Skip to main content
Takenoko Game Cover

About

"Takenoko" is a strategy game suitable for 1-4 players, offering local multi-player options including split screen and PvP. The game is based on the popular board game and challenges players to cultivate and irrigate bamboo forests to satisfy a picky imperial panda, while completing objectives to earn the emperor's favor. With simple and tactical gameplay, players must plan and execute their actions carefully to outperform their rivals.

Takenoko screenshot
Takenoko screenshot
Takenoko screenshot
Takenoko screenshot
Takenoko screenshot

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 59 reviews
music4 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions

  • The game features beautiful graphics and animations, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
  • It's a fun and easy-to-understand game, perfect for families and younger players, with a good balance of strategy and luck.
  • The digital adaptation closely follows the rules of the original board game, providing a faithful experience for fans.
  • The AI is often perceived as unfair, consistently drawing the best cards and making the game frustrating for human players.
  • The user interface has significant issues, such as not allowing players to see their cards during others' turns and requiring excessive clicking to confirm actions.
  • The game suffers from technical problems, including crashes and glitches, which can make it unplayable at times.
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its soothing and serene qualities, enhancing the overall ambiance and enjoyment of gameplay. However, some players express frustration with the limited variety, suggesting that repetitive tracks can detract from the experience over time. Overall, while the music complements the game's charm, there is a call for more diverse compositions to maintain player engagement.

    • “Other than that, if you're playing with others or whatever, it's a beautiful game with nice music and it's fun to play when it's balanced.”
    • “The music is cool and of course being able to play against bots is fun and convenient.”
    • “The animations (and sounds) are adorable and the music fits nicely.”
    • “Come on devs; splurge on some more music rights or hire someone to create more songs.”
    • “Hearing the same music over and over and over and over and over... it gets old.”
    • “I want music as it adds to the overall appeal of the game, but not at the expense of my sanity.”
  • graphics
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are consistently praised for being cute, colorful, and visually appealing, contributing to an overall charming and zen-like aesthetic. Reviewers appreciate the quality of the visuals and the neat interface, although some express a desire for options to adjust graphic settings. Overall, the graphics enhance the game's enjoyable and immersive experience.

    • “The graphics are cute, colorful, and easy on the eyes.”
    • “Such a cute, easy-to-play but hard-to-master game with an adorably zen aesthetic.”
    • “However, the graphics are excellent as well as the sound effects.”
    • “No button to play with low graphics; I wonder if I'm playing Takenoko or Zoo Planet.”
  • gameplay
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has received criticism for feeling untested and lacking polish, suggesting that it may not meet player expectations. However, the DLC is noted to enhance the experience by adding complexity, though the base game remains enjoyable on its own.

    • “The game can be enjoyed even without the DLC; it just adds a little complexity, so buy it when you want to expand the gameplay of the base game.”
    • “It's as if no one actually tested how the gameplay is after they developed it.”
    • “The gameplay feels unpolished and lacks the depth that was promised.”
    • “The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating experiences.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect somewhat tedious due to the need for constant confirmation of bot actions, which disrupts the flow of gameplay. Many suggest that allowing actions to proceed at a moderate pace without constant clicks would enhance the experience.

    • “The only slight irritation is the continuous confirmation of the bot's actions; these could just run through at a moderate pace. Clicking to confirm each action and the new bot's turn is tedious.”
    • “Grinding feels like an endless chore, where progress is painfully slow and repetitive.”
    • “The grind is so monotonous that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel more like a job than a hobby.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users feel that the game could benefit from further optimization, suggesting that additional tweaks are needed to enhance performance and overall experience.

    • “Yes, of course! I think if they tweaked it some more and optimized a few things, it would enhance the overall experience.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive; it runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers focused on optimization, making the gameplay fluid and enjoyable.”
    • “Yes, of course, I think if they tweaked it some more and optimized a few things.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers strong replayability due to its random tile draws and the involvement of multiple players controlling the pawns, ensuring a unique experience in each session.

    • “The random tile drawings and multiple players controlling the pawns contribute to excellent replayability.”
    • “Each game feels different due to the variety of strategies and player interactions, making it highly replayable.”
    • “The dynamic gameplay and changing scenarios ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, enhancing replayability.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Despite some frustration with the frequent need to confirm actions, reviewers consistently praise the game's overall atmosphere as engaging and immersive.

    • “The atmosphere of the game is truly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with detail, creating a rich and captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
    • “The combination of music, sound effects, and environmental design creates an unforgettable atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”

Buy Takenoko

Videos

Games Like Takenoko

Terraforming Mars Image
Ticket to Ride Image
Splendor Image
Wingspan Image
Viticulture Essential Edition Image
Small World Image
Carcassonne: Tiles & Tactics Image
Race for the Galaxy Image
Ascension: Deckbuilding Game Image
D&D Lords of Waterdeep Image