The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Munchkin is a game which parodies the most extreme munchkinly style of hack and slash adventuring.

It is a lot of fun, although I have to warn others that it can cause lunchbreaks to go on a little long (not so good in an open plan office)... playing with four, it takes about one and a quarter hours.

Even those who were not hardened ex-D&D players found it a lot of fun.

The rules are deceptively simple - it reads fairly complex on the first run-through, but after a game it all becomes very clear. The turn process is basically: 1: Search a room - turn over a dungeon card for a monster, curse or something to keep in your hand. 2: Either fight the monster or draw another dungeon card to your hand (to play on someone later) 3: Collect your treasure (if applicable)

You need to reach level 10 to win, and gain levels by killing monsters, the odd 'go up a level' card and selling gear.

The game ends up mainly being one of diplomacy - convincing people to help you when it suits you, playing curses on them, and so on.

The cards are hilarious, with the concepts lifted and altered from many recognisable games and Kovalic's illustration working together to make the game enjoyable even if you just look at what's in your hand. I basically bought the game because of the "Curse: Duck of Doom" that is shown on the game's website, and was glad to see that this is far from the funniest or most ludicrous of the things lurking in this dungeon...

On the downside, it's a bit steep for what is essentially just 168 cards (the game also requires a 6-sided die and counters to track level, which aren't included... this seems pretty stingy when you've spent $25 on it). That's about it for the downside, though.

Munchkin
Munchkin Capsule Review by Mike Sands on 14/08/01 Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 4 (Meaty) A very cool and very silly hack and slash fest of carnage and betrayal. Product: Munchkin Author: Steve Jackson, pictures by John Kovalic Category: Card Game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: Cost: $24.95 Page count: Year published: 2001 ISBN: SKU: 1408 Comp copy?: no Capsule Review by Mike Sands on 14/08/01 Genre tags: Fantasy	Munchkin is a game which parodies the most extreme munchkinly style of hack and slash adventuring. It is a lot of fun, although I have to warn others that it can cause lunchbreaks to go on a little long (not so good in an open plan office)... playing with four, it takes about one and a quarter hours. Even those who were not hardened ex-D&D players found it a lot of fun. The rules are deceptively simple - it reads fairly complex on the first run-through, but after a game it all becomes very clear. The turn process is basically: 1: Search a room - turn over a dungeon card for a monster, curse or something to keep in your hand. 2: Either fight the monster or draw another dungeon card to your hand (to play on someone later) 3: Collect your treasure (if applicable) You need to reach level 10 to win, and gain levels by killing monsters, the odd 'go up a level' card and selling gear. The game ends up mainly being one of diplomacy - convincing people to help you when it suits you, playing curses on them, and so on. The cards are hilarious, with the concepts lifted and altered from many recognisable games and Kovalic's illustration working together to make the game enjoyable even if you just look at what's in your hand. I basically bought the game because of the "Curse: Duck of Doom" that is shown on the game's website, and was glad to see that this is far from the funniest or most ludicrous of the things lurking in this dungeon... On the downside, it's a bit steep for what is essentially just 168 cards (the game also requires a 6-sided die and counters to track level, which aren't included... this seems pretty stingy when you've spent $25 on it). That's about it for the downside, though.