Munchkin....

So we own a lot of Munchkin versions...we have played a lot of versions.  There are some great ones out there and this is just a fun game as the cards are plain silly.  For us, one main issue is that this does NOT play well at two player.  So we don't play it a lot on our own because, well, why...there are so many games that DO play well at 2 and this isn't one of them.  What this is is a great game for a group. We've just recently played this is twice with 6 players and once at 4.  This reminded me of why I enjoy the game. That it is very fun in a large group where you can take turns helping/hurting each other's character. You also see a lot of cards, which is nice, as they are half the fun.  We played Cthulhu, Star and Christmas. 

What I was reminded of tonight (Star Munchkin in case you were wondering) is one thing I don't like about the game, at any level.  That eventually you are all at about 8 and 9...and someone will win...and it is just a waiting game on who it is because you are waiting for someone to get a low enough monster that no one can stop them...and the game often goes on a round or two more than it "needs" to while you wait for this to happen.  And most of the table is just wanting SOMEONE to win, they don't care who anymore....and that isn't fun. So for me, the first 90% is super fun...and the last bit is just kind of like "get it over with." I wish there was a way to get rid of that last little bit. 

Catan and Catan Histories

We recently played Catan, the Ancient Egypt edition.  Now I like Catan...Ray doesn't. It isn't that he hates it, just that he feels it is too long for what it is (for instance with 4 players, Egypt took us 3 hours).    I like base Catan and I enjoy the various expansions (I think the seafarers one is pretty cool), but I really enjoy the historicals.  So I wanted to tell you about the ones I like/don't like of those. 

Now Trials to Rails (the American one)...I want to like this one. Seriously, I did.  But I don't. It is long and repetitive and the mechanics just weren't well thought out/executed.  There are some cool features, but it just isn't that good.  We ended up selling this one.  From what I've seen/heard, the European one (Merchant of Europe) seems to be very similar, so I haven't even tried it.

We do have Struggle for Rome, which I really like. I like that there are two stages of the game...you are wandering, then settle down. I think this really helps and makes this a cool, and unique, version.  I think this is worth picking up and trying.

I also think the new Ancient Egypt one is as well.  Now this comes with the base game in essence, but I have no idea why you'd want to play it. We did the Great Pyramid one and that was fun. I like the addition of the Nile, the God cards, the Great Pyramid.  My biggest "beef" with the game is that the components just aren't up to snuff...and given the price point, they should be.  So that was a major disappointment...the Great Pyramid was well....pathetic. 

My husband's (who doesn't like Catan much as mentioned) favorite is Catan Germany, which was one of the Geographies.  I think the rest ended up just being maps. The production value here is EXCELLENT and the game is fun, the landmarks are just cool and the map is very true to Germany. 

We also have a few random maps, which are just fun to have around. 

We also have played Star Trek Catan and have the extra maps, really this is just a re-theming, no new additions. 

There are two card games: Rivals and Struggle. Rivals is just two player and has a TON of expansions. My biggest beef is that this pretty long and takes a TON of room to play. I like it, but I wish it wasn't so cumbersome to set up/play.  Struggle plays 2-4 and is much more compact....this is the one we still own (we gave the other to my brother). It is fast version of Catan and relatively simple to set up/play.