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Ketch
December 6th, 2006, 11:45 AM
Note this is a review of 2nd edition.

We have a large group of friends that doesn't mind playing a nice board game every once and a while.
Though Mag Blast is a card game, I call them all board games anyway. It was created by Fantasy Flight games (lets you know the game will be quality).
I picked this game up over a year ago, and anyone who plays is addicted.
It takes 10-20 mintues, sometimes less, even with 8 people.

It's a free for all ship to ship battle game based on cards. It's in your face, mostly luck based, and there is NO sense in defense or waiting, you go all out. It really lives up to its motto "Screaming space battles".

My favourite parts are:

Its great for a large group, and has some controllable strategy, but luck of the draw on the cards can make a half decent player win.

Its easy to come back and win even if you're inches away from death

They have a rule, you must make a sound effect when you use a "Blast" card or else it misses.

It's fast! We play 2-8 games in a row almost everytime.

Replay is incredible because its short and different every time. There are 10 different race cards, which you randomly give out. This helps make it different. Its for 8, but we've done 10 people anyway (Cards run out quickly).

You can change the rules easily. We made it so you get 2 flag ships instead of 1, and it was kinda crazy.

Some things to remember while playing are... if you die before taking even 1 turn, don't fret, you'll get them back next game. People who can't handle losing outright should not play. My first 2 games I was an observer 90% of the game, I was like NOOOOooOoooo.. But I quickly realized this game is not meant to last long.

Downsides... well its hard to say there are any. The game doesn't pretend to be anything, and its so good at what it wanted to do. I would have to say I would have just like to have MORE cards, its not expandable, I kind of like that, because I hate collecting because it costs $$$. I like having the whole game it was meant to be sometimes. HS is the only thing I do that with.

The game is $20 CAD, so cheaper in the states probably, and worth every penny.

They just released 3rd edition this year, and the artwork is redone to look like Munchkin (if you've ever played it).
It does match the style of game play more, but I like the old artwork better.
They redid the rules a bit and added more cards. I am tempted to get it, but I am so happy with 2nd edition, and my friends may disown me, so I may not get it.

I give this game a 9/10, largely because it deserves such a great score for its genre (which I could not pinpoint anyway). And if you don't like it.. well then I'll just play a critical hit and then catastrophic damage on YOU!

LilNewbie
December 6th, 2006, 12:08 PM
I agree. This game is a fun, quick game for bigger groups. In fact, the game gets more enjoyable with more players imo. Nice review, Ketch.

Newb.

TheMightyAargh
December 8th, 2006, 04:46 PM
Oh, I played this with Jazz not too long ago!

I agree, really good game. Easy to pick up and lots of repeat playability.

Great review!

justjohn
December 8th, 2006, 05:16 PM
I won the first edition of this game at the DFW Tournament, and I love it. My wife doesn't, so we don't play it that much. I know the 2nd edition has new cards and mechanics, but I don't think I can justify buying a second copy of a game that we already have, and that she doesn't like.

I've looked at the 3rd edition, and I don't like what they did with the artwork, at all. Oh well. 2nd edition looks like the way to go.

Ketch
December 8th, 2006, 05:19 PM
Oh, I played this with Jazz not too long ago!

I agree, really good game. Easy to pick up and lots of repeat playability.

Great review!

Yeah, I hooked JAZZ on this with HALF a game...
haha
JAZZ is funny...

madmuppet
December 12th, 2006, 02:46 PM
We've been enjoying the card game Bang! A western themed game where you shoot at each other. Players are assigned "teams", but the other players don't know what side you're on until the shooting begins (and sometimes they still won't know for certain....).

Sounds somewhat similar to this game, although games probably take slightly longer (20-40 minutes I'd say).