Kiri-ai: The Duel

Kiri-ai: The Duel is a two-player microgame that turns a narrow battlefield and a few action cards into a tense samurai standoff. Each player secretly programs two cards, then both reveal and resolve the first actions before doing the same with the second. Movement has priority over attacks, so an approach, retreat, charge, or stance change can carry a fighter into or out of a strike. High and low attacks require the correct Heaven or Earth stance; a balanced strike works at close range, and a once-per-game special attack can break expectations. The second programmed card is unavailable for one round, creating a small but important memory game. A first hit flips the samurai to the wounded side and a second ends the duel, making every feint and prediction matter.