What game is most like Onitama?

Santorini (2016) is the closest match to Onitama, sharing abstract strategy, ancient, square grid. It rates 7.5/10 on BoardGameGeek.

What should I play if I like Onitama?

Santorini, War Chest, Chess are the top-ranked alternatives to Onitama in the MeeplePick database, matched on medium-light complexity as well as mechanics. All 18 are ranked on this page with the shared mechanics shown for each.

Is Santorini harder than Onitama?

Compared with Onitama, Santorini is same complexity and about the same length (1.7 vs 1.7 complexity on BoardGameGeek's 1–5 scale).

Onitama / Similar games

18 games like Onitama

The best games like Onitama are Santorini, War Chest and Chess — the closest of 18 ranked alternatives, scored by shared mechanics and category. Santorini shares abstract strategy, ancient, square grid with Onitama.

Every alternative below links to its own Onitama-style fact page, drawn from MeeplePick’s abstract strategy / ancient shelf.

Ranked by shared category (3 pts) and mechanics (2 pts), bonus within 0.7 of Onitama’s 1.7 weight, then BoardGameGeek’s Bayesian rating — one entry per series, 18 shown.

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

1. Santorini (2016)
2–4 players · 20 min · ★ 7.5 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Ancient, Square Grid · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · about the same length · same complexity
View Santorini on Amazon →
2. War Chest (2018)
2–4 players · 30 min · ★ 8.0 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Hand Management · 2 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (40%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · ~13 min longer · +0.6 heavier
View War Chest on Amazon →
3. Chess (1475)
2 players · 60 min · ★ 7.1 · Medium-heavy
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Pattern Movement, Square Grid, Static Capture · 4 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (80%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · ~43 min longer · +2 heavier
View Chess on Amazon →
4. The Downfall of Pompeii (2004)
2–4 players · 45 min · ★ 7.1 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Ancient, Grid Movement, Hand Management · 2 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (40%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · ~28 min longer · +0.2 heavier
5. 7 Wonders (2010)
2–7 players · 30 min · ★ 7.8 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Ancient, Hand Management · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 7 · ~13 min longer · +0.6 heavier
6. Qin (2012)
2–4 players · 30 min · ★ 6.8 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Ancient, Hand Management · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · ~13 min longer · +0.3 heavier
7. Fire Tower (2019)
2–4 players · 15–30 min · ★ 7.4 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Square Grid · 3 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (60%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · about the same length · same complexity
8. Patchwork Winter Edition (2014)
2 players · 15–30 min · ★ 7.7 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Square Grid · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · same complexity
9. Vigor Blokus (2005)
2 players · 15 min · ★ 6.8 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Hand Management, Square Grid · 2 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (40%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · same complexity
10. Quoridor Travel (1997)
2–4 players · 15 min · ★ 6.7 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Square Grid · 2 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (40%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · about the same length · +0.2 heavier
11. Feudal (1967)
2–6 players · 90 min · ★ 6.0 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Square Grid, Static Capture · 3 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (60%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 6 · ~73 min longer · +0.6 heavier
12. Inside Moves (1930)
2 players · 15 min · ★ 6.7 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Square Grid, Static Capture · 3 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (60%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · +0.7 heavier
13. Battle Line (2000)
2 players · 30 min · ★ 7.4 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Ancient, Hand Management · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · ~13 min longer · +0.2 heavier
14. Hive (2000)
2 players · 20 min · ★ 7.3 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · +0.6 heavier
15. Abalone Classic (1987)
2 players · 30 min · ★ 6.5 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Static Capture · 2 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (40%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · ~13 min longer · +0.5 heavier
16. Torres (1999)
2–4 players · 60 min · ★ 7.1 · Medium
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Square Grid · 3 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (60%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · scales to 4 · ~43 min longer · +1.2 heavier
17. Jungle King
2 players · 20 min · ★ 6.0 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Grid Movement, Square Grid, Static Capture · 3 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (60%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · same complexity
18. Mandala (2019)
2 players · 20 min · ★ 7.7 · Medium-light
Shares with Onitama: Abstract Strategy, Hand Management · 1 of Onitama’s 5 mechanics (20%)
vs Onitama: both play at 2 · about the same length · same complexity

Check Santorini on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked

What game is most like Onitama?: Santorini (2016) is the closest match to Onitama, sharing abstract strategy, ancient, square grid. It rates 7.5/10 on BoardGameGeek.
What should I play if I like Onitama?: Santorini, War Chest, Chess are the top-ranked alternatives to Onitama in the MeeplePick database, matched on medium-light complexity as well as mechanics. All 18 are ranked on this page with the shared mechanics shown for each.
Is Santorini harder than Onitama?: Compared with Onitama, Santorini is same complexity and about the same length (1.7 vs 1.7 complexity on BoardGameGeek's 1–5 scale).

Narrow it down

best 2-player board games · grid movement games · hand management games · square grid games · static capture games

Looking for the original? See the full Onitama fact page — players, play time, age and complexity.