Steal the loooooot! (Munchkin)

Name: Donnabroom

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Product:	Munchkin
Date:	07.09.07 (201 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to play, tons of fun!

Disadvantages: None.

I've been a fan of fantasy role-play, (it's not as naughty as it sounds, you play fantasy characters in a quest made up by the Dungeon Master, (DM)), for years now and although role-playing is fun it can be a pain in the bum having to create a character, (a process that can take endless hours), before the fun can begin. There is also a lot of time spent for the person who is creating the adventure. Sometimes you can't be bothered but you still want to play. Munchkin is the perfect solution to this problem.

(Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Role-playing for more information on role-playing games, (RPGs)).

~~~~~ What is Munchkin? ~~~~~

Munchkin is a card game based on a cliché of fantasy role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. The game is produced by Steve Jackson Games, (SJG), (http://www.sjgames.com/munchkin/game/). Steve Jackson is something of a hero in Role-playing circles as the man responsible for a game called GURPS which generic RPG rules set which lets you use the same rules for different settings making things, (in principle), simpler. (Check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jackson_%28US%29 for more information).

~~~~~ What do I get for my Money? ~~~~~~

You get a rather sturdy sandy coloured box with all he usual pictures etc adorning it. The box is fairly important with a game as it gets a lot of use and if it is not sturdy enough the corners will get crushed and it will start to fall apart. Luckily the Munchkin box is thick enough and well made so this shouldn't be a problem unless some big-footed oaf should happen to stand it!

You also get 168 cards. These cards include "Race Cards", such as Elf, Dwarf and Halfling. The race cards represent your "characters" race and each race had its own strength and weaknesses, luckily each card is self-explanatory so once you've picked up the basic rules you can play with no real; trouble. You also get "Class Cards" like "Thief" and "Cleric"; these represent the job that your character does. Each class has special abilities such as being able to "backstab" your friends! Then there are the "Monster Cards", these are the bad-guys that your character gets to fight to earn treasure and "Level Up". Lastly you get "Treasure Cards" which are the loot you win for defeating monsters. They include things like weapons, armour and potions.

The cards all have really cool illustrations by John Kovalic, (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kovalic), who has illustrated many games in this genre and who has also made comics and games of his own.

Obviously you get a rules sheet as well. The rules sheet is an A4 leaflet really with four pages so it really doesn't take long to read and start playing.

~~~~~ Will I need anything else to play? ~~~~~

You will need some kind of counter to mark what level you are at. You start at level 1 and the winner is the first to get to 10, (obviously you can up that if you wish to lengthen the game - we quite often play to 15 or 20). The easiest way is to use 10 or 20 sided dice, (called d10 or d20), if you have any of these around. (If you don't but you want some many games shops sell them and eBay tends to have loads for sale. They cost from about 30p each depending on size, colour and pattern).

Obviously you can use anything, like matchsticks, pebbles etc so you should be able to find something lying around!

~~~~~ What's the aim of the Game? ~~~~~

Basically you need to get to level 10 by any means necessary. Fight monsters, play cards, steal from your buddies and basically play dirty until you emerge victorious. In the rules it says its fine to cheat until someone catches you. Once caught though you have to own up and stop it!

The rules are so simple and easy to pick up that after a few turns you will be playing the game as if you've been playing it years. I guess if you've never played any fantasy RPGs or card games before it may take a little longer to get but it really isn't complicated so no previous experience is necessary.

~~~~~ How much does it cost and where can I get it? ~~~~~

On eBay the game will set you back between £12 and £18 including postage. Amazon has it from £8.05.

~~~~~ What do I think of it? ~~~~~

I love Munchkin, it is simple quick to set up, (literally a couple of minutes), and a great laugh. You get to play naughty which usually isn't allowed in games and you'll be surprised at just how under-handed and competitive you'll actually get! I think it's a great way to release a little bit of your darker side and have a good time doing it.

You can get expansion sets for Munchkin too, which are basically new cards that you add to the basic game. This improves the game and let's you fight new monsters and get new treasures.

All in all this the perfect game for lazy role-players and a great way to spend a few hours relaxing with friends. A warning though, this game does bring out your inner Munchkin and you may find yourself getting very competitive. A few card throwing and foot stamping incidents have occurred with bad losers in the past! The game can go on for a while too with every body trying to stop everybody else winning.

Summary: A card game by SJ Games.