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(More customer reviews)So I'm wandering through my local bookstore and decide to check out the Young Adult shelves, and I stop dead in my tracks. "Seriously?" I ask myself, "No, really. Seriously? A Hunger Games board game?" But there it was. My eyes gave proof to the reality. My friends, it is true: there is a Hunger Games board game. Why does it exist? The cynic in me acknowledges that with the final book due to hit shelves later this month, the games arrival in stores (along with t-shirts and mockingjay pins) is hardly a coincidence.
If you haven't read the books, don't bother with the game. It's not for you. If you have read the books, then whether or not this *is* for you depends on how much you like the books. I consider myself to be an avid fan, yet I purchased it primarily out of curiosity. It's inexpensive as far as games go ($20) and it certainly wouldn't be the worst impulse purchase I've ever made.
But the game. Yes, the game.
"The Hunger Games: Training Days" itself does not involve the arena, but -- as the title suggests -- focuses on the days of training. Predicably, you assume the role of a tribute from one of the districts of Panem. The winner of the game is the one who finishes training with the most popularity with the Capitol audience. Each round, several "event" cards are turned up. These can be straightforward (Show off your knot-tying ability), to forging an alliance with another tribute (thereby gaining some of their talents), to special (opening ceremonies, the reaping). After the cards have been turned up, players will take turns bidding on the event they want. Win an event, and your favor with the capitol audience rises. Fail to win the event, and your effort goes wasted.
Ultimately, I admit that I found there to be genuine strategy to it. There were many times when there's the "safe" play of devoting yourself to winning a single card, but...if you play things just right, it's possible to take them all. Of course, if that goes wrong, you may end up with nothing. There were some turns I spent considerable time thinking about my play. I enjoy games that make me think, and consider that to be a mark in this game's favor.
Unfortunately, there are some flaws. The tributes are not at all balanced. (Hint: You want to be the female tribute from District 12) I can understand wanting to maintain integrity with the book, but as Katniss so often mentions during her time in the arena, the Hunger Games are hardly fair. I wouldn't go so far as to call the game unfair, but it certainly isn't balanced. As an example: each tribute has certain events that they can claim automatic victory. However, some tributes (such as the female from 12) can do this for cards that are significantly more valuable than the cards other tributes are able to win.
The other flaw with the game is the font and type size on the cards. It is very difficult to read the cards from any distance greater than 12 inches. They are fine when the cards are in front of you, but since many of your decisions will be influenced by the cards that others possess, expect to spend *alot* of time asking "What does that card do?" and "Can I see that again?" Also, though the game indicates 2-6 players, try to bring 4 to your first session. That's really where the best balance appears to be.
In the end though, I enjoyed the game, and will play it again. It's a novelty item: better than some I've seen, but not the worst either.
The choice of whether to pick this up depends entirely on your level of fandom. Really, you probably made the decision the moment you realized the game existed. I will say this though -- if you're thinking about picking this up, get it soon, as I can't imagine this game will be in print for very long. If you do pick it up, well then....good luck, and may the odds ever be in your favor!
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From the best-selling book comes The Hunger Games: Training Days Strategy Game! Coinciding with the release of the third book in the Hunger Games saga this fall, Training Days allows 2-6 players to follow in the footsteps of their favorite Tributes as they compete in the days leading up to the arena. Includes 18 Tribute Cards representing the female and male Tributes from 9 districts, a deck of 45 Challenge cards featuring: 24 Events, 8 Special Events, 10 Alliances, and 3 End of Day cards. Plus, Effort Tokens for each District, Approval Rating Score Board, and 6-sided dice.
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