| Product: |
Munchkin |
| Date: |
01.04.06 (795 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: A good, well designed multi player game with plenty of laughs.
Disadvantages: None I can think of off the top of my head.
“Munchkin is a tasteless parody game which brings the essence of the dungeon-crawling experience – without all that messy roleplaying”
As the above quote says Munchkin is a card game that pokes fun at the more serious aspects of roleplaying games like dungeons and Dragons.
It involves fighting incredibly stupid monsters (like Stoned Golem, Snails on Speed & Gazebo), or more probably running from them early on, and picking up treasure and items trying to build up your character.
The aim of the game is to reach the magical 10th level before any of the other players do, while at the same time doing your utmost to use the cards in your hand to obstruct your opponents progress, better known in game parlance as ‘stitching ‘em up!’
Starting with the very basics there are two piles of cards on your table. The first one have a dungeon door on its back, to signify the rooms in the dungeon your character is bashing down the door of to explore. These cards show you what you find in the room, whether it is a monster, a trap or treasure just lying around
The second on of cards have a treasure chest on them, which will show you what treasure you may have been lucky enough to find in the room if and when you kill the monster guarding it. The treasure can be spells, items, armour or something that will help you stitch up a fellow player.
Gameplay.
You start off as a 1st level human, your gender based on the players own. During the game you could end up changing gender, will almost certainly become one of the classic fantasy races – Dwarf, Elf, Halfling and gain some class (Warrior, Thief, Wizard or Priest). All of these are likely to change at any time during the game, either through your choice, by misfortune or other players.
Each race or class has its own advantages and disadvantages, deciding what to be at what time is part of the strategy.
The game is that simple to play, you draw a dungeon card and follow the instructions written on it. You may get some treasure to help your character in future fights but you are more likely to end up in a fight.
Like all the best card games Munchkin has very simple rules, leaving the complexities down to the use of the cards and the level of stitching up you do.
Fighting a monster is simple as well, there is no dice throwing and so no luck in winning. A fight is based on your level, plus any bonuses you get from items you are carrying and any additional cards you may lay form your hand to help you, versus the level of the monster, plus any cards the other players may play on it to make it tougher.
The fact that there is no dice roll makes a nice change, it means tactics take a bigger part in the game. This means that a bad die roll cannot scupper a well-formulated strategy!
If you cannot defeat the monster you have two other choices, to either try and run away from it or to get another player to come and help you. If you ask another player then its time to negotiate payment for their help, they will not gain a level if you both succeed in killing it but the treasure is therefore the grabbing!
If you end up losing you have to follow the ‘bad stuff’ listed on the card.
Munchkin is a simple to learn, fast paced game. A fun diversion or interlude form the more serious games being played during a games evening.
Examples of comedy rules:
An example of the comedy style of the game and the rules include: - “Decide who goes first by rolling the die and arguing about the results and the meaning off this sentence and whether the fact that a word seems to be missing any effect”
Also my favourite – “Any disputes should be settled by loud arguments among the players, with the owner of the game having the last word”
Card examples to show the seriousness of the game!
Level 1 monster – Crabs. Bad stuff: Discard armour and all items worn below the waist
Pretty Balloons – Use during combat, for distraction. +5 to either side. (ie adds to your ‘level’ to help defeat a monster or to add to a monster to stitch up the player)
Bribe GM With Food – Go up a level
Cheat – A card that allows you to break the rules of the game officially
There are expansion cards for this game called
Munchkin 2 – Unnatural Axe
Munchkin 3 – Clerical Errors
Munchkin 4 – The Need for Steed
And also other games based around the same rules –
Star Munchkin (Munchkin in Space)
Munchkin Fu (Munchkin Martial Arts)
Munchkin Bites (Munchkin Vampires)
Super Munchkin (Munchkin superheroes)
The two newest games, Bites & Super, are meant to be slightly different rules wise, tweaked a bit, but I have never played either so couldn’t tell you exactly how.
All versions of the game can be mixed and matched if you want to. so you can play with the cards from Munchkin Fu and normal munchkin at the same time, never seen the point of this myself but the game is designed to facilitate this.
There are also also expansion cards for Star, Fu and Bites available.
The Game is made by Steve Jackson Games
Website: sjgames.com
Can be bought online from many places.
Price varying from £4-16. A bit much for what you get but the game is well worth it
My favourite source being from –
Madisongames.co.uk (excellent service and local to me!)
Leisuregames.co.uk are another good source
Amazon.co.uk also sell this game
Summary: irreverant, crazy and just extremely good fun!
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