'Killer Bunnies' the perfect pre-studying game
By Kristin Nehls, Staff Writer
March 19, 2008 | 6 a.m.
In a world of magic spatulas, timid bunnies and “very special” playing cards, the card game "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" is a perfect outlet for stress in this gruesome final stretch of winter quarter.
With a cult-like following for games such as "Dungeons and Dragons," "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" is the gaming industry’s best-kept secret. The objective of the game is simple: each player must keep his or her Bunny Cards alive. This proves difficult, given the fact that players are simultaneously trying to kill their opponents’ Bunny Cards with their own Weapon Cards.
Throughout the murderous pandemonium is also the important aspect of collecting Carrot Cards, as one Carrot Card will be determined as the “Magical Carrot” at the end of the game. Each player must have at least one surviving Bunny Card at the game’s completion in order to be eligible to win the Magical (winning) Carrot.
One of the more hilarious aspects of the game is the many weapons by which it is possible to get killed. Ranging from torching flamethrowers to magic spatulas, each player will throw down any possibility of harmful objects with the intention of killing other players’ bunnies. The satirical and unconventional selection of weapons is a unique aspect of the game that gives it a distinct personality.
Other possibilities to condemn opponents stem from the “Feed The Bunny” cards, which force players to buy Cabbage and Water at the Kaballa Market. Because a bunny will die if a player also does not maintain its bunny’s diet of Cabbage and Water throughout the game, a player’s money is vital; when it is spent as a consequence of a Feed The Bunny card, a player could fall into a debt that does not allow the purchasing of supplies later in the game when they are more crucially needed.
While not a collectible, "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" has more than 11 booster packs, each of which becomes immediately essential upon the fast-growing addiction that this game is sure to incite. Booster packs include different cards, new dice, and addition rules to cater to the introduction of new cards.
The game’s newest and most highly anticipated addition, “Journey to Jupiter,” is expected to be released within the next few months. This new booster will be premised in space, incorporating details such as “Flax Energy Nets” and “Cosmic Calamities,” according to the game's release page.
The biggest downside to "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" is its complexity. For a beginner, the many different elements to the game can be confusing and overwhelming. Because of the game’s fast pace, if paired with regular players, beginners have a tendency to be initially dumbfounded, and can quickly fall behind in a state of confusion.
Additionally, with five different categories of cards, ranging from “aggressive” cards to “very special” cards, five different personalities of Bunny Cards (which ultimately serve as suits), and the incorporation of dice, an unfamiliar party guest cannot simply jump into the game. "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" requires explanation and elaboration, which certainly grows agitating considering the numerous different elements of the game that need explanation, as is illustrated by the game’s 30+ steps on the “How-To” portion of its Web site.
Strategy, however, overrides any possible downfall that this game may encompass. Beginner or not, a player can gain Carrot Cards and deplete his opponents’ bunny population by a simple application of logic and reasoning. This game is, quite literally, all about playing the cards right, and given the hilarity and distinction of each individual card and the game’s sense of timelessness, "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" is sure to endlessly entertain.
The most alluring feature to the game is its comprehensibility; whether it is a family gathering or a “breaking the ice” activity, "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot" is not only more appropriate than beer pong, but also easily adaptable to any social environment. Despite the game’s initial complications, once the rules are understood, anyone is capable of playing, whether they frequent the gaming scene or not. There is even a version of the game for players between the ages of five and twelve called "Kinder Bunnies," which makes this game appropriate for any demographic.
The back of the game’s box sums up "Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot” accurately when it says the game "can get dreadfully vengeful, horribly nasty, hilariously messy, and just plain fun!”
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"Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magical Carrot"
Speakeasy Rating: A-
Publisher/creator: Pegasus Spiele and Playroom Entertainment
Genre: Dice and Card
Ages: 12+