Overview:
So you think your the rip-snortin-ist, rootin-tootin-ist, galavantin-ist hombre this side of the Rio Grande? Here's your chance to prove it in the world of Munchkin. All the basics of Munchkin still apply (kill the monsters, steal the treasure, stab your buddy) but now you get to ride off into the sunset when you hit level 10. Yeehaw!!

The Components:
Like other Munchkin base sets, you get 168 cards, one six sided die, and the rules all packaged in the standard Munchkin box size. The quality of the cards is on par with previous sets of Munchkin, which is good thing.

John Kovalic's art does a great job of capturing a Western theme while still expressing that absurd Munchkin flavor we've all come to expect. The visual puns in this set are some of the best in recent memories. My personal favorite is the Go Up a Level card titled "Get a Long Little Doggie" depicting a Dude with a wiener dog.

Component Summary: Another day, another Munchkin. The Steve Jackson Games crew have produced another quality game that is on par with previous releases. It's hard to screw up a winning formula though, right?
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Gameplay:
If you've played Munchkin before, then you won't be surprised by the standard turn phases. You kick open your door, you fight a monster if you find one, you loot the room, and you give charity. The Good, The Bad, and The Munchkin (GBM) utilizes Classes, but no Races/Powers/Loyalties, etc.

You'll find your standard Go Up a Level cards, Wandering Monster, Monster Enhancers, and so on, as well as some special cards that tie into the Theme. There is a Sheriff's Badge and two Deputy's Badges that allow for some fun interactions between the characters with those items.

However, where most flavors of Munchkin stand out, GBM falls a bit short. Usually, a new flavor of Munchkin gets a new twist on the rules. For example, Star Munchkin had lasers and Munchkin Bites! had the "Bat" rule. GBM on the other hand gets Steed rules. The Steed rules originated in Munchkin 4: The Need for Steed and Steeds certainly fit a Western theme. I was just expecting something new.

Gameplay Summary: I would personally like to see a new set of Munchkin that uses just Races (like Munchkin Bites!) for blending purposes, but that certainly doesn't detract from this set as a standalone. The lack of a unique rule also was a bit of a let down, but as I said, the Steed rules are very appropriate to the genre.
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Value:
Some will say the $24.95 sticker price is too much for a card game. I personally think it depends more on the how much replay value a game has. As I love Munchkin anyway, I'm more than willing to shell out the money for this game. YMMV.

Value Summary: It's well worth the price of admission. Great quality combined with new gameplay and flexibility make for a great product.
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Overall:
I think GBM was well overdue. With all the other genres already covered, Westerns seemed like a no brainer. Steve Jackson Games lives up to it's standards of quality and delivers another great addition to the Munchkin family.

If you like Munchkin or Westerns, then you should definitely give this one a shot. If you don't like Munchkin and you don't like Westerns, then you probably won't like this, but you should try it anyway. Then again, if you don't like either you probably deserve to go to the hoosegow.

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