Bitoku & Expansion Review - Very Rewarding But Even More Complicated

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In Bitoku, the players take on the roles of Bitoku spirits of the forest in their path towards transcendence, with the goal of elevating themselves and becoming the next great spirit of the forest. To do so, they will have the help of the yōkai, the kodamas and the different pilgrims that accompany them on their path. This is a hand-management, engine-building game with multiple paths to victory.
Players will have yōkai represented by the cards that make up their hand, which must be placed in the right places at the right times in order to obtain the maximum benefit from the abilities they offer. Furthermore, during the game players can earn more yōkai cards for their deck, thereby increasing their playing options and achieving a higher score. Each player also has three yōkai guardians (in the form of dice) that they can send to the large regions of the forest on the main board in order to obtain all kinds of new options that they can play during the game. These options can be structures they build in certain areas of the forest, soul crystals that generate resources when certain actions are carried out, and many others as well. The players also have the chance to help the mitamas, lost souls in search of redemption by using the chinkon fireflies.
There is truly a wide range of actions to carry out, and this is without taking into account the personal domain where the players can lay out another layer of additional strategy while managing the pilgrims. Pilgrims are followers of the player who embark upon journeys of contemplation and reflection who then share the experiences and learning they can along the spirit path with the Bitoku.

TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Overview
0:08:10 - What I Like
0:12:25 - What I Don’t Like
0:15:08 - What I Can See Others Not Liking
0:17:03 - Thoughts On Resutoran
0:21:21 - Final Thoughts
0:23:01 - Recommendations

5.0 - My absolutely favorite games. You can pry them out of my cold dead hands.
4.5 - Love this game! At the same time missing something that would make it a 5. Could be hard to table, lacking variability, a little light, etc.
4.0 - Really great game, almost always keeping, although has meaningful complaints as to what takes away from the experience.
3.5 - Really enjoyed, don't love it, may lose out to better games but the idea of never playing again is a bit sad.
3.0 - A good game, would play and suggest with the right people, if I never played it again wouldn't lose any sleep.
2.5 - A game I'd play again , but will never suggest it myself
2.0 - A game I don't want to play again
1.5 - A game I can't find any reason to recommend
1.0 - A game that is just bad.

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[ChewieHuey]

Let's talk about that gorgeous #foldedspace insert.

[est]

I agree 100% with your thoughts. Once you learn it its pretty easy. But the setup and initial teach is too much.

[jtt]

I think this is a fun game if you have consistent players who you don't have to reteach. For instance, my wife and I enjoy this. Basically I had to digest the rules and then shared with her a Nithrania YouTube tutorial video. It's not that complex once you get past the unique terminology.

[AcceberSk]

I would also mention that the solo mode is a beast. I use a fan made app to help me navigate the decision tree.

[Znd]

I agree. Play with expansion its better, and cover the stones and de lakes better. Thanks for the video!

[EdBoardGameFever]

I am curious, you called Bitoku a medium-weight game. When I think medium-weight i think of castles of burgundy, viticulture, architects. What do you consider a heavy euro then?

[successfulgeek]

I really like the core game. Havent looked at the expac at all. Its definitely easier than the rulebook makes it seem but the visual clutter makes it hard to first look at the game and understand it.

[nkorppi]

Played the base game for the first time today. The game felt Way way too light and easy.... Not juicy like Lacerda games.