A closer look at the mechanics

Daitoshi has that smooth euro structure: there are no rounds, you just keep taking turns in clockwise order until the game ends, always choosing 1 of 2 things to do. Don't worry, while 2 options sound few, they both have some layers to them so it's not so simple. 😉

⚙️First, you can choose to do a Production turn, activating your factories. An important detail is that other players get to do it too, however you will get additional bonuses. Player boards show 3 factory buildings 🏭 and you can buy inventions for the floors so you get more stuff when you produce. You also have to pay steam according to how many buildings you activate. Additionally, as you use inventions they slowly get upgraded, netting you more bonuses.

🎩The second turn type is moving your Magnate in the city of Daitoshi. As the city itself is a rondel, you can only move 1-2 spaces clockwise or pay steam for additional movement. Wherever you land you get to do multiple things:

👤Activate worker spots if you have matching color workers

🥀Exploit nature by gathering coal and water (and workers). This means you take a specific wilderness hex depending on the district. 

💡Finally, do the specific district action: expand the city with a new district, electrify a district, trade with neighboring cities or develop new inventions for your factories. These all require different resources too.

So deciding where to go has many layers. 👇

❔Where are you on the rondel? What workers do you have? What resources do you have/need? What hexes do you want to avoid getting so you don't get into conflicts with the Yokai? It's not overwhelming, but it keeps you occupied for sure! 😉 There is also the mega-machine with its own worker slot and action, which basically acts like a moving district. 

The exploited wilderness hexes are a clever implementation of the theme, as the industrialization hurts nature. 🌋 If you have 2 of the same hex-type you get a penalty, like worse steam production or less spaces for workers. So you constantly have to look for actions that let you give back to nature to get rid of these hexes. 

You don’t want the world to turn into a huge desert after all!