The premise of Mad Scientist University is simple. Everyone takes the part of a mad scientist trying to achieve a particular end with unusual ingredients. It’s a simple concept that instantly captured my imagination. Unfortunately nothing much has been done to develop that into anything more than a simple party game. The rules are so brief that they are written on the back of the box – there is no insert inside. Each player takes it in turns to be the ‘TA’ (Teaching Assistant) who draws an objective card at random. This is what the other players are attempting to do, and could be anything from taking over the world to curing the common cold. The other players each receive an unstable element card, which is an ingredient that they must use to achieve their plans. These are just as crazy. Some examples include Squirrels, Lawn Gnomes and Marshmallows. The TA then awards a point to the person who comes up with the plan they like the most. The next player then becomes the new TA and play continues. And that is the game, in its entirety. No clever rules, no special cards, nothing.
Now, I actually enjoy this kind of game anyway. It’s on a level of complexity similar to popular party games like Consequences or Charades. It encourages creativity and humour, which is good. My major complaints are twofold. Firstly, since scoring is based on a revolving judge position, the game is very open to tactical voting. The TA could award the round to whoever has the least points so far in order to increase his chances of winning. It also leaves the game open to squabbling and petty rivalries. This is even emphasised in the rules, and it is suggested that the TA might award the prize to whoever offers the best bribe! This would seem to suggest that the game isn’t meant to be taken seriously, but beggars the question “why score at all if it’s so arbitrary?” My second complaint is that I could replicate the entire game very, very, very easily with a sheet of scrap paper and a few pens. The cards, while attractive, thematic and interestingly illustrated, could easily be created beforehand by anyone with a modicum of imagination in practically no time. Since the goal cards contain simple phrases only a few words long, and many of the unstable element cards are only one or two words long, it doesn’t take long to set up your own version of the game. All you’re paying for is the concept and some pre-made idea cards.
Having said this, the game itself can be a lot of fun so long as you’re amongst close friends who don’t really care what the score at the end is. It’s a lot of fun coming up with ideas on how to destroy the moon using toasters, and it’s a game that can be played almost instantly even with people who’ve never played before. The cards are of a decent quality, with interesting blueprint-style art that, while minimalist, manages to set the scene nicely. It’s a well-made product and it is fun to play. It’s just severely lacking in any kind of depth and the box contains nothing you couldn’t improvise in a matter of minutes.
The box contains approximately 125 Unstable Element cards and 42 Insane Assignment cards, at a rough count-through, so at least there's plenty of content. However the game isn't cheap at a little shy of $25, and why pay for something you could so easily make yourself as and when you require it?
