- BGG rating
- 8.0
Otaru 1899: Ambitions
2 players2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #18,191
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Otaru 1899
2023
Rules assistance for Otaru 1899
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with saved question history.
Rules assistant for Otaru 1899
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Otaru 1899 is a board game released in 2023 for 2 players, 45–60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Takeo Yamada.
Expansions
Otaru 1899: Solo Play Expansion
1 player45–60 min2024
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About the game
Otaru 1899 is a stand-alone expansion to Sapporo 1876, set in Hokkaido in the late 19th century. You play as a local feudal retainer developing Otaru. For the sake of your clan's reputation, you will hire talented private school students, cultivate farmland, and expand your business. On your turn, you perform one of four actions by moving the action pawn to a different action than the one previously taken. Keep in mind though that your opponent will also perform that action, so deciding when to do what in order to only benefit yourself is key. There are four types of resources in the game; Wheat, Rice, Sheep and Cows. The value of each resource varies depending on the action so resource management is important. Otaru 1899 can be combined with Sapporo 1876 to play up to 4 players. —description from the publisher (translated)
Editions
- Otaru 1899uchibacoya2023
Questions and answers
Otaru 1899 supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Otaru 1899 is 45–60 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 Otaru 1899 for ages 12 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.
Otaru 1899 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.
Otaru 1899 belongs to these categories: Economic. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Otaru 1899 and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Otaru 1899 are: Takeo Yamada. 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 Otaru 1899 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.