by Moe Zilla

Created on: January 28, 2008

It's the sheriff against the outlaws, aided only by his deputies. This fun western theme adds extra wildness to a 2003 card game from Mayfair called "Bang!"

Each player gets a hand of cards they can play on their turn - some to attack other players, and some to give themselves extra powers. These cards continue the western theme, describing every action as something that would be found in the old west. (For example, "Draw two cards" is described as the arrival of a stagecoach, and "draw three cards" is "Wells Fargo!") The cards are beautifully drawn, and even won an award for their graphic design.

But before the game even starts, each player is assigned a character which also comes with its own unique powers. The characters also have western names like "Calamity Jane" and "Black Jack," and they're described on special "character cards" (that also include funny caricatures). Most importantly, each character's description specifies a certain number of bullets - signifying how many times they can be "shot" by another player before their character "dies" and is removed from the game.

The strategy begins when it's determined which of these characters will be the game's "sheriff." Roles are randomly assigned, with the sheriff getting at least one "deputy" to assist him, and one "outlaw" to challenge him. On their turns the outlaws attempt to shoot the sheriff by playing "bang" cards, but the sheriff can avoid their bullets by playing a "miss" card. If the sheriff takes five "bangs" without playing a "miss" card, he's been killed, and everyone who's an outlaw wins. But if the sheriff and his deputies can win instead by killing all the outlaws first.

The game can have up to seven players, with more "deputies" and "outlaws" filling out the ranks. Only the sheriff identifies himself, however. Part of the challenge is figuring out which of the remaining players are his secret deputies. And there's one more role - the "renegade." He wins by killing the outlaws, but then also killing the deputies and the sheriff!

I've played this game, and it's a lot of fun. Unfortunately, game play is limited to the few cards in your hand, which can be a little frustrating, since it usually leaves you with very few options. But the cards have funny drawings that invariably provoke jokes from the other players. Death can be staved off using a special card labeled "beer," and it's possible to antagonize the other players with a card labeled "dynamite!"

It gets you imagining the thrills of a reckless outlaw life. Which is what you'd expect from a game called "Bang!"

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