How to play the game Exploding Kittens, rules of the board game and a review from Know We Play? - briefly
"Exploding Kittens" is a strategic, high-stakes version of Russian Roulette. Players draw cards until someone draws an exploding kitten and loses unless they have a defuse card to avoid exploding. The game also features action cards like skip, attack, and shuffle. Know We Play reviewed the game favorably, highlighting its unique blend of luck and strategy that keeps players engaged and entertained.
How to play the game Exploding Kittens, rules of the board game and a review from Know We Play? - in detail
"Exploding Kittens" is a strategic, high-stakes version of Russian Roulette. The game combines elements of strategy, luck, and humor, making it an engaging experience for players aged 7 and up. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to play "Exploding Kittens," the rules of the board game, and a review from "Know We Play."
How to Play Exploding Kittens
Objective
The objective is to be the last player standing without drawing an Exploding Kitten card. The game can accommodate 2 to 5 players or up to 9 with expansion packs.
Setup
- Deck: Shuffle the deck of cards, which includes various action cards like Skip, Attack, Defuse, and the dreaded Exploding Kitten.
- Distribution: Deal four cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down as a draw pile.
- Exploding Kittens: Add one Exploding Kitten card for every player (e.g., 3 players = 3 Exploding Kittens). Shuffle these into the bottom half of the deck.
Gameplay
- Turn Order: Determine the turn order, usually starting with the youngest player.
- Draw Phase: On your turn, you must draw a card from the top of the pile unless you play a Skip card.
- Action Cards: You can choose to play action cards from your hand instead of drawing. These include:
- Skip: Make another player lose their next turn.
- Attack: Force another player to draw two cards.
- Defuse: Save yourself from an Exploding Kitten by discarding it and a Defuse card.
- Nope!: Cancel another player's action, preventing them from playing certain cards like Skip or Attack.
- Exploding Kittens: If you draw an Exploding Kitten and cannot defuse it with a Defuse card, you are out of the game.
- Last Player Standing: The last player remaining wins the round. You can play multiple rounds to determine an overall winner.
Rules of the Board Game
- Card Distribution: Ensure each player starts with four cards and that Exploding Kittens are evenly distributed in the bottom half of the deck.
- Turn Mechanics: Players must draw a card unless they play a Skip or if another player uses an Attack card on them.
- Action Card Limits: Nope! can only be played to cancel certain actions, not every action card. Defuse cards are specifically for Exploding Kittens.
- Winning Condition: The game ends when only one player remains. This player is the winner of that round.
Review from Know We Play
"Know We Play" offers a positive review of "Exploding Kittens," highlighting its unique blend of strategy and luck. The review praises the game's accessibility, with straightforward rules that can be quickly learned by players of all ages. The humor and quirky illustrations on the cards add to the overall enjoyment, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or casual gatherings.
The review also notes that while the core gameplay is simple, the strategic depth comes from managing your hand and anticipating other players' moves. The inclusion of action cards like Skip and Attack adds a layer of unpredictability, keeping each round exciting and engaging.
In conclusion, "Exploding Kittens" is an entertaining and strategically rich board game that combines luck, strategy, and humor. Its simplicity makes it accessible to all ages, while the strategic elements ensure that experienced players will find depth and challenge. The review from "Know We Play" underscores these strengths, recommending "Exploding Kittens" as a must-have for any game collection.