Ah exploding kittens, a pretty average game really. Its ok for what it is, but if it wasn't linked to the oatmeal no one would have given it a second glance. Still, fun enough for a silly game.
What? No love for Baby Dragon Bedtime! Nobody a fan? That game has been on my watchlist since before the 2nd edition has come out and I still can't get a copy! You literally can't walk into a big box store in the US and not be able to purchase like three different variants of Exploding Kittens (there's even like a Minions version IIRC(!)). Talk about the "furthest away", well, "here is a totally obscure light, fun family-weight filler card game that you won't be able to get your hands on even after they've put out a new edition." vs. a stranger walks up to you and says, "oh you said you play board games? I have a recommendation for you! Have you ever heard of this game 'Exploding Kittens,' someone showed it to me at an executive retreat/offsite, and it's a lot of fun, you should try it!"
"Recipes for disaster" is by far the definitive version. Exploding kittens is the perfect filler party game! If your guest are not up to a board game and want something light, they will love this game. Other light and very engaging party game I recommend if you like EK, is Coackroach Poker. Endless fun and so easy to teach and play.
We don't play it a lot, but usually have some fun when we do. We usually play with the imploding kittens expansion, but don't have any of the others. Not something we pull out at a group game night, but certainly fun with people who don't play a lot of games.
I love that you did a video for this game for your supporters. Games like Exploding Kittens tend to get ignored by many content creators even though they are popular. I was curious since I see it everywhere. Thanks! Your channel is great!
I was gifted this a couple years back but it doesn't get much play. When we're in that kind of mood or need a quick silly palette cleanser between bigger games we always seem to go back to Cockroach Poker
The issue with Exploding Kittens isn't the base game. If it was just the base game, I would chuckle through 15 minutes and then go on with something else even with its flaws of take that, king-making, and player elimination included. The issue with Exploding Kittens is that there are approximately 17 expansions that have turned this game into a rampant never-ending horror that can take upwards of an hour or more as players hoard dozens of cards... with take that, king-making, and player elimination. Being eliminated quickly when it's being played with expansions *sucks*.
"Recipes for disaster" comes with all expansions in one pack with 13 recipes (hence the name) that make the game so refreshing, with different play styles, match times and even variations for 2 players! By far is on my top 5 filler and party games. If you already have the expansions then you can find the recipes online in the official website.
It gets a lot of flack but I've always enjoyed it and it sits in my top 10 still. Like you say, it does exactly what it sets out to do. I've played and enjoyed it with gamers and non-gamers alike and it's so simple to teach. My only criticism of it is that the expansions don't work as well and can water the experience down and drag the game out. But base game is great fun. 👍
By the way, for people who might be watching this video as a guide on how to play (and for some reason not checking out the rulebook) you don't have to "play at least one card". You can pass, or play 0 cards.
I should be ashamed to say that I own the Kickstarter edition(*) and it's gotten so many plays that the battery that meows when you open the magnetic box is dead. I should be, but I'm not… When I was a kid our family played a lot of Uno which isn't too far from Exploding Kittens. There is no way I'd give either game a 10 on BGG, but if someone asked me to play either, I'm not turning that down which, according to the recommendations is like a 6 or 7. That puts it well above Munchkin or Monopoly, because I guarantee there are times I'm turning down those games for reasons that should be obvious. Among certain people, this game is a 10: they have a blast! I'm not them, but far be it for me to let my snobbishness poo poo on their parade. On the other hand, even though my copy is like 8 or 9 years old, and you shuffle/deal this game a lot. I still haven't bothered to sleeve it or the NSFW version which I got along with it. When my son is like 7 or 8 years old, I'll probably need to either buy another copy or sleeve it before then, because there is no way he's not going to a stage where this game is going to be played a lot… A LOT! (*) Yeah just me and just a quarter million other people. You're jealous, I know. :D
Played it around 3 evenings and can't imagine playing it again, the whole game is based on RNG basically with a little mind trick available. I recommend trying it once because that's when the fun is but not really buying it
If I remember correctly, the rainbow card comes from an expansion, so don't panic if you don't have it in your game. Edit: I might be a dumdum, as I can't find the rainbow expansion. I might already be senile. See you at the retirement house.
I've played this game once. I was the only sober one in the group (mostly cuz I hadn't gotten my drink out of my backpack yet.) The only thing I can remember about the game is we collectively agreed it was alright enough after the one round and that we were going to play Dominion next instead.
Were you playing with all the kittens mixed in? You’re supposed to use 1 per player minus 1. Playing with all of them would change the game a fair bit, iirc. But it’s been ages since I’ve played.
I still don't understand the attack card... So if I use that card the other player just play as usual and then they have one more turn? Can someone help me :/
This is appealing? I have no idea what Oatmeal is but this looks like a badly drawn Edward Gorey meets Munchkin (visually). Researching... Not surprised to see a connection to King of the Hill, which is also not my cup of tea, either. Enjoy it if you do, but blech for me.
The oatmeal is a massively popular webcomic series and books. Think of something like peanuts or garfield, but for the internet era. The game got nearly 220,000 backers on kickstarter, thats not $220,000 but 220,000 people backing a silly card game because it was the oatmeal. No game on BGG has half that many votes and exploding kittens got those numbers in 28 days. Heck, the game even has its own netflix tv show coming. It might not be to your taste, but hot damn is it popular.
Ah exploding kittens, a pretty average game really. Its ok for what it is, but if it wasn't linked to the oatmeal no one would have given it a second glance. Still, fun enough for a silly game.
Keep up this honesty it’s sadly missing in the field
And lo and behold, i followed it up with Sushi go party.
Recommending On Mars in an Exploding Kittens review was a stroke of genius.
Ha, cheers. I figured "whats the game furthest away from this".
Thematically, mechanically and geographically!
What? No love for Baby Dragon Bedtime! Nobody a fan? That game has been on my watchlist since before the 2nd edition has come out and I still can't get a copy!
You literally can't walk into a big box store in the US and not be able to purchase like three different variants of Exploding Kittens (there's even like a Minions version IIRC(!)). Talk about the "furthest away", well, "here is a totally obscure light, fun family-weight filler card game that you won't be able to get your hands on even after they've put out a new edition." vs. a stranger walks up to you and says, "oh you said you play board games? I have a recommendation for you! Have you ever heard of this game 'Exploding Kittens,' someone showed it to me at an executive retreat/offsite, and it's a lot of fun, you should try it!"
@@3MBG Indeed On Mars would be the far other side of the spectrum
Extremely glad to hear folks like BDB
I enjoy the logical next step in complexity to On Mars
"Recipes for disaster" is by far the definitive version. Exploding kittens is the perfect filler party game! If your guest are not up to a board game and want something light, they will love this game. Other light and very engaging party game I recommend if you like EK, is Coackroach Poker. Endless fun and so easy to teach and play.
By far one of the best boargame channels in this hobby. Thanks for reviewing all kind of games.
Yeah it's nice to see someone not automatically turn their nose up at games like this.
We don't play it a lot, but usually have some fun when we do. We usually play with the imploding kittens expansion, but don't have any of the others. Not something we pull out at a group game night, but certainly fun with people who don't play a lot of games.
I love that you did a video for this game for your supporters. Games like Exploding Kittens tend to get ignored by many content creators even though they are popular. I was curious since I see it everywhere. Thanks! Your channel is great!
I was gifted this a couple years back but it doesn't get much play. When we're in that kind of mood or need a quick silly palette cleanser between bigger games we always seem to go back to Cockroach Poker
Both are great fillers
The issue with Exploding Kittens isn't the base game. If it was just the base game, I would chuckle through 15 minutes and then go on with something else even with its flaws of take that, king-making, and player elimination included. The issue with Exploding Kittens is that there are approximately 17 expansions that have turned this game into a rampant never-ending horror that can take upwards of an hour or more as players hoard dozens of cards... with take that, king-making, and player elimination. Being eliminated quickly when it's being played with expansions *sucks*.
Ah, not played with any of them. But this seems like a game that was pretty well balanced for what it is, expansions would only muddy that up
@@3MBG the first expansion imploding Kittens is actually very nice but having seen what else they have put out doesn't look nearly as good
One could argue that getting eliminated wouldn't suck in a 1 hour game... in fact, in my book, that would probably be my early win condition.
"Recipes for disaster" comes with all expansions in one pack with 13 recipes (hence the name) that make the game so refreshing, with different play styles, match times and even variations for 2 players! By far is on my top 5 filler and party games. If you already have the expansions then you can find the recipes online in the official website.
One of the top 5 most popular games in our cafe.
Not remotely surprised at that. "Serious gamers" turn their nose up at it, but its hella popular
Was a fan of The Oatmeal so picked this up when it originally came out in retail. It’s a fun one to play with my 7 year old 👍
It gets a lot of flack but I've always enjoyed it and it sits in my top 10 still. Like you say, it does exactly what it sets out to do. I've played and enjoyed it with gamers and non-gamers alike and it's so simple to teach. My only criticism of it is that the expansions don't work as well and can water the experience down and drag the game out. But base game is great fun. 👍
By the way, for people who might be watching this video as a guide on how to play (and for some reason not checking out the rulebook) you don't have to "play at least one card". You can pass, or play 0 cards.
But you always must finish your turn by drawing a card, unless specified by the card you just played.
Fair, i did say must didnt i. oops
For an alternative to this and Unstable Unicorns I recommend checking out Psycho Killer the card game.
I should be ashamed to say that I own the Kickstarter edition(*) and it's gotten so many plays that the battery that meows when you open the magnetic box is dead. I should be, but I'm not…
When I was a kid our family played a lot of Uno which isn't too far from Exploding Kittens. There is no way I'd give either game a 10 on BGG, but if someone asked me to play either, I'm not turning that down which, according to the recommendations is like a 6 or 7. That puts it well above Munchkin or Monopoly, because I guarantee there are times I'm turning down those games for reasons that should be obvious.
Among certain people, this game is a 10: they have a blast! I'm not them, but far be it for me to let my snobbishness poo poo on their parade.
On the other hand, even though my copy is like 8 or 9 years old, and you shuffle/deal this game a lot. I still haven't bothered to sleeve it or the NSFW version which I got along with it. When my son is like 7 or 8 years old, I'll probably need to either buy another copy or sleeve it before then, because there is no way he's not going to a stage where this game is going to be played a lot… A LOT!
(*) Yeah just me and just a quarter million other people. You're jealous, I know. :D
Another silly one in the same vein my kids love is Bears vs babies, similar concept but has a tableau building mechanism.
Same people i think
@@3MBG it would make sense similar mechanics, artwork and vibe
Played it around 3 evenings and can't imagine playing it again, the whole game is based on RNG basically with a little mind trick available. I recommend trying it once because that's when the fun is but not really buying it
Pretty much, but games like this and Uno have sold so many copies to casual gamers its not even funny.
we used to play this in my break room with my coworkers ... I gotta say we had a BLAST 😏😏
If I remember correctly, the rainbow card comes from an expansion, so don't panic if you don't have it in your game.
Edit: I might be a dumdum, as I can't find the rainbow expansion. I might already be senile. See you at the retirement house.
Nope, dont own that expansion so its unlikely
Fun for 3 games then get rid of it
Depends if you have kids. I know folks with kids who's sets have been absolutely played to death.
My friend with kids says he begs them to play BDB instead but explosions are more fun for six year olds
I've played this game once. I was the only sober one in the group (mostly cuz I hadn't gotten my drink out of my backpack yet.) The only thing I can remember about the game is we collectively agreed it was alright enough after the one round and that we were going to play Dominion next instead.
I think for folks who love dominion, thats fair. For more casual crowds and kids, perhaps not
So this doesn't teach skills the way that Snakes and Ladders does?
If you've seen my review of Snakes and Ladders you'll know the skills i think it teaches are divine blessings and telekinesis. So no :)
How about exploding Minions?
Not played it sorry
Were you playing with all the kittens mixed in? You’re supposed to use 1 per player minus 1. Playing with all of them would change the game a fair bit, iirc. But it’s been ages since I’ve played.
The example game shown in 5 player, so 4 kittens.
I still don't understand the attack card... So if I use that card the other player just play as usual and then they have one more turn? Can someone help me :/
Correct, which means you dont have to draw a card. Drawing a card is a chance at losing
@@3MBG Oh okay good thank you so much for responding me 😊
The best thing about this game is not playing it.
lol
This is appealing? I have no idea what Oatmeal is but this looks like a badly drawn Edward Gorey meets Munchkin (visually). Researching... Not surprised to see a connection to King of the Hill, which is also not my cup of tea, either. Enjoy it if you do, but blech for me.
The oatmeal is a massively popular webcomic series and books. Think of something like peanuts or garfield, but for the internet era. The game got nearly 220,000 backers on kickstarter, thats not $220,000 but 220,000 people backing a silly card game because it was the oatmeal. No game on BGG has half that many votes and exploding kittens got those numbers in 28 days. Heck, the game even has its own netflix tv show coming. It might not be to your taste, but hot damn is it popular.
@@3MBG I don't doubt it. Thanks for the back story. I a millennial or an alpha. Cheers!
My friend got this and it was one of the worst games I've played. I don't understand why people are still buying it.
Lol, because its simple and silly? Uno has sold more copies than any game on the BGG top 100 for much the same reason. Most folks like simple
or to put it another way, its the board game equivalent of pop music. Most of it is pretty awful but its popular still.
@@3MBG just my opinion.
Oh for sure, and i somewhat agree. Its a game i'd really only play with kids for the most part. But its also utterly harmless.