Reviews
Would you like us to review your game? Just send us a promotional copy and we'll put the review on our home page
for at least 30 days, and keep a permanent copy of it on this page. We'll also post reviews of the game on
Board Game Geek,
Funagain.com, and any other review sites you would
like us to post it on. To have your game reviewd, please email us information about the game and we'll send
you the shipping address.
|
Review: Mafia
|
12/21/2007
|
Mafia is game of murder and intrigue where the citizens
of the town are being picked off one by one by the Mafia. The citizens must try to discover which players are
part of the Mafia before all the Inspectors are killed. If you've ever played Werewolves of Miller's Hollow or
Lynch Mob, it's essentially the same game with a few minor differences.
For many years now, we've played a homemade version of Mafia at our annual Halloween party. Everyone seem to enjoy it.
HOW TO PLAY
One person is selected to be the Mayor. The Mayor is not an actual player. He or she just runs the game. Each player is
given a random role card that only they can look at. The roles are Mafia, Citizen, Inspector, and Angel.
The game takes place in two phases, day and night.
NIGHT
The Mayor tells everyone to go to sleep. At this point, everyone must close their eyes. The Mayor then tells the Mafia to
wake up. The players that have a Mafia card open their eyes, and must now select who they want to kill. They do this silently
by pointing to the person they want to kill. The Mafia must then close their eyes. Next, the Mayor then tells the Inspectors
to wake up. The Inspectors then point to someone they want to know about. The Mayor will silently nod his head yes or no to
indicate whether that player is a member of the Mafia. The Inspectors must now close their eyes. The night has now come to an
end, so the Mayor tells everyone to wake up.
DAY
The Mayor announces which player was killed during the night. The player that was killed is out of the game and must reveal
their role card. Everyone now discusses who they think is a member of the Mafia. Keep in mind that no one know who the Mafia
players are, so the Mafia players are taking place in this discussion as well and may try to sway your decision. After a few
minutes of discussion, the Mayor opens the floor for formal accusations. Anyone can make an accusation, including the Mafia.
When someone is accused, the Mayor asks for a second to the accusation. If no one seconds the motion, the player is of the hook.
If someone seconds the motion, the player is put on trial and must state their defense, after which a vote is taken. If the
majority of the players vote to put that player on trial, they are out of the game and must reveal their role card. If a
majority is not reached, another accusation is made and the process repeats until someone is eliminated.
GAME END
Repeat the night and day phases until one of the following things happen:
- If all the Mafia members are convicted, in which case the Citizens win the game.
- If all the Citizens are killed, or there are an equal or lesser number of Citizens left as there are Mafia, in which case the Mafia wins.
THE ANGEL
After you've played a few games you can choose to add Angels to the game. During the night, the Mayor awakens the Angel and
asks him or her who they would like to save. If the Angel picks the same player that the Mafia chose to kill that night,
that person doesn't die.
What I really like about Mafia is all the player interaction. Once the accusations start flying, it's funny to see how people
try to convice people that they are not part of the Mafia. There always seems to be a lot of laughing going on during the game,
which is always a good sign. The game also seems to appeal to a wide range of ages.
The cards are black and white, and the artwork has kind of a comic book look to it, which normally wouldn't appeal to me, but it
actually seems to suit this game well. Since you only look at the cards once at the beginning of the game, it doesn't really
matter much what they look like anyway.
PROS:
-Lots of player interaction
-The game supports up to 29 players!
-It's easy to learn
-It works well with most age groups
CONS:
-You need at least 7 players to play
Although Mafia is not a game I will want to play all the time, it will definitely be played enough to make it worth the money.
Players: 7-29
Time: 30 min
Ages: 7+
|
|
Review: Cloud 9 (Out of the Box edition)
|
11/26/2004
|
Cloud 9 is one of those games
that doesn't sound like it would be very fun just from reading the rules, but when you play it you are
pleasantly surprised. The basic theme is that you are on a hot air balloon ride and the higher the balloon
rises the greater the chances are that it will fall and you will get zero points. If you think the
balloon is going to fall, you can jump out onto a cloud to score the points indicated on the cloud.
However, if you jump out too soon and the balloon keeps rising you will have missed out on precious points.
It has a similar feel to Can't Stop with the tension of deciding whether or not to take your chances
and continue. You can read the full rules here.
The game is very simple and takes very little time to learn. The production quality is top notch.
I've played it with both hardcore gamers and light gamers and both seemed to enjoy it. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would
rate it a 7. It's a great light filler that I look forward to playing again. For the price, you really
can't go wrong.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designers: Aaron Weissblum
Players: 2-6
Time: 30 min
Ages: 8+
Game Rules
|
|
Review: Cityscape
|
12/09/2003
|
In Cityscape
you are trying to build the city to your own specifications. The problem is
that your opponents are trying to build the city to their own set of specifications, which
are different from yours. Players take turns placing blocks onto the city forming buildings
of varying heights. The player that matches their specifications the closest wins.
Click here for
detailed rules.
Cityscape is a 2004 Games 100 honoree. Like all of the Out of the Box MasterPiece games, the
components are highly crafted stained wood. The game is very easy to learn and only takes
about 10 minutes to play. It's a perfect game to play while you're waiting for the rest of
your gaming group to arrive.
You can play with up to 4 players, but I don't think this game works that well with more than 2.
With 4 players, it just becomes a game of luck where you have very little control over what
happens. You pretty much just hope that people don't screw up your plans too much. With 3
players, the player with no one across from them has a distinct advantage. The 2 player game
works exactly the same as the 4 player game, but each player plays 2 sides. The reason I like
this better is because it gives you a little more to think about. You have to play your piece
so that it works for both of your sides. If you're not careful, you could do a move that helps
one of the sides you are playing, but accidently screw up the other side you are playing.
The two player game seems more mentally challenging and less chaotic.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give Cityscape a 6. Although it's not a bad game, it's not one
I see myself playing more than a few times a year. I think casual gamers would enjoy this game
more.
I'm working on a few variations to the game, which I will post as soon as I get them fine tuned.
One is a solitaire variation, and the other is a timed game where you compete against an opponent
for the best time at completing the city.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designers: Sjaak Griffioen
Players: 2-4
Time: 10-20 min
Ages: 8+
Game Rules
More Reviews
|
|
10 Days in Africa / 10 Days in the USA
|
12/09/2003
|
10 Days in Africa and
10 Days in the USA are great
games for learning geography. They are very easy to learn and take only 20 to 30 minutes to play.
If you're a geography teacher, these are a must have. I am terrible at geography, because the
way it was taught to me in high school was very boring, so I never paid attention. However, if
I were able to learn geography by playing games like these, I would have found it much more interesting.
Game Components
The game components are top notch. The board is colorful and glossy. The cards are very think and durable.
The card holders are made of wood.
Target Audience
I think the target audience for these game is the light gamer. Hardcore gamers would most
likely lose interest after only a few games.
Although the box says the recommended age is 10+, I think kids as young as 7 would have no problem
playing it. It's a good game to bring out at a family gathering.
Luck vs. Skill
As far as luck vs. skill goes, I think this game is about 80% luck and 20% skill. The luck of the
draw is a huge factor in the game. The first time I played the game, I got horrible cards that
were no where near each other. My opponent won the game before I made even 4 connections. The
second time I played, I had 7 connections just from my starting cards!
My 2 Cents
Personally, I would rate these games a 6 out of 10. They are not bad games, but they are also nothing
special. My biggest complaint is that there is no player interaction at all. It feels like everyone
is playing their own single player game. Most of the other reviews
of the game are much higher than mine , so just keep in mind that I prefer deeper games with
lots of player interaction, like Traders of Genoa, Chinatown, and Settlers of Catan.
Variants
As I mentioned above, I don't think there is enough player interaction in these games, so I've come
up with a few variants to address this issue.
Trading (Option 1): After each round (when all players have taken a turn), a trading phase takes place.
You will need a timer. I recommend using a 1 minute timer. Once the timer starts, all players
simultaneously attempt to trade cards with each other. All trades must be 1 for 1 and must be agreed
upon by both players. The card you receive in the trade must be placed in the slot that the card you
gave away came from. You can lay the cards you are offering to trade in front of the slots they came
from in your card holder, but be sure not to move them, so you don't forget where they came from.
Trading (Option 2): Instead of having a phase where everyone trades at once, only the player who's turn
it is can make a trade. This works best if players leave cards they are willing to trade face up in front
of one of the day slots where everyone can see it, instead of actually placing it in the slot. I recommend
that you place one or two other cards that you are not willing to trade face up as well so people cannot tell
when you are getting close to winning. You cannot trade more than one card per turn. Trading must take
place before you draw a card, because if you do make a trade, you do not draw a card like you normally
would. The trade is considered your draw. If you do not make a trade, you just draw a card like you normally
would.
I haven't actually played with any of these variants yet, so I don't know how well they will actually
work. if you get a chance to play with them before I do, let me know how it goes.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designers: Alan R Moon & Aaron Weissblum
Players: 2-4
Time: 20-30 min
Ages: 10+
Game Rules
Price: Only $13.95 at www.FunAgain.com!
|
|
Basari Review
|
10/12/2003
|
Basari is a light game
that's easy to learn, moves quickly, and has excellent
ratings
from most reviewers. It was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres (the German game of the year) in 1998.
The game components include 4 wooden dice and pawns, 100 colored glass stones representing gems,
action cards, and a glossy game board.
Like most Out of the Box games, I think this one is best for groups that prefer light games.
It doesn't have enough to it to keep the hardcore gamer interested for more than a few games.
The game works as follows. First, each player rolls the die and moves their pawn around the board. The space that they
land on will have a number and a certain number or jewels on it. Next, each player secretly selects one of three action cards.
Then, they all simultaneously reveal which card they chose. The three action cards are Gems, Points, and Dice. The Gems
card means you take the gems specified on the space you are currently on. The Points card means you get the number of points
on the space you are on. The Dice card means you roll the dice, move your pawn that many spaces, and take point equal to
6 minus the number you rolled. The catch is, if two people choose the same action card, they have to bid for the privilege
of taking the action by offering the other player gems. Counter offers are made until one player agrees to accept the gems
in exchange for letting the other player take the action on the card. If three or more players select the same action, no
one gets to take that action. Play continues until one or more players go all the way around the board, in which case the
round ends and scoring occurs. The player with the most red gems gets 14 points. The player with the most yellow gems gets
12 points. The most green is 10, and the most blue is 8. Any players that made it all the way around the board get 10 points.
After three rounds, the game ends and the player with the most points wins.
If you like light games that are easy to learn and have a good pace, Basari would be the perfect addition to your collection.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designer: Reinhard Staupe
Players: 3-4
Time: 20-30 min
Ages: 10 to Adult
Game Rules
More Reviews
|
|
Apples to Apples: Apple Crate Edition
|
10/09/2003
|
Apples to Apples
is the ultimate party game. It is tremendously popular and has won numerous awards.
I honestly can't speak highly enough of it. It's one of those rare games I can play over and
over and never get tired of it. I've played the game with at least 50 different people and I
have yet to meet a single person that doesn't like the game.
Here's an example of a round of Apples to Apples. The judge turns over a green card with an adjective on it.
In this case, let's say it has the word "Horrifying". Each player has 7 red cards in their hand
with nouns on them. Players quickly toss one card from their hand into the center of the table that they
think is best described by the word "Horrifying". In this case, let's say the red cards that
were played are Paying Taxes, A Morgue, Hairballs, Lawyers, Skydiving, Cockroaches, Michael Jackson, and
Madonna's Hairy Armpits. The Judge would read the cards out loud to everyone, since the best part of the
game is hearing how funny some of the answers are. The judge would then pick which card he/she thinks is
the best match. The person who played the winning card takes the green card. The first person to get a
specific number of green cards wins the game. It's that simple! I strongly recommend playing with at least
5 players. With less than that it isn't nearly as fun.
When I first read the rules for the game, I thought "this doesn't sound very exciting."
Was I ever wrong! The game is hilarious, fast paced, and takes only 30 seconds to learn.
If your group doesn't enjoy this game, you're either playing it wrong, or you're borderline comatose.
Out of the Box games recently released an Apple Crate Edition of game which comes in a very cool
wooden crate.
The Apple Crate Edition comes with the original Apples to Apples game and the first two expansions.
That's 1000 cards!
If you don't have Apples to Apples yet, get off your lazy butt and go get it! You won't regret it!
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designer: Matthew Kirby & Mark Alan Osterhaus
Players: 4-10
Time: 20-30 min
Ages: 12+ for standard game. 7+ and 9+ for Junior editions
More Reviews
Buy Apples To Apples: Original Edition
Buy Apples To Apples: Crate Edition (includes original + expansions 1 & 2)
Buy Apples To Apples: Expansion #1
Buy Apples To Apples: Expansion #2
Buy Apples To Apples: Expansion #3
Buy Apples To Apples: Expansion #4
Buy Apples To Apples: Blank Cards
Buy Apples To Apples: Junior 7+
Buy Apples To Apples: Junior 9+
|
|
Fish Eat Fish Review
|
10/08/2003
|
Fish Eat Fish is a cute, light,
abstract game that is very easy to learn and doesn't take long to play.
The artwork is mediocre, but the fish pieces and starfish are great.
I think the game is good for all ages, but would be enjoyed most by a younger
crowd or groups that prefer light games.
The group I played with were all in their 30's and tend to prefer heavier games like
Puerto Rico,
Traders of Genoa and
Princes of Florence.
However, even though we prefer heavier games, we all liked the game and said we would play it again.
On a scale of 1 to 5, we all gave it a 3. I've heard from other reviewers that it's funner with less players,
so I look forward to trying it again with fewer players. I'll update my review as soon as I do.
Although it's not a great game, it is a good game that I will definitely play again.
With a price of only $15 at www.Funagain.com,
you really can't go wrong.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designer: Reiner Knizia
Players: 2-5
Time: 20-30 min
More Reviews
|
|
Octiles
|
09/25/2003
|
Octiles is an abstract game
that has a good blend of luck and strategy. The game takes only a few minutes to learn, but takes far
longer to master. The game has beautifully crafted wooden components, and the box is thicker and more
durable than most games.
The game involves creating paths from your start points to your goals by placing octagonal tiles. Each
tile has different twists and turns, and the game board changes throughout the game. You have to be careful
where you place tiles, because placing a tile that makes the perfect path for you may also make the perfect
path for your opponent! If you like games like Streetcar (A.K.A. Linie 1), Ta Yü and The aMAZEing Labyrinth,
you will most likely enjoy Octiles.
One of my favorite things about Octiles is that you can easily adjust the length of the game by simply
playing with fewer pieces. That way it can be played as a quick filler, or a full length game.
Another great thing about Octiles, and many other OTB games, is that you get multiple games in one. In fact,
many OTB games can even be played solitaire. Check out all the Octiles variations.
The great thing about all Out Of The Box games is that they are very easy to learn. Many games out there
are just jam packed with a bunch of extra rules that make the game more complex without making it more fun.
OTB keeps it simple, light and fun. Here is an excerpt from an interview with Mark Osterhaus, President of
Out Of The Box Games, which explains their philosophy on games quite well.
"When Apples to Apples came to us, it was designed as what I would call a "Trivial Pursuit" type game. The
guy who built it had this box, a board, and all these cards, and the game had an incredible amount of
mechanics to it. It had all this stuff going on. ... We were playing this game and I thought it was a really
neat idea, but after forty minutes we were still constantly looking at the rules and trying to figure out
what was going on. ... All of us were concerned we were doing something wrong and not playing by the rules.
Finally, I said, "Matt, you know, I have a suggestion on this." ... "Look, can I take the board out of the
game?" He said, "Fine," so I took the board out of the game, along with all the extraneous cards and markers.
When it was all done I said, "You've got this box of orange cards and this box of apple cards, so let's try
playing this way..." And we started playing. And pretty soon we were laughing so hard and having such a great
time, I was like, "Man, I want to make this game! It's not like anything I've ever seen before; it's just
raw fun. I don't feel like I'm going to lose. I have no problem following the rules."
If you like abstract games, Octiles would be a perfect addition to your game collection.
Publisher: Out of the Box Games
Designer: Dale Walton
Players: 2-4
Time: 30-90 min
Game Rules
Variants
More Reviews
|
|
Killer Bunnies & the Quest for the Magic Carrot
|
04/27/2003
|
Ages: 12 and up
# of Players: 2 to 8
Publisher: Playroom Entertainment
Designer: Jeffrey Neil Bellinger
Graphic Design: Jonathan Young
DESCRIPTION
Killer Bunnies is a fast paced, action filled card game, in which you must try to keep as many Bunnies
alive as possible, while eliminating your opponents' Bunnies. The problem: Your opponents are armed
with weapons and will stop at nothing to keep you from winning the game, which can get dreadfully vengeful,
horribly nasty, hilariously messy, and just plain fun!
Can you keep from being attacked by the whimsical Whisk or the torching Flame Thrower? Defend your Bunnies
with the Magic Spatula, or use a Feed The Bunny card to starve out an opponent! It's off-the-wall strategic
fun, where the goal is to survive and claim the Magic Carrot to win the game!
Check out www.killerbunnies.com for details.
REVIEW
If you're in the mood for a light and wacky game with a high luck factor, this is a great game. If you're in the
mood for something that requires strategic planning and deep thought, this probably isn't the game for you.
I played this game with both male and female players in their mid twenties to late thirties, and most of them enjoyed it.
It's definitely not just a kids game. Out of the 7 people I played the game with, 5 people liked it, and the other
2 just though it was okay. The ones that just thought it was okay tend to prefer more strategic games,
so keep that in mind. Even though I usually don't like games with a high luck factor, I actually enjoyed this one and
found the game entertaining and funny. It's not a classic, but it's a good light game that I would definitely play again.
Some of the cards are hilarious. My favorites are "While carrying an anvil, one of your bunnies stumbles upon a patch
of quicksand.", and "One of your bunnies is impaled by a stray lawn dart during a family outing."
Of course, they are much funnier when you can see the artwork on the cards.
The Good:
- The quality of the game components is excellent. The card are glossy, brightly colored, highly durable and have great artwork.
- The game moves pretty quickly, so there is not a lot of wait time between turns.
- It's easy to learn.
- The game can easily be adjusted to account for your tastes. For example,
-To change the length of the game just remove some carrot cards.
-If keeping bunnies alive seems far to difficult, just remove some weapon cards from the deck.
-Throughout the game you collect carrots. At the end of the game a random carrot is drawn and determines the winner.
One of the biggest complaints about the game is the randomness of determining the winner. For those of you who don't
like this, just have the winner be the player that collected the most carrot cards. Problem solved.
The Bad:
- The luck of the draw is a very big factor in this game, and if you draw bad cards you have almost no chance of winning.
One of the people I played with only got 2 or 3 bunny cards the entire game, which were killed almost immediately,
and if you don't have a bunny card down by the end of the game, you can't win!
Check out more reviews of the game at:
|
|
Aanshaw.com
