Wouter & Ymke 
In the world of board games, not every publisher is busy creating vast fantasy worlds or narrative adventures. Some specialise in something quite different: precision. Games where a handful of pieces and a few simple actions are enough to offer a deep, strategic experience. Cosmoludo is one of those publishers.
Over the past few years, they have steadily built a catalogue of modern abstract games, all focused on clarity, tension, and tactical depth. No unnecessary complications, just thoughtful design and pure competition. Their latest release, Oxono, fits perfectly into that tradition. It is a two-player game of movement and placement that feels both elegant and quietly intense.
👥 2 players, ages 8+
⌛ Playing time: 15 minutes
📝 Designer: Jérémy Partinico
🎨 Artwork: Tom Delahaye
🏢 Publisher: Cosmoludo (review copy provided)
Gameplay Overview
Oxono is played on a 6×6 board. At the start of the game, two neutral totems — one marked X, the other O — are placed randomly somewhere near the centre. Each player chooses a colour, pink or black, and takes 16 pieces: eight marked with X, and eight marked with O.
The objective is simple on paper: align four pieces either horizontally or vertically. You can win by aligning four pieces of your colour, or four pieces with the same symbol. It sounds straightforward, but naturally, the totems make sure it’s anything but easy. They don’t count towards winning combinations themselves, but they will very much determine how the game plays out.
On your turn, you must first move one of the totems. You can move it as far as you like along a row or a column, but you cannot jump over other pieces or pass through the other totem. Then, you must place one of your own pieces, matching the symbol of the totem you moved, onto a free square adjacent to its new position. Only horizontal and vertical placements are allowed; diagonals are off-limits.
An important restriction to remember: you can only move a totem if you still have matching pieces left. If you have no X pieces remaining, for example, you cannot move the X totem anymore. It is a small rule, but it can catch you out if you are not careful.
There are special rules for when totems become surrounded. If a totem has no adjacent empty spaces, it can jump over one or more neighbouring pieces to reach the next available space. If it moves from one surrounded position to another, you are allowed to place your piece anywhere on the board. And if a totem is completely trapped in both its row and its column, you may move it freely to any empty square.
Victory is immediate when a player completes a four-in-a-row, either by colour or by symbol.
Our Thoughts
We found Oxono to be a real treat for players who enjoy thoughtful, abstract games. It offers no luck, no hidden information, and very little forgiveness. Success comes from planning ahead, adapting quickly, and sometimes forcing your opponent into an uncomfortable corner.
The presentation is striking but balanced. While many abstract games stick to classic black and white, Oxono brings in a bit of extra energy with its neon accents. The players’ pieces themselves, in pink and black, keep the overall look clean and modern without becoming overwhelming. Personally, I find the combination refreshing. It feels a little more lively, without losing the elegance that an abstract game should have.
Oxono is especially well suited for competitive two-player matches. A full game usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes, making it ideal for rematches, short tournament sessions, or simply a relaxed evening where you might play several games in a row.
Strategically, it quickly becomes clear that success is not just about building your own winning formation, but also about restricting your opponent’s options. Mastering the movement of the totems is essential. Sometimes the best move is less about your own immediate progress and more about making life awkward for your opponent. And you need to manage your supply of pieces carefully; running out of a particular symbol at the wrong moment can leave you without good options, and probably with a slightly bitter smile.
One of my favourite aspects of Oxono is the psychological side of the game. Sometimes you can set a little trap, making a tempting move that your opponent might not be able to resist, only for you to turn the situation to your advantage immediately after. Depending on how sharp your opponent is (or how distracted they are), this can be wonderfully satisfying. Although, if they spot it instantly, you might find yourself mumbling something about “testing their attention” instead.
The pacing of the game is very enjoyable. Early on, the board feels open and full of potential. You can develop a few ideas without too much pressure. But as the game progresses and the spaces fill up, the tension builds. Every move matters more, and small mistakes become much harder to recover from. Oxono rewards players who know when to attack and when to defend, switching gears smoothly as the situation demands. If you want to try Oxono for yourself before picking up a copy, you can also play it online on Board Game Arena.
If you enjoy quick, clever, abstract games that feel deeper with every play, Oxono is definitely worth your attention. And if not, at least you’ll be losing in style, with a flash of neon to light the way.
📝 We received a copy of Oxono from Cosmoludo for this review.
