Mahjong Hanjouki is a puzzle game set in ancient China, where players take on the role of a mahjong player trying to clear their table by forming sets and runs. The story revolves around a mysterious opponent who challenges the protagonist to a mahjong match, with the winner claiming the right to continue playing.
Gameplay involves matching tiles to form valid sets and runs, with the goal of clearing the table before the opponent does. Players can swap two tiles at a time, and some tiles have special abilities that can help or hinder their progress. The game requires strategic thinking and planning ahead, as players need to think about which tiles to hold onto and when to discard them.