While at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington this past weekend, we stopped by the Steve Jackson Games booth to say hi, and the crew made our visit worthwhile! We got the full tour of what you can expect from SJG in the future, as well as the chance to play some of their more recent products that we’ve missed.

• Munchkin Zombies: The next major expansion in the Munchkin franchise will be cashing in on the zombie craze.  The cards exist, but in rough draft form and without any of John Kovalic’s iconic art.  Still, the set was being play tested during the show, and here’s an excerpt from Wil Wheaton‘s accounting of his game:

“One of my favorite moments was when Eric (that’s @thevowel) played an IRS Agent Wandering Monster on Andrew, who failed to run away, which caused him to lose his most valuable item … which was called “An Arm and a Leg.”


“Hey, the IRS Agent just caused Andrew to lose an Arm and a Leg,” I said, “just like real life.” There was much rejoicing.”

• Munchkin Santa’s Revenge: After putting out two booster packs last year (Fairy Dust and Waiting for Santa), the response has been positive, and the Steve Jackson crew will be putting out two more in the near future:  Santa’s Revenge and Reloaded, as well as more beyond those that could not be revealed.

  We got our hands on an advance copy of Santa’s Revenge which adds 15 additional Christmas-themed cards (mostly monsters and items), that work well with the original “Waiting for Santa” booster, but can be added to any Munchkin set independently.  Our favorite card was the Christmas Wrapping card, which is wrapping paper that can be worn over any armor for an additional bonus, or an even larger bonus if it’s the only thing you’re wearing! Generally speaking, $5 for 15 new cards is a good deal, and should allow the design team to continue exploring areas that may not warrant a full Munchkin release, so hopefully this line is here to stay.

• Zombie Dice in the App Store: There was an iPad on display showing off the newest incarnation of Zombie Dice, the hit game from PAX East.  Head on over to the app store right now for your free purchase.  An $0.99 in-game upgrade  will unlock smarter AI opponents, 8-person play, and additional sounds & animatinos.   The available on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
• Revolution!: Released back in 2009, we hadn’t gotten an opportunity to play this strategy board game, a departure of sorts from traditional Steve Jackson Games style.  This game was very entertaining as it used a blind auction mechanic to perform resource collection and area control manuevers.  Resources allow you to place better bids in future auctions, and controlling areas earns you victory points, but this game is just as much about bidding on the best action as it is predicting what your opponent will likely bid on.  The player who performs the most actions while overpaying for the least will end the game victorious.  The base game is 3-4 player, the a 5-6 player expansion, “The Palace” will be released this winter.

  

• Munchkin Swag: The Steve Jackson Games booth was loaded with some great freebies.  We walked away with Munchkin and Munchkin Cthulhu promo cards, including a card that involved the use of Cthulhu Dice in the Munchkin Cthulhu game!  There was also a promo room for Munchkin Quest, bookmarks promoting many of the SJG brands, and a variety of coins to use in each of the games.  The final great piece of swag was the giant plush chibicthulhu, which was given away as part of a raffle on Sunday afternoon.
• Munchkin the Video Game: There’s not much to say here other that it’s happening!  A screen at the booth displayed a teaser title image, and as soon as more information is available, we’ll report back on it.

Small, short, and easy to learn, Zombie Dice is a “pick up and play” dice game worth your attention.  Read on for the full review:

Just the Facts:

Players: 2+
Playing Time: 10-20 minutes
Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
MSRP: $13.13
Release: April 2010

Rating: ★★★★½ 

The Gameplay: On each roll of a zombie die, there are only three possible outcomes:

1. Brains: Score 1 point
2. Shotgun: Receive 1 strike
3. Feet: Roll again

The game uses a push-your-luck mechanic in tempting you to rack up as many brain points as possible before rolling three shotguns.  If that third shotgun appears at any point in your turn, then you receive no points and your turn is over.

Players begin by mixing up thirteen dice in a tumbler cup, and randomly pulling out three dice for their first roll.  After they roll these three dice, they set aside their brains and shotguns, and then have to make a decision: should they continue to roll more dice, or should they cash out their points?  If a player decides to push forward and continue rolling, they pick up any re-roll dice from the previous turn (feet), and then drop as many new dice into their hand as is needed to get back up to 3.

The strategy of this game lies in the color of the dice.  There are 6 green dice that only have 1 shotgun on them, 4 yellow dice with 2 shotguns, and 3 very deadly red dice, each with 3 shotgun faces (a 50/50 chance at a strike).  Knowing what dice are left in the tumbler is crucial to knowing what your odds are of surviving that next roll.  For example, if you have been rolling all greens so far, you may want to cash out, as you know your next three dice will be much more likely to deal a shotgun blast.

The Contents: Included in this game are 13 dice (6 green, 4 yellow, and 3 red), 1 rules sheet, and 1 dice shaker/storage tube.  The rules are extremely concise yet very easy to understand, and what little art it used in the packaging is very well done.

The only negative here is that players who get a bit too vigorous with their shaking of the dice cup will often unexpectedly pop the bottom cover off of the tumbler, sending the dice flying.  Since both red lids easily pop off, I recommend gluing one on if you have this issue.

Our Thoughts: For a dice game, Zombie Dice is just plain fun and is a great value.  Don’t get me wrong, I won’t ever call up a group of friends solely to play Zombie Dice.  However, once friends do start trickling in for a game night, this is the first game we will reach for while we wait.

In fact, this is the perfect “line game”.  What I mean here is that in modern geek culture, it seems as if everything we do involves waiting in long lines, whether they be for a midnight movie premier, release of a hot new piece of gadgetry, or admission into an event.  Throughout this entire process of waiting, you are surrounded by like-minded individuals who would love to play a few rounds of Zombie Dice to pass the time, only they don’t know about it.  The game is very portable due to its self-storing tumbler, and is easy to pick up and move with you, should your line be ever-so-slowly creeping forward.  Therefore, Zombie Dice is an easy choice to bring along in such situations, and for this reason alone, you should go buy this game right now.

Another reason for giving Zombie Dice such a high score is its value.  Taking a quick look at the most popular dice game, Yahtzee, where you will be asked to pay $10 for five traditional dice, a plastic cup, some poker chips, a score sheet pad, and some golf pencils.  For $3 more, you are getting thirteen custom dice.  I feel that this is a better product for the money spent.

Where to Buy: Zombie Dice is available for purchase directly from the Steve Jackson Games online store, Warehouse 23, for $13.13.  It is also available at other online retailers and of course, your fine local game store.

If your definition of a card game begins with poker and ends with the stuff you see in the toy aisle at Walmart, then I feel bad for you, because you’ve probably never played Munchkin. It’s a great game, and this is why you should start playing. 

The first thing you need to know is that Munchkin is FUN. The object of the game is to take your character from level one to level ten by winning battles against monster cards drawn on your turn.  This is no tedious exercise in taking turns around the table, though.  The rules of Munchkin afford players plenty of opportunities to interact (read: screw) with each other.  If a player is facing a particularly tough monster,  there is usually some fierce negotiation as the assistance of other players is bargained for.  However, don’t expect help if you’re getting close to winning.

As the group gets ever closer to level ten, the game becomes incredibly dangerous for players in the lead.   The Munchkin deck is stacked with ways to screw over the competition, and this prolongs the fun by keeping everyone in the game.  I can’t remember the last time I played a game of Munchkin where one player ran away to an uncontested victory.

The next thing you need to know about Munchkin is that it is HILARIOUS.  The goal of each and every card is to make you laugh, and by being filled with puns and jabs at the subject matter, Munchkin almost always succeeds. The standard edition of Munchkin is a parody of Dungeons & Dragons type role playing games, and lampoons all of the standard fantasy cliches.  Take a look at some of the cards to see for yourself :

Elves and Dwarves not your speed?  Munchkin has  a whopping EIGHT OTHER VARIETIES, one of which is sure to be a fit for you:

• Star Munchkin (sci-fi)
• Munchkin Fu (martial arts)
• Munchkin Bites (horror)
• Super Munchkin (superheroes)
• Munchkin Impossible (spy movies)
• Munchkin Cthulhu (HP Lovecraft)
• The Good, the Bad, and the Munchkin (westerns)
• Munchkin Booty (pirates)

Originally published in 2001, Munchkin has risen above the competition to become a card game juggernaut, spawning countless add-ons and expansions to each of these base games.

The final thing you need to know about Munchkin is that it is EASY TO LEARN.  As I mentioned earlier, you go up a level by defeating monster cards.  Here is how easy it is to resolve combat:  compare the level number printed on the monster card to your level.  Now add all of the little +2, +3, etc. bonuses  for cards you may have played on the table such as boots, armor, or weapons.  The one with the higher number wins.

Personally, I enjoy nothing more than a good card game or board game.  However, you need players in order to play!  Having easy to learn rules, enjoyable game mechanics, and an infusion of humor helps draw players in.  My wife would rather jump off of a bridge than join  a 5-hour Axis & Allies game with the guys, but she’ll fight for a spot at the table if Munchkin is being played.  That to me says a lot.

So you are ready to try Munchkin now?  Here are my recommendations:

• Munchkin (19th printing):  Just released in May, this new printing comes with clarified rules, updated card text, and a full-color print job.  It also includes a custom Munchkin die.  The release of this printing is a great new reason to become a Munchkin player!
• Super Munchkin: I find this version of Munchkin brings the funny particularly well to a diverse audience.  When you can’t expect everyone in the room to get a Dungeons & Dragons or Star Trek gag, you can always rely on a Batman joke.

Munchkin is available online direct from Steve Jackson Games at their Warehouse 23 store, at most Barnes & Noble locations, and of course, at your fine local game store.

(Be sure to read about our special Steve Jackson Games giveaway at the end of this review!)

Just the Facts:

Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 5-10 minutes
Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
MSRP: $4.99
Release: Q2 2010

Summary: Cthulhu Dice is a fast, easy to learn, and inexpensive dice game.  It also uses the Cthulhu property very effectively; every element of the game is styled around Cthulhu in some way.  This all adds up to make Cthulhu Dice a recommended purchase.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

The Gameplay:

For those not familiar with Cthulhu, it helps to understand the character a bit in order to appreciate how the game works.  Cthulhu is a fictional character, created by author H.P. Lovecraft, and written about most notably in “The Call of Cthulhu”.  Cthulhu is the high priest of an alien race, the Old Ones, said to rule the earth before humanity existed.  This legend has served as inspiration for many cults, who worship Cthulhu as a symbol of the insanity and mindless violence He will bring when he one day returns to reclaim this world.

Cthulhu is described as a green humanoid monster with wings, claws, and a face that resembles a squid.  Personally I think He looks like an ancestor of Dr. Zoidberg, but that’s just me!  In any case, Cthulhu has become ingrained in geek pop culture, and by Wikipeida’s count, has served as the inspiration for over thirty fictional works.  With that kind of backing, Cthulhu serves as great source material for this dice game.

In Cthulhu Dice, players take on the role of cultists, and play in a free-for-all style competition.  The introduction to the game rules summarize it best: “The servants of Cthulu are trying to drive each other mad.  The last sane Cultist wins.. unless Cthulu drive you all mad.”  Each player is given three sanity tokens, represented by green-tinted glass stones.

In one turn, the current player will select an opponent to target, roll a special 12-sided Cthulhu die, gain or lose sanity according to the result, and then have the opponent retaliate with a die roll of their own.  After this occurs, the turn is over and play continues to the left.  The possible results of a die roll are as follows:

• Yellow Sign – The target loses 1 sanity to Cthulhu (kept in the middle of the table).
• Tentacle – The current player takes 1 sanity from their target.
• Elder Sign – The current player gains 1 sanity from Cthulhu (taken from middle of the table).
• Cthulhu – Everyone loses 1 sanity to Cthulhu.
• Eye – The current player can chose from any of the above actions.

Play continues around the table until there is either a sole survivor, or everyone goes mad.

The Contents:

• One custom 12-sided die
• 18 glass beads
• One rules sheet
• One ziplock bag

The contents of this game have both an upside and a downside.  On a positive note, the 12-sided die is beautiful, and can be purchased in black, green, yellow, purple, or random color versions.  This is an example of a company going the extra mile to provide variety where they did not have to, and is therefore much appreciated.  The glass beads are standard, and are a good choice to represent player sanity.  The rules are printed on one double-sided sheet, and do a good job of quickly and concisely explaining the rules of the game.

Where Cthulhu Dice falls short though is the plastic ziplock bag.  I’m not sure how much it would have raised the price of this game, but I would gladly pay an additional two bucks to have this game come with a small drawstring bag to store the die and beads in.  As we’ve mentioned in past reviews, an important factor in evaluating a game is gauging how likely friends are to pick it up off your game shelf and want to play it.  Looking at Cthulhu Dice on the shelf, sitting in a plastic bag rather than it’s original blister pack retail packaging, it is easy to dismiss it as a sub-par game when it is really not.

Our Thoughts:

There is a lot to like about this little game.  Although it is short, players are never knocked out of the game, as even when individual players begin to go mad, they still are allowed to participate in the maddening of those who remain.  There is even a slight chance that mad cultists may be able to regain their sanity, so at no point is anyone ever left out in the cold.  It’s hard to judge the strategy and gameplay mechanics of this game, as it really has no peers.  It’s not an incredibly deep or complicated game, but where else can you get an enjoyable game for $5?  What can be said is that Steven Jackson Games has done just about as much as anyone could do in creating a full game out of one 12-sided die and a pile of glass beads!

Where to Buy:

Cthulhu Dice is not yet for sale, but should be released at some point in the next month.  It will be available direct through Warehouse 23, or can be purchased at your fine local game store wherever Steve Jackson Games products are sold.  It is also being released with a sister product, Zombie Dice.

Giveaway Details:

To celebrate the release of this new product from Steve Jackson Games, we here at The Modern Day Pirates will be giving away a copy of SJG’s most popular title: Munchkin!  This game, with included bobblehead figurine of the Munchkin mascot, will go to one lucky MDP reader.  To be eligible, you can enter by doing one (or more) of the following:

1. Follow @ModernDayPirate on Twitter
2. Retweet our announcement of this giveaway
3. Become a fan of The Modern Day Pirates on Facebook
4. Leave a comment on this below letting us know of a game you’d like to see us review next

Contestants can be eligible for up to three entries by completing several of the above actions.  Contest will be open through Sunday, March 28th.  Good luck and thanks for playing!

Disclaimer: The Modern Day Pirates were provided a complimentary review sample of this game.