EXPLODING KITTENS by @gameofkittens
Take away the webcomic art and immature play style, and you’re left with Russian Roulette in card form.
This game is about being the last player standing, and how you avoid losing requires you dodge trouble, and do whatever it takes to send pain to your opponents.
You play as many cards as you want. Then, to end your turn, you draw a new card (unless you have a power card that allows you to skip this phase).
If the card is an Exploding Kitten, you’re out. Unless you have a one time Defuse card. But there aren’t that many.
This game divides gamers more than anything else I’ve seen. People either seem to despise it, or thoroughly enjoy it and recommend it to every person they know.
Full disclosure; I really like EXPLODING KITTENS.
My entry into modern boardgaming has two stages. EXPLODING KITTENS was the first. It got me hosting semi-regular games nights with friends where we’d play various party games and then always end on Kittens.
Rivalries were born in the heat of Kitten battle. Rivalries that would be carried over to each gaming meet up, even if months apart.
It’s been fun from the start, and the group I first played with had a lot of fun with it.
We have so many good memories. The expansion night where we included Imploding and Streaking, and the game lasted over an hour. Or the Streaking Kitten game where we knew someone had the Protection and a Kitten, so we just kept taking their cards.
Sure, some people may find the art and jokes immature. And not all players like elimination (I was once knocked out early, and waited 25mins for the next game). It can be very take that, as you are all against each other, so be prepared for short term alliances to form against you if you’re doing well.
A game that’s simple to teach to any level of gamer. It’s the silly fun you play between the larger games. It’s cute, crazy, and pretty much a classic.
Always Play Blue 