[Card Game]: Cthulhu 500, reviewed by ShannonA (5/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10668.phtml

Shannon Appelcline's Summary:

A funny and well-designed card game combining Cthulhu & NASCAR racing.

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Chris Taylor at 2004-09-15 09:35:25
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Thanks for the review, I was interested in this due to the Cthuhlu theme.

How difficult would it be to house rule some better damage rules?

Post originally by Old_Scratch at 2004-09-15 09:51:12
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At first the damage rules don't make a lot of sense, but once you understand the idea behind it (being passed is a penalty to go back, being damaged is a double penalty) the game starts to make sense.

After the first or second game it makes sense. I wouldn't change the rules at all, although it is irksome at first.

Post originally by Shannon Appelcline at 2004-09-15 09:58:28
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And I'd just change them to the rules I suggested, which make sense with the rest of the game.

Shannon

Post originally by Frank Branham at 2004-09-15 10:41:57
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The row of cars racing game is a pretty common subgenre of racing game.

Examples are Stockers (early Warfrog game), Stock Car Championship Racing Card Game (This is a brilliant game, but the play is just a wee bit tedious), and Formula Motor Racing.

I know I've got 2 or 3 more, including a couple that add road conditions that affect passing.

Moo,
Frank

Post originally by Shannon Appelcline at 2004-09-15 11:30:12
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Heh. Not one I was familiar with, though I've looked at FMR at the shops a few times.

Thanks for the heads up.

Shannon

Post originally by Cedric at 2004-09-16 09:24:53
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Probably innovative by "beer and pretzel" standards. What other b&p racing games are there besides Mille Bournes and Formula De?


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

Post originally by Henry Vogel at 2004-09-16 11:31:21
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Wow, there's a LONG list of good, pretty simple racing games. These aren't all readily available in the U.S. (try online stores or eBay), but here are ones that I have and/or have played:

Formula Motor Racing has already been mentioned. It's from GMT. VERY light, plays quickly.

Formula 1 (or Formula One) - Out of print, originally from Wadington in the UK, released in the U.S. by Parker Bros. It's easy to find on eBay.

Daytona 500 & Detroit/Cleveland Grand Prix - Daytona 500 is out of print but easy to find on eBay. D/C Grand Prix is still in print from Mayfair. Both use the same card based mechanism to simulate racing. They're really more hand management, but the race theme is fun and works well.

Formula De Mini - As you'd guess, very similar to the original game. Smaller boards, somewhat simpler rules. I prefer it to the original.

Real Action Stockcar Championship (RASC) - Produced by the creator, this is a very simple stock car racing game. I have it but find the decisions involved to be trivial. It certainly fits the "beer and pretzels" lable, though, as you should be able to play it while drunk.

Fette Autos - German game thought he components are language independent. Almost certainly would have to get through mail order, but this is a fun, quick to play game. It also uses the static display used in Cthulu 500.

There are plenty of others, but this is quick overview. Check out the Boardgame Geek (www.boardgamegeek.com) for a LOT more racing games.

Henry

Post originally by darklite at 2004-09-19 07:05:19
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the game is dull; its too hard to overtake the lead car.