Munchkin - A Card Game

I always had this weird preconception about 'role-playing'. You know, the stereotypical DnD game.
I've always been into gaming - be it board game, card game, mind game. But never really considered role-playing games. Maybe because the stereotype comes with those guys with beards. Me being neither a guy nor a beard wearer.

A friend had told me about Munchkin but I didn't really understand what it was about. She had described it as a, 'role-playing game' and that had deterred me plenty! One day though, she got it for a birthday present so we 'fired it up' as we say in computer lingo. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in quite some time.

So, what is Munchkin? It is what I would describe as a, 'complex card game not for children'. That is, a card game for adults (not to be confused with an adult card game). Where does the 'role-playing' come in? Well, that's better explained by telling you what the game is about.

You are a 'munchkin'. No need to get into a mindset of a character - it's just you. You don't have to be the munchkin. You can play as a munchkin (for all you Cluedo players, it's just like picking Mrs. Peacock or Prof. Plum - it's just a character). You start at level one and the point of the game is to get to level ten.

You proceed in levels by beating monsters (NO DON'T GO TO THE BEARD MINDSET - KEEP READING) or using 'go up a level' cards. How do you beat monsters? Your level, plus any bonus cards you have (e.g. a type of sword, an item of clothing, etc) is your 'attack level' and this needs to be higher than the monster's level. Plain and simple.

This game is not to be described as, 'fast pace'. It is not like playing blackjack. It is more like playing monopoly. It is a 'longer' process of collecting things to pwn other players.

Of course, there are many nuances to the game. I've described it at bare bones. For instance:
- the game is HILARIOUS - references to the internet, games, and pop-culture are all over it
- you can team up with, or against another player (which is mean, but HILARIOUS)
- it is unpredictable (gameplay progresses by drawing a 'door card' and drawing 'treasure cards' when you beat a monster)
- it is different every time (cards = randomised play)
- it is EXPANDABLE! That's right, you can buy more cards for your deck. You can buy different versions of the game, which are compatible with each other also (see this cthulhu version, and this pirate version)

So, why this huge plug?

Due to the aussie dollar being so great, it is cheap to buy it from their online website. Shipping is a flat $12.00 so if you buy one of the games (the original game is $24.95) it is only going to cost you about $40 instead of paying $50 or so at the store. And of course, the more you buy the cheaper since shipping is flat.

Also, I would recommend getting card protector sleeves since these cards will be handled a lot and over time it can damage them. I picked some up at milsims - 100 for $2.62 + flat $5.50 shipping (I picked up 10 packs so it works out).

Another thing, when you buy these, the decks tend to get giant. I would recommend getting some plastic boxes which fit the cards so you can put them away properly. The website sells 'boxes of holding' but I dunno they are just cardboard you can pick up something like this which is readily available at the shops for a pretty nominal amount (e.g. $3 from kmart).

Anyway, something to do when the power goes out huh? What about nerd parties! Or, just some good old fashioned card playing fun. With pwning involved :)

Honorable Mentions

Firstly, a big shout out to sammiemantha who featured out chocobo scarf in her blog about Chocobo Halloween! You can see the article here.

Secondly, let's hit up some honourable mentions in the last quarter game release! (Fall Out Vegas has already been mentioned so will not be reviewing today~)

Kirby's Epic Yarn [Wii] - 19/10/10 [~$80]
Assuming that all the DS games were fairly 'meh', this game is looking to be pretty damn good! What do you need to know? It is a platform game and although it will be colourful and pretty, I don't think you will feel hugely challenged by this upcoming title if you are a 1337 gamer.

- No eating, only whipping (... liquorice whip!)
+ 'Boy and His Blob' shape transformation!
- No use of nunchuck (think Warioland - sideways remote with up/down tilting features)

Unfortunately for me after watching the trailer it just struck me as a combination of Little Big Planet (PS3), Yoshi's Story (N64) and New Super Mario (Wii). If you haven't played any of these games then you will be happy but if you have played all of these games, I'm not sure if this game will measure up!

View the E3 trailer here.

Epic Mickey [Wii] - 26/11/10 [~$55-$80]
Let me start off by saying - Mickey's half-brother is a rabbit? WTF? Anyway, think of Fable a la Disney and you will have Epic Mickey wrapped up in a nutshell. It is a platform RPG with a karma system.

+ Essentially a 'choose your own adventure' style game where what you do affects the game (albeit limited)
+ New concept of 'painting' and 'thinning' the world around you shaping the gameplay
- Hopefully all the worlds aren't as dark as the ones in the preview - I hate it when games are so dark like this. Give us some light and shade please! So we can appreciate the beautiful graphics
- I wish this game was in HD :(

Don't bother sitting through the E3 'game preview' trailer it was very very very boring. That guy talking - wow boring voice. To me, it looked a lot like Crash Bandicoot style game play in terms of camera angle, collecting, etc. I find this style gives me a headache after a while but you might be able to lock the camera.

Little Big Planet 2 [PS3] - 19/11/10 $60 Asia Region
This is one of those games that just puts a smile on your face from the word go. This game is not easy - but it is marvellous to play from the music, to the graphics, to the subtle humour - it is fantastic. It is one game that you can play with your friends (there aren't many out there) or by yourself with equal tenacity.

It is half tempting though to wait for the 'Game of the Year' edition which will have all the downloadable content for free on the disc (like LBP1 GOTY edition).

This game may have been pushed back to January 2011, speculatively because of 'PlayStation Move' features being incorporated into it. If they bundle it with the Move I will definitely get it. However at this point in time, having the Move is absolutely a waste of money IMO. I would also like to get my hands on the special edition pack which features a sackboy, bookends and free avatars, although if they release it in Australia is another story (guess I will have to get the US one - depends on the price).


View the official Sony trailer here.

The NEW Amazon Kindle 3G

This is by far the best ebook reader on the moment currently. The new kindle international version is available in black only. Access the more technical aspects at the amazon website.

PROS

• Free 3G internet pretty much anywhere in the world, plus wifi.
• Surfing the net, it is not like using a computer but the basics are there - gmail works including embedded pictures. Hey it is free do not complain.
• There is a built in dictionary and the storage capacity is 4GB.
• AZW, MOBI (unlocked), PDF, TXT - all work just peachy. Google MOBI books to find books compatible with the kindle which are not from amazon.
• The battery life is a gigantic one month without wifi card on or 8 days with it on.
• Cost is a crazy $230 AUD - excellent cheap and totally worth it.
• Read out loud feature - for the lulz.

CONS

• No memory slots but this is NOT A BIG DEAL as you can save your stuff on amazon, and then put it back on if you need
• AZW format means you must buy off amazon for books (epub from borders, A+R, etc will not be compatible) but hey, amazon is cheaper anyway.
• PDF reader is built in and works okay, but you wouldn't want to load a pdf book on there (think of using a magnifying glass to look at a page and scrolling using only d-pad config = not the best but not a better option either).
• Surfing the amazon website on the kindle is not friendly (does not display the price in the book list; you must select the book then it shows the price with the blurb) - best thing to do is purchase it on your computer and select, 'send to kindle'.