Cost:$18.00 From: Jolly Games, 3236 Peacock Lane, Santa Maria CA, 93455 Players: 2-4 (up to 6 with expansion set) Playing Time: 15-90 minutes Type of game: Beer and pretzels Complexity: 8 Skill level: 7 Chance Level: 6 Overall: 10 Reviewed by: Peter Sarrett, Issue 1.1, June 1992
The king of all beer-and-pretzels games, Wiz-War is an ever-changing contest pitting 2-4 wizards against each other as they vie to become the first to steal two treasures from other players and return them to their home base. To accomplish that goal, players have a multitude of spells (cards) at their disposal. Players may have a maximum of seven cards in their hands at any one time. There are five kinds of cards: Attack Spells, which allow wizards to injure or interfere with other wizards; Counteraction Spells, which defend against Attacks; Neutral Spells which don't harm other wizards but may help the caster; Magic Stones which give the bearer special abilities; and Number Cards. Number cards may be used to augment the power or duration of Spells, or to increase a wizard's movement. Players take turns moving through a maze trying to pick up other players' treasures while protecting their own from being stolen. You win if you get two treasures to your home base, but you lose if both of your own treasures get stolen by other wizards. You can also get killed if you're not careful, in which case you're out of the game. The wide variety of spells in the deck causes unpredictable changes during the game, making each game different and exciting. Wiz-War has broad appeal-- we taught the game to a bunch of people at work, some of whom never play games, and all of them loved it. The effects of the spells keep the game moving and players laughing. Strategy and alliances can be crucial in turning the tide in your favor, but you never know what surprises another player might pull out of his secret arsenal of spells. Equally entertaining with any number of players, Wiz-War is a game you'll come back to again and again. An expansion set is also available, adding new spells, Monsters, and Magic Sticks to the fun as well as equipment for two more players-- heartily recommended.