Rising Sun
- Designer Eric M. Lang
- Publisher CMON Global Limited , Guillotine Games , ADC Blackfire Entertainment , Arclight Games , asmodee
- Illustration Adrian Smith
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
You lead a clan across seasons to gain Victory Points by securing influence, winning battles, and fulfilling political mandates. The game blends Action Drafting, Alliances and Area Majority with sealed-bid auctions and bluffing; Honor and godly worship shape outcomes. Negotiation, temporary alliances and breaking deals are core—players can make non-binding agreements at any time. Clan abilities and seasonal changes add strategic variety.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced gamers (gamer to expert level); min age 14 and about 120 minutes per game make it suited to groups comfortable with long, interactive sessions. It rewards players who enjoy diplomacy, negotiation and social bluffing. Newcomers to area-control diplomacy may need a few games to get accustomed.
How It Works
Each player chooses a clan with unique abilities and competes over several seasons for control of provinces. Key mechanics include Action Drafting, Alliances and Area Majority/Influence, with Area Movement, sealed-bid Auction and Betting/Bluffing also present. Players negotiate, form and dissolve alliances, place figures and resolve battles where Honor often serves as tiebreaker. Political mandates and worship actions affect options each season.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Eric M. Lang; Rising Sun mixes diplomacy and miniatures-led area control in a samurai theme. It received multiple Golden Geek nominations in 2018 (including Best Strategy, Best Thematic, Artwork & Presentation) and won the 2018 RPC Fantasy Award Tabletop & Miniatures Game. The interplay of alliances and secret bids sets it apart from pure war or pure negotiation games.
Awards
2018
- 2018 Lys Passioné — Finalist
- 2018 RPC Fantasy Award Tabletop & Miniatures Game — Winner
Pro
- High player interaction through negotiation and alliance mechanics
- Strong thematic integration of Honor and gods
- Varied clan abilities provide different strategic paths
- Multiple Golden Geek nominations (2018) and RPC Fantasy Award winner
Contra
- Long playtime (~120 minutes) requires commitment
- Minimum 3 players; no solo option
- High social demand can frustrate players who avoid negotiation
Setting & Atmosphäre
Legendary Nippon with Kami and samurai clans; themes are honor, godly influence and clan rivalry across multiple provinces. Mythological and political elements define the setting.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on core concepts—Area Majority and Honor—and engage in selective negotiations; alliances are powerful but non-binding.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No. Player count is 3–5; there is no solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
Listed duration is about 120 minutes; explaining rules and negotiations can extend playtime.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with area-control and negotiation/conflict mechanics is useful; the game suits experienced groups.
How does this compare to similar games?
Rising Sun combines alliances and secret bids with area-majority, making it more socially interactive than many straight war or area-control titles.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 14 and significant negotiation and length, it's less suitable as a family gateway game.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of Alliances, Action Drafting and Betting/Bluffing defines its gameplay identity.
Fazit
Great for groups that enjoy heavy player interaction and negotiation; best at 3–5 players who like extended, social sessions. Not ideal for players seeking short, solitary Euro-style games.
