Game: Monsters Menace America

Thread: Re: Any chance of anyone translating the rule summary help files?

Luftwaffe Flak — 2008-08-27T13:48:44+00:00

Thank you so much! How I missed this I have no clue! All the best, Jonathan

Thread: Re: Any chance of anyone translating the rule summary help files?

cheetor — 2008-08-26T09:55:39+00:00

Assuming that you want the rules summary traslated into English then there isnt any need. There is a summary in English already up HERE.

You are riight about the rulebook, it is "clunky". The game moves very quickly once it is all clear though.

Thread: Re: Monsters Menace America -- a wargamers view

cheetor — 2008-08-26T09:37:47+00:00

Thanks for the sensible review

wargamer55 wrote:
There's been a fair amount of criticism about this final showdown, with many players suggesting the first part of the game hardly matters and everything comes down to the how the dice fall at the end.

I always feel that I should be irritated at the randomness at the end of a game of MMA, but Im not. The only time that it has really bugged me at all is when the game takes to long (over an hour).

With three players it has a play time of about an hour in my experience and it tends to be a fun time. I dont really ever remember who won 20 minutes later anyway, it doesnt matter.

As you said, fun but not really a big test of skill. Thats fine, I have other games for that if I really feel that I need to prove something. Which (thankfully) I usually dont.

Thread: Monsters Menace America -- a wargamers view

wargamer55 — 2008-08-24T18:52:40+00:00

I have a bit of a split personality when it comes to wargames. While my main interest is and has always been historical wargames, I have an undeniable weakness for parody and humor games as well.

So, as a long-time owner of Nuclear War and The Awful Green Things From Outer Space, it's probably no surprise that I have a copy of Monsters Menace America. I probably would have picked up the AH version (Monsters Ravage America) except that its publication occurred during a lull in my game-buying. Still, I think I like the newer version anyway as its production values seem more attractive to non-wargamers and it looks like it stripped out some of the "fiddly" elements.

The game uses an idea occasionally seen before in wargaming to handle the problem of asymmetric situations by having each player play both sides, In this case, each player controls one monster but also controls one branch of the Armed services trying to stop the rampage (Army, Navy, Marine Corps of Air Force). This cleverly gives everyone plenty to do and especially lets everyone have fun stomping around the country as a monster.

The game is very Hollywood cinematic in its theme, and as a matter of fact, Hollywood is one of the places monster can end up. Monsters gather strength by chomping cities and accumulating powers through mutation, while the armed forces try to chip away at the monsters strength. Once enough place have been stomped the game moves into a final showdown phase where the monsters duel until one remains standing.

There's been a fair amount of criticism about this final showdown, with many players suggesting the first part of the game hardly matters and everything comes down to the how the dice fall at the end. To the extent that winning through skill is important to a player, I think they will tend to dislike this mechanism. On the other hand, I can't help that feel that sort of serious player really isn't the target audience here. All parody games seem to have a high random element to them and have rules that are simply unfair. Just the other day I was eliminated from a game of Nuclear War during the opening play of Secrets/Top Secrets before I even ha d chance to play a card. Players of Munchkin know that player skill is no match for lucky cards and the fate of the stalwart crew of the Znutar in Awful Green Things depends an awful lot on the draw of weapon chits.

No, for a parody game the point is to have fun during play, have many entertaining twists and turns, hopefully with plenty of opportunity for mocking, jokes and sound effects. Final victory is just an excuse to end the game at some point and start a new one. One aspect that's common in these sort of games is a short playing time. At 90 minutes, Monsters Menace America is at the longish end of the scale for this sort of thing, but still short enough that a group can plan to play at least twice in an evening.

There's no player elimination, so everybody gets a chance to play the whole game and the final showdown will only take a few minutes, so even the losers don't have too much down time.

There are different strategies available, so players are not merely pawns at the mercy of the dice, and players can affect their final chances, so it's not just Snakes and Ladders. But it's also not chess or Bonaparte at Marengo, either. Luck will play a major role in the outcome. Personally, though, I think just playing with Zorb or Toxicor is cool enough that it really doesn't matter if they get thwacked in the final showdown.

It's a good game for what it is. You don't go to watch Godzilla expecting high concept, so you shouldn't expect it in MMA, either.

From my gaming blog at http://pawnderings.blogspot.com

Thread: Any chance of anyone translating the rule summary help files?

Luftwaffe Flak — 2008-08-23T13:27:21+00:00

Im trying hard but the layout of these rules is just confusing me. Has anyone done any of their own or perchance they can translate one of the files that have already been made? TIA and all the best, Jonathan

Thread: Re: Giant Military Units - Strategy

Zordren — 2008-08-18T07:34:04+00:00

thalcos wrote:
Your best bet is to use these guys in conjunction with other military units in assaults on the strongest monster.

JC hit the nail on the head. Just played a game tonight with my boy and he ganged up on me (Zorb) w/Mecha-Monster and several other units. I took out MM on my first round, of course, because I had to due to all the damage he can cause, but my son still pounded me pretty good on his two combat rounds with the remaining units. NEVER SEND ONE OF THOSE GUYS IN ALONE! Bring along some cannon-fodder and you can be almost assured to put a hurting on your opponent's monster (and/or make him use a lot of infamy, which is good, too!)

Thread: Re: infamy and the Final Tossdown

thalcos — 2008-08-10T04:50:39+00:00

Jumping in late here, but Rob is correct -- Infamy can only be used when it's your turn to attack.

Thread: Re: Giant Military Units - Strategy

thalcos — 2008-08-10T04:49:22+00:00

Your best bet is to use these guys in conjunction with other military units in assaults on the strongest monster.

Captain Colossal or Mecha-Monster are rarely ever strong enough to take on a monster one-on-one (especially at the endgame -- it generally doesn't pay to keep these guys around to the end). Attack an enemy monster together with a few other high-damage military units. Their high hit points almost guarantee a forced retreat, gaining you a free Research card, and their bonus attacks will likely make it a painful battle for your opponent.

Thread: Giant Military Units - Strategy

elCaptain — 2008-05-31T00:27:58+00:00

Hi All,

I'm just getting into this game, and I'm having trouble working out how to use Mecha-Monster and Captain Colossal effectively. They seem so awesome (at least thematically), and I get excited whenever I draw them from the research deck, but they usually don't get to do very much before they are stomped by a passing Monster...

So what are your strategic suggestions for using the Giant Military Units? Are they actually as good as they seem at first glance?

Thread: Re: Expansion

Mike A — 2008-04-22T14:38:29+00:00

zurround wrote:
Also, other geographic regions like EUROPE and JAPAN (duh on Japan) could be sold using the same components as the regular game.

A smaller 2-player Japan map would be great. I never thought about it until you mentioned it.

Thread: Re: Expansion

juggal0 — 2008-04-19T02:10:00+00:00

I like the Ultraman idea, except he would have to be a military character (just like the Captain, and the Robot). If he was an allie to the military, he wouldn't be destroying cities like the other monsters. I suppose the Ultraman character could work, but his only purpose would be to kill the other monsters, he would have no way to get stronger or anything.

I was thinking though, why not get an evil robot in the game. Or some type of alien race. In the old Godzilla movies aliens were always coming to Earth and attempting to take over. The alien should come with a set of flying saucers to use as it's very own military unit.

The game could also use some more flying monsters, like a Rodan or Mothra type thing. Maybe even hook it up with some new countries to go to (I know that the game is Monsters Menace America, but why not add some more land). This would give the Navy some more pieces because honestly, who uses the submarines? I always turn mine into the missles. With more countires, the monsters will have to travel through the water; thus having to fight submarines, or battle ships.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

zurround — 2008-04-15T09:11:50+00:00

I dont like the military being pointless instead the military really should be able to damage (even kill) monsters so that the players would have to fear the military AND the other monsters, instead of that "hollywood display" nonsense

Thread: Re: Expansion

zurround — 2008-04-15T08:59:19+00:00

I have an idea for a NEAT new character, a giant SUPERHERO similar to ULTRA MAN. His big and its a big one special ability is that he can never be attacked by the military, since he is their ally. To counter balance such a huge advantage he would be the weakest in other areas ie attack health etc so the strategy with him would be of course to only attack other monsters after the military has done damage to them (just like ultraman ahahha) Also, other geographic regions like EUROPE and JAPAN (duh on Japan) could be sold using the same components as the regular game. Also how about "team" games where players work together as teams where you try not to harm your teammate.

Thread: Re: Expansion

goldenboat — 2008-04-13T17:06:54+00:00

Keep an eye out for Monsterpocalypse, too. It is a collectable game, but Privateer Press does quality work and this looks exactly like the kind of "tactical" giant monster game we were talking about.

Thread: Re: Expansion

Zordren — 2008-04-13T14:09:17+00:00

goldenboat wrote:

More monsters, of course.

A variant board where the action is in a single city, rather than the whole country (a reduction in scale along the lines of the mini games released as part of the European version of Lord of the Rings Risk ... basically the same mechanics but a new feel based on the situation).

MMA is a flawed game but I still enjoy it every now and then with my kids.

Paul,

Great comments! Only one I disagree with (slightly) is the endgame - I don't have a problem with it. For this particular game, I think it fits in nicely - a relatively mindless and frantic and nail-biting dice-chucking fest!

Would be super-cool to have a tactical-level scenario! Maybe I'll play around with setting up MMA on my Blood Fued in New York board!

Would also like to see more (and better balanced) Mutation and Military Research Cards.

Thread: Re: Expansion

goldenboat — 2008-04-10T00:16:16+00:00

More monsters, of course.

A two-player mode where it is one monster against all the military, with the military player having a few options rather than saving up all his cruise missiles for an alpha strike.

A variant board where the action is in a single city, rather than the whole country (a reduction in scale along the lines of the mini games released as part of the European version of Lord of the Rings Risk ... basically the same mechanics but a new feel based on the situation).

And of course some variation in the combat system, to improve the dicey endgame ... maybe tactics cards for the monsters with specific strengths and weaknesses.

But with this game already remaindered I think the only expansions you'll see are ones posted here on the Geek.

MMA is a flawed game but I still enjoy it every now and then with my kids.

Thread: Expansion

juggal0 — 2008-04-09T22:48:50+00:00

This was a thread on Monsters Rave America, but I figured I'd ask it here too.

What kind of expanision would you like to see for this game?

Thread: Re: Solo Play Suggestions

HillKing — 2008-03-16T23:00:25+00:00

Absolutly right. there are of course some aspects of the varients i didnt think of. and this is of without playtesting too. I geuss the idea of destroying the relevant Bases is a good idea, either that or stomp all cities, or all major cities like NY and La etc.

If you figure too that you can only land on a nd encounter a mutation spot once then getting a fast military unit to run for the mutation zone would be an idea. so yeah your ON it when you have a unit on it.

Thread: Re: Solo Play Suggestions

Unitoch — 2008-03-15T01:01:08+00:00

Looks interesting. Without playtesting, here's my 2 cents:

Monster
-- The military units should attack the monster once they reach a critical mass of about six units that can reach the monster. After all, that could do some damage to the monster, and just sitting around waiting for the monster to attack them would be kinda silly, as it could just walk around them. This would also help keep the military from just surrounding the monster to just slow down gameplay.
-- What's the goal of this variant? Stomp out the relevant military bases?

Military - This one sounds pretty neat.
-- How do you indicate that you're on a mutation spot? Just get a unit there? That sounds a little too easy.
-- How does the monster move? To the nearest objective? In some set pattern?

It strikes me that you could also make these two variants work together to make the original into a radically different two-player game. That could be really neat, though of course that would defeat the solo play objective.

Thread: Solo Play Suggestions

HillKing — 2008-03-15T00:10:14+00:00

Everybody loves a good solo run around in a game never designed to be played with only one warm body, provided you have a balanced and fun variant on the rules to do this. For this particular game I suggest 2 differant ways to solo play: Either as a monster menacing america, or as the United States military trying to put the creature down. The following are simply suggestions on what Could be done with these concepts:

Playing as a MONSTER!!
This variant plays basically the same as the monster portion of the regular game. Go aroundstomping cities and gaining health. The only thing thats tricky is the control of the military.
--Before the game starts choose 1 or 2 military branches that will defend america.
--Each turn 2 new units spawn from the nearest base of that/those branches.
--Any units out during a turn Must move thier max movement to be as close to the monster as they can.
------
Combat when playing as a monster:---When combat happens the monster attacks first like always. The military however do not roll to attack. Thier attacks always hit and on thier turn after the monster attacks thier damage is dealt aoutomatically. 2 rounds of combat like usual.

Playing as the MILITARY!!!!
During this variant you play as the military. This is probably the more fun way to play seeing as the aspect of strategy comes into play more often what with developing squads and formations etc.
---At the begginging choose 1 military branch to play as.
---Devploying units works the same way on your turn.
---Instead of mutating on a mutation spot you may gain a military research card.
---The object is to kill the monster.
Combat when you are the military works the same as in the regular game except for the fact that your units attack first.

These were just some ideas I had. feel free to add suggestions and add ons, i want to hear some.

Thread: The pre-programmed monster movement variant and how we end the game.

big__rhino — 2008-03-14T18:53:43+00:00

SO, my brother and i did not like this game very much and have been talking about how to spice it up a bit. We talked about issues like the end game and the military, but couldn't really pin down why it was so dang boring and then we had an idea.

In monster movies the monster always seems to know where its going and nobody else does. The military is always running around trying to set traps for the monster and generally figure out where it is going to strike next. to represent this we decided to go with pre-programmed moves.

Here's how it works, hop over to the crimson skies listing and download the varient for hex-based manuevers. this will give you a page of manuevers. At the beginning of the game you will right orders for 5 turns and every 5 turns you will write more orders. your monster may begin the game at any speed, but may only add to or reduce its speed by two moves every turn. for example, you would right for the first turn: move four spaces, bank left. and so on and so on. after the orders have been written the turn sequence is handled like so:

1. Write orders (when applicable)
2. Move all military
3. move all monsters
4. Fight all battles
5. Encounter all spaces
6. Deploy military

If a monster cannot move to the next space in its manuever than it will turn around and continue to move in that direction.

it is legal to write return to layer and emerge from layer as manuevers.

any research cards that talk about moving the monster (like blonde lure) work just fine, they just change the monsters manuever for that turn to a direct path dictated by the card. you can really mess up a monsters movement this way.

those king of the monster spaces now have an encounter ability, you may change your next manuever if you wish. these spaces are not stomped.

We also changed the way combat works a bit to make the military more effective. there is only one round of combat and a space may not be encountered if military are in the same space as the monster. This way the military can defend a space and the monster will just move on because it is pre-programmed to keep moving. this is reflective of monster movies because the monster isn't totally concerned with mass destruction and will continue to go wherever it is going.

also, monsters that are in the same space or adjacent to each other must battle for two rounds. roll off to see who attacks first. the monster that causes more damage is the victor. in the event of a tie, fight another round. the victor of the battle gains 2 infamy points and any infamy that the losing monster spent during the rounds fought. This will encourage monsters to battle it out.

Mutation cards may be used in any battle.

the game immediately ends when the correct ammount of stomp tokens have been used. so for a two player game, it is over when 14 stomp tokens are gone.

the victor is the monster with the most infamy tokens at the end of the game.

you generate infamy tokens in these ways:
1. by stomping a city that gives infamy
2. 1 infamy token is generated for each military base stomped
3. 1 infamy token is generated for each 1hp city stomped
4. 2 infamy are generated for each 1d6 city stomped
5. 3 infamy are generated for each 2d6 city stomped
6. 4 infamy are genrated for each 3d6 city stomped
7. 2 infamy are generated for victory over another monster
8. X infamy is generated where X is the number of infamy an opposing, defeated monster used in a battle against the victorious monster.

I am currently working on a monster's menace america manuever chart, but for now the crimson skies hex-based manuever chart works just fine. We had a great time playing this way because of the added strategy that goes into defending cities and planning out several turns of movement in advance.

Thread: Re: Monster Challenge

Gislef — 2008-02-26T19:43:23+00:00

However, Atomic Recovery refers to you returning to minimum health at the beginning of a turn, rather than a combat round. It doesn't seem to apply during Challenges.

Thread: Re: infamy and the Final Tossdown

Robrob — 2008-02-25T20:56:40+00:00

I would assume it means "use at any time" when you are rolling in the first place. You shouldn't be able to just throw them down at any point in the turn sequence (e.g. during your opponent's roll).

Thread: infamy and the Final Tossdown

Gislef — 2008-02-25T15:19:02+00:00

We're still a little unclear on how to use Infamy in the final showdown(s).

Are you limited to only using it when it's your turn to attack? This potentially gives the Challenger an (even larger) advantage.

But the rules do say "Use at any time." So can the defender (anti-Challenger) dump them during the Challenger's attack? If so, what determines the sequence of play? "Well, I make five Infamy attacks." "Well, I make 3 more back at you." Well, then I make 2 more."

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Rat King 64 — 2008-01-30T20:46:33+00:00

I bought a copy of this game about a year ago, but still haven't managed to play it. My local game store was dumping it (along with most of the other AH games) for $25. I figured it would be a shallow game, but for $25 I was willing to take the risk. Now I just need to find the right of group of people to play with. The people at game club would definitely not be interested due to the goofy theme, and my war game buddies will probably find it to be too random and un-strategic. At the moment it is sitting with the other AH game that nobody likes to play (Betrayal At House on The Hill) in the top of my basement closet.

Thread: Re: Monster Challenge

dbc- — 2008-01-27T09:23:06+00:00

Military Research Cards do not have an effect on the Monster Challenge, since this part of the game happens out of the normal turn sequence. You are no longer moving units or monsters. The monsters simply duke it out alone!

Mutation Cards stay in effect during the Monster Challenge, since some of the cards would otherwise be completely useless - like the card that lets you attack first in Monster Challenges.

Thread: Monster Challenge

Robrob — 2008-01-27T01:38:03+00:00

Do the various unplaced cards in your hand still have affect the the Monster Challenge? Specifically, the Atomic Recovery mutation card that allows you to refresh your HP back to base level after a fight (would make you nearly invincible especially if you are the first challenger) and any of the Military Research cards that say "unit" - does that include your monster? E.G. Anti-mutagen, Chopper Lift, Stabilizer Ray and Molecular Cannon? If they apply in the Monster Challenge it would seem easy to use Chopper Lift to simply move your opponent elsewhere, leaving you victorious (and bequeathing you a huge number of new HP).

Thread: Re: I was expecting more posts here

HillKing — 2008-01-24T21:37:52+00:00

Oh my gosh i LOVED that movie!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!! I have to go play MMA RIGHT NOW because you made the connection for me!!!!!!!!!!!!

no really this is a great game and Im glad i snatched up a copy before they (apparently) stopped printing it.

Thread: Re: I was expecting more posts here

plutonick — 2008-01-24T16:04:53+00:00

Let me rephrase this. I was expecting an increase of posts after 18.1.08

Thread: Re: Fixing the dodgy fighting system!

Mandrake — 2008-01-23T00:56:11+00:00

Sorry to hear that. Your ideas looked interesting. Thanks for the response.

Thread: Re: Fixing the dodgy fighting system!

Boromir_and_Kermit — 2008-01-22T22:46:13+00:00

No I didn't as there was no interest for it at the time.

Sorry to dissappoint you.

There are better Giant Monster Games anyway.

You could try out Giant Monster Rampage by Radioactive Press (it's a miniatures game, but my favourite in the Giant monster style) or Monster Island by Firefly Games.

Cheers,
Ben.

Thread: Re: Fixing the dodgy fighting system!

Mandrake — 2008-01-22T17:01:34+00:00

Did you ever follow through with this project, Ben? If so, how does it play?

Image

sasquatchdjh — 2008-01-22T04:22:28+00:00

Just before the final battle ensues. Who will survive??!

Thread: Re: I was expecting more posts here

AdrianPHague — 2008-01-21T13:31:37+00:00

Eh? there are 12 pages of posts here!

Waddya want, the moon-on-a-stick?!

Thread: I was expecting more posts here

plutonick — 2008-01-21T12:24:04+00:00

And an increase in this game's popularity, what with the new Cloverfield movie and all.

Thread: Why so harsh?

tssfulk — 2008-01-05T19:39:50+00:00

What type of game did you think you were buying?

This is a fun dice-fest of a game. Forget thinking and planning, just relax and stomp things. When you mentioned that people got miffed after their 40hp monsters got their butts whipped by better mutated monsters, then it sound to me like you play with D&D munchkins.

My son and I find the military very useful, but we usually attack in mass to push or attack with nukes to do damage. The military are only annoying insects keeping the monsters from stomping.

The best strategy? Watch your opponents and think about how they will fair in the final melees. Try to get at least one of the juicy mutations, try to have as many or more infamy, and try get the first attack (very important). Just eating big cities is usually not enough.

Image

Xenomech — 2008-01-01T02:30:25+00:00

The army and air force -- with the help of Captain Colossal -- prepare to take out Zorb.

Image

Xenomech — 2008-01-01T02:27:15+00:00

Toxicor and Tomanagi ravage the East Coast.

Image

Xenomech — 2008-01-01T02:25:13+00:00

The monster tokens as they were packaged in the box.

Image

Xenomech — 2008-01-01T02:24:06+00:00

The size of the board and the large cards involved demand a decent sized area to play on.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

HillKing — 2007-12-28T22:18:32+00:00

Great point, the overlooking the shortcomings game. Not all games are gonna be Amazing, but when you mind one thats generally fun, such as MMA, you play it for the fun parts, not the unfun parts.

Thread: Re: Is this game still in print??

Innovan — 2007-12-01T00:06:38+00:00

>Available from many on-line sources.

So it is:
http://www.boardgameprices.com/game.aspx?id=100145

Thread: Re: Is this game still in print??

wargamer55 — 2007-11-30T23:22:28+00:00

Who said Hasbro has nixed the Avalon Hill line?
Just this month they released Axis & Allies Guadalcanal under the AH name. Looks like it's "live" to me.
Monsters Menace America is available from many online sources. Appearance of any particular AH title -- or any other game -- in a retail outlet is a very hit-and-miss affair because of the way big retailers handle distribution.

Thread: Re: Is this game still in print??

steamrunner — 2007-11-30T19:45:14+00:00

I think a couple of game stores have them near me but they will be the full price $40 or so.

Thread: Re: Is this game still in print??

Innovan — 2007-11-30T18:56:51+00:00

Some of the AH games still show up on Tanga.com from time to time.

Thread: Re: Is this game still in print??

Rliyen — 2007-11-30T18:54:12+00:00

ryanmaesen wrote:
Is this game still in print?? I've never seen it in any stores! Do you know where to find it?

Hasbro nixed the AH line, so the answer is no. However, the only places I saw it at was Toy R Us. I picked up the last remaining copies there.

Thread: Is this game still in print??

ryanmaesen — 2007-11-30T17:35:28+00:00

Is this game still in print?? I've never seen it in any stores! Do you know where to find it?

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

mjtuell — 2007-11-27T02:32:49+00:00

I'm glad to see someone else give this game some props.

The military is definitely not pointless. Anyone who says so just hasn't figured out how to use them correctly. I can see why people might think the end is anticlimactic, but we still have fun with it. It wraps up quickly and it does matter how you position yourself for it.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Shanahan — 2007-11-26T23:16:19+00:00

The military becomes slightly more vital if you use a variant rule posted here on the Geek that has the attacker rolling first. So if it's your turn and your military units are attacking an opponent's monster, you roll first. That can let the armed forces put a few hits on the kaiju before they get demolished.

And I get it that the way the rules are written is supposed to reflect how the military is largely ineffective in monster movies, but for game purposes, this variant works very nicely to add a little more depth.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Drez — 2007-11-26T21:34:16+00:00

KakarisMaelstrom wrote:
It is a fun idea. Fun game, that's questionable. Every time I have played it, I get a series of complaints:

- The military is pointless.
- It ends in a free for all?
- The choices seem automatic.
- The powers aren't balanced.

For it to work with your group, you have to be willing to overlook the game's shortcomings. My people want it to be fun because the pieces are so much fun. However, there's not much game there to enjoy really.

The military is pointless! Well... that all depends on how you use your branch! If you're tossing a couple of units against a monster each turn they certainly don't do much. However, if you gather your forces for 2-3 turns and then proceed to either a) form a huge group that attacks the monster en masse, or b) form a perimeter around a monster making it very hard for it to move, then these units can be very effective.

It does end in a free for all.

The choices are far from automatic! With the monster you need to decide where to focus your efforts. East coast with lots of HP, or West coast with lots of mutations, or some mix. Also, you need to grab some infamy at some point to ensure your victory in the final battle. Maybe you want to crush your opponents military bases, not only to gain infamy, but to wreak havoc with their unit deployment. Far from automatic I would argue. And then with your military, you have choices a) or b) above (not to mention which units to deploy and what areas to defend), or you could focus on military research.

The powers aren't balanced... that is true, but doesn't make a huge different in my opinion.

As for enjoyment factor... the first time I explained this game to a group, we also had Winner's Circle being explained, and let me state that just listening to the rules explanation had everyone convined that MMA was the superior game. There was almost a mutiny at the Winner's Circle table when they overheard it explained that "Monsters mutate on a critically failed nuclear strike".

Of course every group is different.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Ahiksking — 2007-11-26T19:31:54+00:00

Well, I can certainly resist it. Very disappointing game. Certainly set up for kids. However, my 2 teenage boys were distinctly underwhelmed and have refused to play it again. My gamimg group also gave it one try and that was it.

Pros = fun, simple, B-movie style of approach.

Cons = too much luck, unbalanced, too long for its young audience, random end.

Sorry, but nothing going for it in my opinion.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

KakarisMaelstrom — 2007-11-26T17:32:38+00:00

It is a fun idea. Fun game, that's questionable. Every time I have played it, I get a series of complaints:

- The military is pointless.
- It ends in a free for all?
- The choices seem automatic.
- The powers aren't balanced.

For it to work with your group, you have to be willing to overlook the game's shortcomings. My people want it to be fun because the pieces are so much fun. However, there's not much game there to enjoy really.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Drez — 2007-11-26T16:12:59+00:00

I'll keep my ears open.

Thread: Re: Who can resist this game!?

Daddy-O — 2007-11-26T06:24:55+00:00

I don't suppose you know someone who would like to trade for my copy? I'd be happy to trade it.

Thread: Who can resist this game!?

Drez — 2007-11-25T23:44:27+00:00

Monsters Menace America. A game in which you play a monster rampaging across the continent crushing all in his (or her) path, while at the same time using a branch of the military dedicated to stopping the rampage of fellow players' monsters. Sounds like the making of an awesome game to me! Now for some of the details as to how this game was fabulously implemented and produced.

First I draw your attention to the monsters themselves:
]]> Some of them have terrific detail and when they tower over the map you really feel like you're playing this gigantic beast invading North America.

The monsters are certainly the best aspect of this game's production, but the bits are made of sturdy cardboard, the army pieces are plastic models as opposed to cheap cardboard representations, and the cards are of solid stock. All the artwork in the game is fantastic and theme driven and even the rulebook is terrific and is written thematically to give you a feel for the atmosphere in the game. When I see great production like this I can't help but think that this game has potential. The only complaint I have is the character HP track, which is hard to attach, and when moved damages the card (like in Betrayal at House on the Hill).

]]>The back of the box gives you a pretty good feel for the awesome production put into this game.

So, now that you're convinced the bits and pieces are terrific, how about the gameplay and mechanics. Each turn consists of moving your monster around and crushing cities to gain HP and/or infamy or interacting with experiment sites where you can gain mutations, making your monster more versatile and powerful. On your rampage, you may encounter military units. These are typically no problem to swat aside, but do slow you down. However, if you're worried about this, be sure to grab a monster that can evade the military by swimming out to sea, or even fly overtop of most units. This reminds me that I should mention each monster is unique in starting HP and abilities. Some can fly, some can swim, some can swat down airplanes... but I 'll leave most of that for you to explore when you play this game for the first time.

]]> A few examples of mutation cards.

After the monster moves, and crushes something, you mobilize your branch of the military (army, airforce, marines etc.), allowing you to move and deploy units. You may use these guys just to slow other monsters down, or you can gather your units together for a large scale attack and actually try to deal some damage. You can even use nuclear missiles against the monsters! (but be careful because rolling a critical miss on a nuclear strike causes the monster to mutate for free!). Rather than deploy units you can also draw Military Research cards, which give you greater military strength, and in some cases give you access to the special units, some of which are actually super heroes!

]]> (note that these units aren't actually painted when you receive the game, but are nonetheless really cool!)

You may even succeed in subduing a monster with a huge military strike, but not to worry, that player is far from finished. When a monster is subdued he is sent to Hollywood, where he is put on display. Each turn your monster is in Hollywood he slowly recovers HP until he is strong enough to break free and rampage once more across the continent!
]]> Hollywood is down there in the bottom left. Don't that monster look like he's having fun!

The only complaint I can issue comes from settling a victor. I think the game designers figured they'd built something really cool, then couldn't decide how it was supposed to end, so they decided that the monsters would just fight each other in a great final battle, and last monster standing wins the game. This has the advantage that you're never sure if you've lost the game, as with some lucky rolls at the end anyone could come out on top, but it does feel a little anti-climatic to crush North America, and then settle the winner with dice rolling. Then again, I can't think of a better way to end the game, so I guess this is acceptable.

Some final points to take away:
This is a fun game. Sure there's a bit of strategy and decision making, but ultimately you should play this game if your primary objective is to have fun. For a more technical strategy-based game (which can also be enjoyable) I would look elsewhere.
The bits are fantastic! The monsters look gorgeous, and everything about the production was well thought through. I can only criticize the inside of the box, which isn't anything special, and the HP counters (which scratch the cards).
You get to control giant monsters and heavy weaponry!
The game takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of players, but this game works with any number of people, which I really like.

Now, if you didn't read all that and just want the skinny:
Fun/Theme:
Mechanics:
Components:
Weight:

And if you really don't like reading, this all translates into 9/10.

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kilroy_locke — 2007-11-21T06:21:02+00:00

Zorb terrorizes the West Coast!

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Muzza — 2007-10-20T15:33:03+00:00

Don't forget your monster repellent

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mwda — 2007-09-13T04:39:10+00:00

Alternate Hairy Kronk from D&D Miniatures

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simonh — 2007-08-22T04:09:58+00:00

Unpunched - Infamy Tokens; Mecha-Monster, Captain Colossal & National Guard Record Tiles

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simonh — 2007-08-22T04:09:05+00:00

Unpunched - Infamy Tokens; Army & Navy Record Tiles