Tatsumi

The idea for Tatsumi first took shape several years ago, born from a love of flight-based video games like Spyro, Pilotwings 64, and Star Fox— for me there's always been something about the precision, the rhythm, the quiet satisfaction of nailing a perfect path. I wanted to capture that sensation at the table: a game where every movement of your dragon feels intentional and rewarding. Through countless prototypes, playtests, and late-night design sessions, I refined the systems that make up Tatsumi—from the flow of collecting rings to the fine tuning of the dragon scale powers and balancing of the 4 elemental scoring effects.

Over the years, the game has evolved into something that feels both graceful and strategic. The 3D sea board and its fully laid-out rings were designed to keep gameplay smooth and uninterrupted, while asymmetric pairings give experienced players fresh challenges to explore. Every mechanic, layout tweak, and component choice was shaped by that core goal: to make Tatsumi as elegant to play as it is to behold. It’s been a long journey, but I couldn’t be prouder of where it’s landed. If you’d like to learn more about the design process, you can read my full designer diary here: adamsapplegames.com/tatsumi-designer-diary.