting. - Asymmetric Kami abilities allow you to play with a different strategy and tactics every game! - Unique rotating board and elegant gameplay.
Kami-sama supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Kami-sama is 60–90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Kami-sama for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Kami-sama has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Kami-sama belongs to these categories: Territory Building and Mythology. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Take That, and Area Majority / Influence. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Kami-sama are: AJ Lambeth. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Kami-sama as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.