Attack of the Jelly Monster
Attack of the Jelly Monster is a game by Antonin Boccara where up to 5 players compete in a race to roll dice to clean up the most goo.
Components
The game comes with 5 sets of 7 dice, along with 5 player screens, a round tracker, and a timer. There are 110 tokens; 80 are jelly tokens in units of 1, 5, and 10, and 30 are jelly pod tokens. The main board is made of 3 nested rings, and there are 8 double-sided district boards to attach to them.
Many of the components are small and easy to lose, especially when you’re trying to do everything as fast as possible. There were multiple instances where we had to pause the game because someone lost a die or knocked a token off the table, which took a lot of time to find because they’re so small. If you play this game, do yourself a favor and don’t play next to anything with a small gap under it that would be inconvenient to move, like a cabinet or a couch.
I actually really like the box. Everything fits in pretty nicely and it feels only as big as it needs to be to fit all of the components. There’s no insert, which means things aren’t super organized and could be a downside for some, but I think it’s fine for this game.
How to Play
Players are given a set of seven dice, a player screen, and two jelly tokens. When the round begins, each player simultaneously races to place dice in various districts in an effort to have the highest score and get that district’s reward. First they roll all of their dice, then they select one die to place, then roll all of their dice again. Some dice values allow you to use a special power. If the dice you play has a one or a two, you can move any player’s dice into the city in the center of the board. If it has a three or a four, you can move that district’s tracker slide which changes the reward for winning the round. When a player has placed all of their dice, they can use their player screen to lock down a district so no other player can play dice there. A player who runs out of dice can also flip the timer, so all other players only have 10 seconds to place the rest of their dice. When all players have placed their dice or the timer runs out, the round is over and scoring begins. Scoring for each district is based on the sum of each player’s dice value, while the city district is scored based on the number of dice. Players are awarded jelly accordingly. Then the players rotate the board and start the next round. After four rounds, the game is over and the player with the most jelly wins.
Thoughts
The game isn’t very complex, and it isn’t trying to be. That’s not a bad thing; sometimes you just want a simple game that you can get into quickly without having to explain a lot of rules. However, it ends up kinda falling into this awkward place where it’s a little too complex to be explained quickly but not complex enough to be really engaging. This isn’t gonna win over your older relatives who don’t really get the whole board game thing, but you also can’t play it with younger kids, either. It’s recommended for players 8+. A big draw for rules-lite games is being able to play them with younger relatives who may not be ready for stuff like Dead of Winter or Fury of Dracula.
The theme is paper-thin. This game could just as easily be about holiday shopping or mining without any substantial mechanical changes. The titular jelly monster is not really present in any way, which is disappointing. Because the mechanics are so disconnected from the theme, this game could have actually been about fighting the monster, but instead you’re just a glorified cleanup crew.
The speed aspect is fun. It’s an enjoyable level of chaos, and there’s definitely something thrilling about getting to flip the timer and watch the other players panic.
Verdict
I give this game three out of five cthulhus. It’s not bad, but it’s not very good, either. There are better speed games out there with much stronger themes. You can check it out at the Amazon link below, but remember that we are an Amazon affiliate and if you buy anything from the links provided we will get some $ back.
(3 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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