Goninkan

Goninkan is a five-player trick-taking card game from the Tsugaru region of Japan. Each round, players are divided into two teams: the player with the trump Ace and the player with the Joker become the Insiders, while the other three are the Outsiders. The teams compete to capture picture cards—J, Q, K and A—and the number needed to win changes from round to round. A set lasts up to three rounds.

How to play

The two Insiders decide who leads the first trick by calling “Koi” or “Iku.” If you cannot follow suit, you can play a trump card to cut the trick; playing the Joker is called “dancing.” Players can also make major swings by capturing all 16 picture cards with “Juroku,” or leaving the opposing team with none using “Sukonku.”

Game modes

• Standard Play: choose your CPU opponents and play at your own pace under the normal rules.
• Time Attack: face Koharu, the strongest CPU opponent, and race to 50 points.
• Daily Challenge: play three sets using the same hands as everyone else, determined by the date.
• Score Attack: play six sets and aim for the highest total score.

Opponents and practice

A tutorial explains the rules and includes a guided practice game. You can play against five CPU opponents with different personalities and skill levels, from Sora, who chooses moves purely at random, to Koharu, who looks ahead by simulating play.

Achievements

The game includes 20 Steam achievements.