I originally posted this review on www.geekplanet.co.uk


Munchkin
Written by Dev Sodagar

Designer: Steve Jackson
Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
Number of Players: 3 - 6 players
Playing Time: 1-2 Hours
Category: Fantasy, Card Game
Mechanics: Role-Playing, Variable Player Powers, Trading
Web: http://www.sjgames.com/munchkin/game/
Release Date: Out now

In Brief: Do you remember your first adventure in the world of Dungeons & Dragons? Did you worry more about stats and skills than being your character, in short were you a Munchkin? This card game brings back those days and ruthlessly ridicules them.

Munchkin is a card game created by Steve Jackson (no, not the Games Workshop one – the other roleplaying mogul named Steve Jackson), with artwork and gags from Dork Tower creator John Kovalic, the objective of which is to be the first to reach Level 10 as you trek through dungeons, fight the monsters and back-stab your fellow adventurers. Players start as level 1 humans with no class; each round they kick down a door (turn up a “door” card) and face a curse, monster or other event detailed on the card. If the card reveals a monster that player must attempt to run away (by rolling five or six on a six-side die – harder than it sounds!) or to fight it, using a very simple battle system (your current level + bonuses from any cards equipped must be greater than the monster's level to beat it). If combat is successful, the player gains a level and takes the reward listed on the monster card (usually a set number of treasure cards); if not, the player loses a level and takes whatever punishment (called “bad stuff”) is listed on the same card. If that first door card reveals a trap, curse or another event the player must deal with the effects, and then draw (if they wish) a second door card to be added to their hand. Play then moves on to the next player.

Sounds simple, right? Well, if Munchkin really were that simple it would be a very dull game indeed. The meat of the game, in fact, comes from the player interaction, and the aforementioned back-stabbing. You see, if a player is holding a monster card at the time that an opponent is taking their turn, he can throw it into the mix and force his opponent to fight it – and if his opponent is already fighting a monster the two join forces, forcing them to turn to others for help, and that's where it really gets interesting – Munchkin's rules allow players to beg, bribe, bargain, trade and deal in any way they see fit in order to get they help they need. This often leads to Dragon's Den-style undercutting, with rival players revising their offers time and again in order to turn the game to their advantage. On top of this, curses and traps can also be sprung on your rivals at regular intervals, allowing for more dealing, temporary alliances and outright treachery than you ever thought possible!

The game itself consists of two decks of cards (door and treasure) and a D6 (used to calculate escape and occasional other features), and it all comes in an oversized box about the shape and size of the old PC Game boxes (a massive bugbear of mine, especially for card games or games with lots of bits -- why not design the box so that it neatly carries everything without having heaps of excess space? The box doesn't even have packing to stop the contents rattling about!). The cards are printed on standard stock, although only coloured in a few different shades of brown, which for the price you are paying -- about £15 -- seems a little stingy. The package is also noticeably absent of a method of tracking players' levels, although this isn't a massive problem since pen and paper will suffice, and most former D&D players will be drowning in D20s, D10s, D12s that can be used instead. Still, it would have been nice for counters or something to be included in the box. The artwork, on the other hand, is excellent, really hitting home the gags and effortlessly having players in stitches, all adding to the fun of the playing experience.

For hardcore roleplayers, Muchkin isn't so much about tactics and winning as it is reminiscing about the good old days of D&D, good friends, crisps and Coke, and for everyone else it's simply about the social humour and the back-stabbing -- if you're in it to win it, then find something else to play. This game has a simple and effective mechanic that allows people of all ages and abilities to join in, have fun and enjoy the jokes. The artwork and card blurbs are both entertaining, and the countless expansions on offer continually breathe new life into the proceedings; Munchkin has been around for quite a few years now, so whether you want to try it as a board game, play a Cyborg in space or investigate the mysteries of Cthulhu and Yog Shoggoth there is a flavour of Munchkin to suit. These all help the gags last a little longer -- a good thing, as without them the game can become just a little bit stale. Otherwise recommended, but just think twice before dumping that Plutonium Dragon on your girlfriend. Relationships have ended for much less...