This is a review of Titan: the Arena. This game has been reprinted by FFG, but I prefer the origional version with only 8 monsters. PLyaers take the part of fans in the arena and place wagers on the monsters fighting in out on the arena floor. Each round one monster is killed off and play continues until only 3 monsters survive. The player with the most successful wagers wins.

Components: (8/10)

The game comes with 25 betting tokens (plastic poker chips) in 5 colors (Red, Blue, Black, Yellow and White). It includes 8 monster cards used to organize the cards played for each monster. It also comes with 11 cards (power level 0-10) for each of the eight monsters. These cards all match the background color of the monster as well as contain a sumary of that monsters power for easy reference. There are also 11 Void (wild card) power cards that may be played on any monster. The deck also includes 2 referee and 1 head referee cards.

Rules: (7.5)

The rule book is a little rough and could stand to have a few more examples. But after an intial read and maybe a brief refence during the first game players will almost never need to refer back to them again.

Gameplay: (8.5/10)

Play is broken up into rounds. Any given round will last until each monster left alive has a power card in play for that round and there
is no tie for lowerst power card. The monster with the lowest power card is killed (flip over the monster) and discard any bets placed on that monster in any round.

During a players turn they may place one bet on a monster that does not already have a bet placed against it this round. Then they may play card from thier hand. Then they can draw back up to eight cards.

Also if this is the first round a player may place a secret bet. To do so a player places a power card face down and places one of thier colored markers on it. This bet will be worth 5 points if the monster survives to the end. All other bets are worth points based on the round they were placed in. (4 in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd...etc). Bets played in the final round are worth nothing.

Bets become important not only for deciding a winner of the game, but also for determing the backer of a monster. This is the player that has the highest total worth of wagers on the given monster. This player may use the monsters special ability when they play non-void power cards on that monster. At any time in the game a player may reveal or be forced to reveal thier secret bet and may result in a new player becoming the backer of a monster.

Special Abilities:
Titan : You may take three cards from any opponent and return two.
Cyclops: Force one opponent to play with only 1/2 thier cards next round
Hydra: You may play another card this round.
Unicorn: You may any two visible cards of any monster.
Ranger: You may draw three cards.
Troll: You may take any visible troll card into your hand.
Dragon: You may discard any visible card.
Warlock: You may discard up to three cards from you hand.

These abilities can be combined in a single turn if you are the back of both monsters. For example playing a card on the hydra and using its ability to then play a card on the dragon and discard any visible card.


Overall: (8/10)

After more a few dozen plays this still remains one of my favorite light beer and pretzels games. It provides a nice fast paced game with just the right level of stategy and luck. I have taught this game to several non-gamers and everytime they have asked to play it the next time I see them.