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View Full Version : A Critical look at Monsters Menace America


Da Black Gobo
04-26-2005, 10:52 AM
OK, I planned not to buy any AH games until the support issue of past games have been settled. But, after going to my local game store and seeing first hand the game and how it plays, I broke down a bought a copy.

Let me say first off, I own both versions of this game, and without a moments thought, I can say this version is superior in all ways to the earlier one. While it does have less monsters, the monsters in this set are much better balanced. The components of this version are far better, and you got to love those plastic monsters, tanks, misslelanchers, which were only cardboard counters in the original.

The new rule book is easy to read with many great illustrations and examples. This is how a rule book should be done. I can highly recommend this to all. Which is something I have not be able to do with some past games. While I would have liked to see at least one historical game per year, this game pleases me, due to its high production value, easy to play rules, and some interesting openendedness to satisfy the tinkerer in me.

For those that would like a tougher challenge for your monsters, allow the military unit to alway attack first. Another idea is to allow only a certain amount of coming back from defeat. Force the monsters after defeat to only be allowed to return to the game from thier lairs. Each time they do this place a token on the lair they returned from. A lair may then only be used once to return to the game. Since each monster has three lairs, then that is the max times they may return.

I hope this game continues to be given support. Things I would like to see are hopefully new monsters, they could use the lairs of ones already printed on the board. Also new cards for the military research, and possible new units.

All AH, please give concideration to expansions for this game, one idea would be Mars Menaces America, where martian forces enter the game from lair points and attempt to destroy America. In this version the Martian player would have air and land units, and either America survives the attack, or the Martian player with the most points wins. New cards for research againt the advance Alien tech for the Americans, along with cards that give help to the martian player, card that harm the other martians or human player and or reenforcements to the Martians. (think of it as a cross between Fortress America and MMA)

Kudos, AH for doing a first rate job, now let see you follow thru.........

TrimChris
04-26-2005, 01:12 PM
I'm glad to hear you liked this one. How long until Monsters Menace Japan?

admiral_yamoto
04-26-2005, 06:24 PM
YAY! Japan!!! and their would be a lot of dinosaurs!!!! ;) :D

nice to hear something positive about AH from black gobbo :)
how bout the mosters have to band to gether to fight the martians, and the military doesnt understnad theyre motives and tries to kikll them. and a lot of japanese people run around and scream and the americans come and blast everything and everythingdies and the dinosaur who saves earth from the aliens die and everyone cries ;)

Da Black Gobo
04-26-2005, 09:15 PM
Monsters Menace Japan (with the asia mainland) Monsters Menace Europe, would all be great additions. How about giant ants (THEM) popping up out of monster lairs? Sounds like there are many interesting ideas to explore.

TrimChris
04-26-2005, 09:29 PM
A board with the streets of Tokyo would rule. Something like Blood Feud in NY but with monsters.

V-Disc
04-28-2005, 08:18 AM
I picked up the game yesterday. My first impression is very favorable. Seems like there's lots of action; and very fun to play. I love the design & art work. I love it that a disabled monster has to go work in Hollywood as an attraction!....too much!

sherminator1
04-28-2005, 12:20 PM
Monsters Menace Japan (with the asia mainland) Monsters Menace Europe, would all be great additions. How about giant ants (THEM) popping up out of monster lairs? Sounds like there are many interesting ideas to explore.
Even better idea M&M pacific M&M europe and M&M revised!

TrimChris
04-28-2005, 12:53 PM
Even better idea M&M pacific M&M europe and M&M revised!

It's not M&M. And this release is actually MRA revised, Mr. comedian.

Scaboo
04-29-2005, 04:24 AM
I've played this game 3 or 4 times since buying it, and have had lots of fun each time. Not having played the original, I can't comment on any changes, but I do agree that the rulebook is very well organized and gives very clear, concise instructions. I like Da Black Gobo's idea of having military units strike first for a tougher challenge, although this would quickly send monsters to Hollywood much faster, but it also makes for a more exciting game.
cheers :)