[dc]F[/dc]riends invited Stephanie and I over for a game night last week. Yes, we do have those. Friends, I mean. And game nights, too.
We played the zany fantasy card game Munchkin (by Steve Jackson Games) which boils down role-playing games to its essence: kill monsters and get treasure.
Munchkin Deluxe by Steve Jackson Games. Image via Amazon.
There isn’t much role-playing exactly, although you do get to pick races and classes (ex: an elf thief). No, it is all about leveling up, getting better weapons, and killing more monsters than your pals.
I actually own the original version of Munchkin, and its pirate themed spin-off, Munchkin Booty (which always gets a chuckle when guests see it on the shelf).
Our friends own Munchkin Deluxe, which I highly recommend. The new included game board helps keep track of everyone’s levels (you win if you get to level 10), and kept the different card piles organized. Keeping an eye on every player’s level with my version was often difficult.
Prior to playing, we watched the Tabletop episode about Munchkin (recommended viewing for first time players, although they leave out a couple of things, like maximum hand size).
I like Munchkin, but it is overwhelming for newbies, like Stephanie on the night in question.
Plus, a lot of the game is luck and hoping your pals don’t screw you over (a major part of the game). This can turn off some more serious gamers who like thinking 13 turns ahead and what not.
Not me though. I enjoy Munchkin’s insanity. It’s a fun, casual game, and there’s great cartoony illustrations by John Kovalic and the cards are hilarious.
Stephanie eventually got the hang of Munchkin near the end. I was about to level up, and get closer to winning, and it hinged on Stephanie helping me—or not.
“Are you going to play a card or not?” I asked.
“Yes, but I haven’t decided if I want to help you or hurt you,” she said.
“Well, which is it?”
“It depends. How much treasure will you give me?” she said, looking at me over the top of her cards.
“One?” I offered.
“All of them,” she said.
“Two?”
“All of them. Or I hurt you.”
I sighed. “You’re the Suge Knight of Munchkin.”
