- BGG rank
- BGG #1,320
- BGG rating
- 7.0
boop.
- 2 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,500
- BGG rating
- 7.5
SHŌBU
2019
Rules assistance for SHŌBU
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.9/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for SHŌBU
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
SHŌBU is a board game released in 2019 for 2 players, 15–30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Manolis Vranas and Jamie Sajdak and its main mechanics are Square Grid, Grid Movement, and Slide / Push.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,474
- BGG rating
- 7.3
That Time You Killed Me
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,378
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Arimaa
- 2 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,044
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Kamisado
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2008
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,725
- BGG rating
- 7.5
BOOoop.
- 2 players
- 25–35 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,576
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Tamashii: Chronicle of Ascend
- 1–4 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,719
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Robot Quest Arena
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,779
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Robo Rally
- 2–6 players
- 20–120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,963
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Fossilis
- 2–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,843
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Car Wars
- 2–8 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 1981
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Hive Pocket
- 2 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,190
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Abalone
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 1987
About the game
SHOBU is a beautifully crafted abstract strategy game for 2 players. The game features 4 square wood boards (2 of each color) and 16 natural river stones for each player, in two colors, with a rope dividing the play area in half. Your turn is in two parts. First, a player may move one of their stones up to two spaces in any direction, including diagonally, in what is called a passive (or set up) move. Second, they take a more aggressive move, which must be the same direction and number of spaces as the first move. It is this second move that allows you to push stones across the board - or off the board's edge. Remove all four of your opponent's stones from just one of the four boards to win. SHOBU evokes the feeling of GO or CHESS but provides its own unique challenge. It feels immediately familiar and yet is wholly distinct and engaging. -description from publisher
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Smirk & Laughter Games
Questions and answers
SHŌBU 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 SHŌBU is 15–30 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 SHŌBU for ages 8 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.
SHŌBU has a complexity rating of 1.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
SHŌBU belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Square Grid, Grid Movement, and Slide / Push. 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 SHŌBU are: Manolis Vranas and Jamie Sajdak. 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 SHŌBU 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.