Episode 07 of the Visual Playthrough, and this one will take more than one person to pull off since we're playing a 1v1 spying game, Shinobi Spy & Supply!
So here's Tas (yours truly) and Mak (waving frantically) playing a few rounds of this card game that is having one heck of a Kickstarter campaign right now.
So here's our game setup, ready for an exciting 20-mins or so of playing Shinobi Spy & Supply. For context, it’s a sneaky little tableau-builder where rival shops sell spy tools to ninja spies while quietly slipping spies into each other’s business.
It's important you folks know which elements are which, so here you go. This game revolves around 3 elements that you're selling to ninja spies: Kunai, Cloth and Kikatsugan.
Let’s begin!
MAK:
Hiya! So in a round you can do either of these 3 actions: draw a card in hand, serve a customer, or spy on your rival shop.
I have this adorable doggo in my hand that I've started my game with, and in front of me in the market is the Black Bear. Now, I need one of each of the 3 elements to serve Black Bear, but right now I only have a Kunai from the doggo. Not enough to serve the bear. Not willing to spy so early on Tas either, wanna focus more on my tableau...
So best if I draw this bear in my hand and see what the market has in the offering. This ain't a sprint! Marathon it is.
TAS:
I can sense what Mak is doing. She's gonna lock in on building her tableau. Not a bad idea, but not my kinda strategy. I'm going to rain spies in her shop!
Right now, the card I have in hand gives me a Kikatsugan, not enough to serve that Kingfisher which needs a Kunai and a Kikatsugan. So I'm short of a Kunai. But I have a plan...
Like I said, I'm gonna rain spies on her tableau, so why wait? The owl she just brought to her market can be the perfect place to start. Turning it into a spy will not only give me points from her tableau at the end of the game, but will also give me resource discounts while serving other customers.
Remember I was short of a Kunai? This spy card will certainly help with that. Am I awesome or what?
Benefits of having a spy
MAK:
That was rash of Tas... or am I being too cautious?
No time to ponder. I have the doggo and the bear in hand, and a ninja catto at the market. Catto needs 2 Kikatsugan, I don't have it. Doggo needs a couple of Cloth, I only have 1 in hand. Bear needs one of each element, don't have them all either. Damn it!
I guess I have no choice but to draw the catto. That way I'm guaranteed to serve a customer in my next round.
TAS:
Remember I mentioned the benefits of having a spy? I'll enjoy one right away. The card in hand will give me a Kikatsugan and the spy will give me a Kunai, enough to serve that feisty Kingfisher! Discarding the card in hand to serve it. Dear customer, welcome aboard!
MAK:
Tas is looking too happy, time to change that. I'm guaranteed to serve a customer this round, the question is who...
I can easily serve the Crane, but it will only give me 1 point per Kikatsugan at the end of the game. Serving the doggo looks promising since I'll be bagging 3 points per Cloth and Kikatsugan. Doggo it is, then!
Discarding the cards for their resources to serve my first customer. And thanks to its special ability, I can draw one card in my hand. Neat!
TAS:
So we're in round 3, with both of us having served a customer each. I have a faint edge having slipped a spy on Mak's tableau. This will help. Unless she finds a way to get rid of it. Gonna be tough, though!
I'm thinking of slipping spies into her tableau any chance I get. Wanna make the most of both our tableau.
MAK:
Spying isn't the only thing in this game. Gotta be really smart with which customers to serve, making the most of their special abilities, and making sure I have enough on my tableau to make the difference.
I also need to watch which cards Tas can’t afford to have as customers. If something looks too useful for him, maybe I turn it into a spy before he serves it. And when the last few rounds hit, I’ll slip spies into his shop when he least expects it.
Who's gonna win?
- Tas & Mak.
PS: Tas won, 39 to 36. Close call!
PPS: You only have a couple of days to back this game on Kickstarter. Here’s the link.
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