Monkey Arena
From: 3AM Games
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
Monkey Arenais a new board game from 3AM Games.
In this game you pick a monkey, enter the arena (a small 11.5″ X 12″ game board) , and “let the rumble begin in this wacky game of simian combat!” Cards determine actions and dice determine success or failure in combat. Each player gets his choice of 8 monkeys, all with special abilities of their own.
From the website: “Eight monkeys enter, one monkey leaves!”
During a turn, players move their monkeys around the board and play cards from their hands to attack, heal, or invoke events. The last monkey standing wins. Monkeys have a strength and a defense, all in terms of the number of dice the player rolls. On each side are the different states the monkey could be in if he is damaged – Dazed and Knocked Down.
During a turn a player can do one of many things including move 1 space, play a card, and reset from dazed or knocked down. Combat is fairly simple. Each side roles the number of dice and match them up. Each of the defender’s dice negate ALL the matching dice on the attacker’s roll. For instance, if the attacker rolls three 3s and the one of the defender’s die is a 3, then all three of the attacker’s 3s are negated. Any dice that do not match are counted as wounds. Very simple mechanic.
From website: “Anything goes in this hair-pulling, rock-throwing, no-holds-barred cage match. Sticks, slaps, rakes, and pokes are the means by which the alpha monkey will emerge from the melee.”
All players start out with five cards. There are Weapons, Items, Events and Attacks. Weapons include rake, broom, stick, and rock. Items are primarily for healing, and events are used against other players. There seems to be a very limited number and type of both items and events, but this leaves room for expansion.
The character in the game comes with the ability to do multiple attacks. Some cards allow that, and a player can potentially do a chain of attacks that pounds their opponent into the turf. Attacks like hair pull, poke, kick, and fling poo give the player many options for monkey brawling fun.
In conclusion, playing this game with a very goofy group is fun. It is simply a silly and fun game. It is also very quick and family friendly (except for the occasional mention of “poo”). It is a good game to kill some time or have at a party. There is also plenty of room for expansion. The card deck could use a little more variety, which would add to the fun. It is a good game with a fun and simple mechanic. I would recommend it to gaming and non-gaming friends.
For more details on 3AM Games and their new board game “Monkey Arena” check them out at their website http://www.3amgames.com, and at all of your local game stores.
Monkey Arena
From:3AM Games
Type of Game:board game
Game Design by: Ben Shanks
Art by:Alex McVey, Charlie Schultz
Number of Pages:4
Game Components Included:12-inch by 12-inch game board, 10 dice, 8 pawns, 8 monkey cards, 55 action cards, instruction sheet.
Retail Price: $19.95 (US)
Number of Players:2-6
Player Ages:13+
Item Number:3AM30101
Website:www.3amgames.com
Reviewed by: Ron McClung