Hanami Review | Better Than Samurai or Just a Pretty Upgrade?

Today we’re taking a look at Hanami, a beautifully reimagined area control game inspired by Reiner Knizia’s classic Samurai. In this video, Will and Sara break down how the game plays, what makes it different from the original, and whether this cherry blossom-themed experience is worth adding to your collection. Published by EmperorS4 (QI Master Games), Hanami brings players into a peaceful Japanese setting where you’ll compete to claim the best picnic spots, enjoy festivals, and earn the most influence across the board. But don’t let the relaxing theme fool you—this game still delivers tight, strategic gameplay with clever tile placement, tough decisions, and plenty of player interaction. If you enjoy area control games with elegant mechanics, beautiful presentation, and a mix of strategy and tension, Hanami is definitely worth checking out. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:03 Overview & Credits 00:14 Theme & Setting 00:35 Game Setup 01:03 Core Gameplay & Tile Placement 01:21 Influence & Scoring Explained 01:39 Strategy & Limited Resources 02:19 Special Tiles Overview 02:22 Boat Tiles Explained 02:55 Lucky Cat Tiles & Abilities 03:23 Bullet Train & Multi-Tile Turns 03:42 Copy & Airplane Tiles 04:19 Scoring System & Trophies 05:00 Tie Mechanics & Endgame Strategy 05:39 Theme vs Samurai Comparison 06:03 2 Player vs Higher Player Counts 07:16 Game End Conditions 08:09 Player Abilities & Powers 08:42 Final Thoughts If you enjoyed this review, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 for more board game reviews every week! Learn more about the game here: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/450860/hanami And learn more about us at: https://TantrumHouse.com #hanami #boardgamereview #tabletopgames #boardgames #strategygames #gamenight #boardgamecommunity #tabletopgaming #familygames #NewBoardGames