Onoda is a solo historical board game in which you take on the role of the Japanese soldier Hiroo Onoda, who, after the end of World War II, continued to hold out for another three decades on the Philippine island of Lubang. The game is based on real events and aims to portray Onoda’s long, exhausting, and often tragic solitary survival in the wilderness.
The theme is deeply historical and personal. In the game, you recreate:
- 30 years of Onoda’s hiding on Lubang, filled with dangers, humorous misunderstandings, tragedies, and a strong sense of duty.
- A psychological struggle – paranoia, doubts, loyalty to the mission, and inner conflicts, as Onoda believed the war had never ended.
- Survival in uncertainty, where enemies are often more a result of fear and isolation than real threats.
The game is designed as a solo strategic survival game.
Across six rounds of variable length, you must gather enough resources to survive each round and avoid penalties (health, paranoia, honor). Each round you carry out a mission that grants honor points but requires careful risk and equipment management.
52 events depict historical episodes from Onoda’s time on the island – from dangers to misunderstandings with locals or his own comrades. Three conditions are monitored: paranoia, health, and honor – if paranoia rises too high or health drops to zero, the game ends. The final outcome determines whether you become a hero or a forgotten soldier.
🎴 Onoda is a game that combines historical weight, tense solo mechanics, and an exceptional atmosphere. 🗻
