Tak Companion Book

by James Ernest, Patrick Rothfuss

Tak: A Beautiful Game is a new 2-player abstract strategy game invented by James Ernest of Cheapass Games and Patrick Rothfuss. It was introduced in Pat's book The Wise Man's Fear.

The companion book, tentatively titled Tak: A Beautiful Game, is written by James and Pat, and illustrated by Nate Taylor. This book will touch on the game's origins, and will explain the ancestry and meaning of various types of pieces. It will also contain an expanded rules section describing regional game variations, as well as strategy hints and terms for various plays and combinations, plus a lot of extra goodies.

The book is available in hardcover and e-book formats.

The hardcover format is 8.5" square and will feature a 5x5 hybrid game board (diamonds and squares) on the back cover, designed by Pete Venters. It's a great addition to the Tavern Set, making it easy to take Tak wherever you go!

Genres: Fantasy, Games, Gaming

60 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of the game of Tak, both fantastic & real, as featured in the novel, The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. I am impressed by how much thought and creativity went into this. The illustrations are quite lovely, and I could almost believe that the sections written about the fictional history of Tak, its strategies, terminology, variations & antecedents could have been written by a scholar on the subject. The section on Tak hustlers gave me particular joy. And the fact that the book is sprinkled with references to Rothfuss's fantasy world actually makes his story richer. Most of all, the Ballad of Teni Meren by Molly Lewis was an unexpected treat.

But more than just a history in the world. It is also a history of how this came to exist in *our* world. Rothfuss delighted me with his self admitted curmudgeonly nature at the suggestion that this game should be created. And though I had heard him speak before of how it came to pass, reading it once more lessened my enjoyment of the story not one iota.

And beyond all of this, the book is an instruction manual. It lays out the rules of Tak and gives puzzles and strategies to help the beginner. The game seems straightforward enough, and the puzzles revealed depths to the game beyond my initial impressions.

Now, I just need to find someone to play with.

[Matt Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't back Tak. It's one of those games that shouldn't work, that shouldn't accomplish the high standards Patrick Rothfuss has for it, that should not be so engaging. And yet, in the past week, I have become totally obsessed with this game. It's beautiful, elegant, simple, and deeply complex. It's rich with nuance, strategy, and possibility.

This book is no different. Really, all this had to be was an extended rule book, but Rothfuss and Ernest develop a mini anthropological history of Tak, developing antecedents and possible offshoots of their really cool game. And those are fun. Sure, I'm probably never going to play Kean or Locke, but it's nice to be able to if I ever feel like Tak is falling out of style (which it won't).

But the coolest thing, as ever, is seeing Rothfuss's specific worldview come out. His discussion of the philosophy of a beautiful game as a game that allows players to undo moves and where it's not about winning and who has the power in a situation that allows people to undo moves is classic Rothfuss. It's the sort of nice philosophy and deep appreciation for thinking that goes beyond the superficial and into something more spiritual that makes this book really sing.

And it's got a Tak board on the back. Which is wonderful.

[Marcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good explanation of the game, and a delightful little bit of fiction from the viewpoint of Patrick Rothfuss' books about the variants of games that led to Tak as a boardgame within that world.

If you're a fan of abstract boardgames, and would like to find an alternative to chess and go, Tak is a great addition to our gaming world. And this companion book is a great way to learn about the game and its fictional history, which includes rules for other games played with Tak-pieces.

Also join us over at playtak.com to see how the game is played.

[Tomáš · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bok includes detail about TAK origins and it fits into The Kingkiller Chronicle universe The Wise Man's Fear. Personally, I carry TAK sack with me everywhere because I play with friends of mine often.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tak is a really good and interesting game, easy to learn but lots of depth. Ernest has done a solid job on turning a game from Patrick Rothfuss's excellent fantasy world into an actual playable game. Rothfuss adds story background and anecdotes, and the book includes rules for earlier games that influenced Tak. Cool. Check it and the game out.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Patrick Rothfuss thing I've ever read. If the main story from which Tak is pulled is even half as detailed as the "History" tract that's in here I need to get on reading that.

[Lou Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hoot and quite helpful in helping me come somewhere close to competing with no. 3 son on an equal footing!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says on the cover, teaches you the basic rules of Tak, a game from the world of Pat Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles. Also includes an in-world history of the game, so you get peek at the level of world building that has gone into the main books.

[William Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great companion book to Tak, and also gives several variations on the rules and some strategy. It also includes an in-world essay about Tak and its influences, including some of the history of the Four Corners. The book ends with some Tak puzzles and rules to two other games that can use the same board.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Kickstarted the Tak boardgame, which was created by James Earnst based on a game that hitherto existed only fictionally in the fantasy world of Patrick Rothfuss's Wise Man's Fear. Tak was supposed to be that world's equivalent of chess or go - an ancient game of deep strategy. Rothfuss never developed actual rules for the game, and had to be talked into letting James Earnst try to make a real game out of it.

Well, the Kickstarter was a success, owing to Rothfuss's huge number of fans, and as part of my pledge, I not only got a copy of the game, but this companion book, which includes a fictional history of Tak, some of its fictional predecessor game, and some puzzles and strategy guides.

I like the game itself - it's a fun abstract game, and while I'm not sure it has quite the timeless elegance of chess or go, it is believable as a game that on another world might occupy a similar niche.

This companion adds depth to the game for Rothfuss fans, and as much of it is written in the tone of a scholar at the University (where readers will recall Kvothe attended), it is amusing for the way the author takes shots at his academic rivals, slurs the lower classes, and pontificates about "proper" Tak play.

It's not a deep book and being that Tak is newly invented, it's not a deep strategy guide either. (I found mistakes in at least two of the puzzles.) But it is a nice bonus for the Kickstarter backers. You certainly don't need it to play the game, but if you like the game and Patrick Rothfuss's books, pick it up if you get a chance as a novelty item.

[Glenn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun little add on about the game of TAK. Liked the alternate rules to 2 other games in the book.

[Richard Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I backed the kickstarter and have now read the book.

I don't know if I'll ever play many games of Tak but I enjoyed the tidbits that were concocted about it and have been recorded here.