SEED GAME#1277 BGG all-time

Mottainai(2015)

★ 7.0 BGG2–5 players15 minWeight 3.17
FollowHand ManagementMulti-Use Cards

Games like Mottainai

Looking for games like Mottainai? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on cards that force hard choices because each one can do more than one job and the chase to complete the right combinations. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Glory to Rome(2005)

★ 7.52–5 players60 minWeight 2.9
ISO Match
73/100

Shares Follow + 4 more

End Game BonusesFollowHand Management

San Juan (Second Edition)(2014)

★ 7.42–4 players45 minWeight 2.1
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Follow + 4 more

Action DraftingFollowHand Management

Race for the Galaxy(2007)

★ 7.72–4 players30 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Follow + 3 more

End Game BonusesFollowHand Management

Uchronia(2012)

★ 6.52–5 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Follow + 4 more

FollowHand ManagementMelding and Splaying

The Barracks Emperors(2023)

★ 7.21–4 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementOpen DraftingSet Collection

Alien Artifacts(2017)

★ 6.52–5 playersWeight 2.9
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementOpen DraftingSet Collection

Innovation Ultimate(2025)

★ 8.52–5 players30 minWeight 3.2
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Follow + 2 more

FollowHand ManagementLayering

51st State: Master Set(2016)

★ 7.51–4 players60 minWeight 2.9
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementMulti-Use CardsOpen Drafting

Distilled(2023)

★ 7.81–5 players30 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Hand Management + 1 more

Hand ManagementIncomeMarket

Reforest(2024)

★ 7.41–4 playersWeight 2.6
ISO Match
61/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementMulti-Use CardsOpen Drafting

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition(2021)

★ 7.61–4 players45 minWeight 2.9
ISO Match
60/100

Shares Follow + 4 more

End Game BonusesFollowHand Management

Pantheon(2011)

★ 6.72–4 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
60/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementNetwork and Route BuildingOpen Drafting

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