Mozkožrout Card Game Review

There are surely many of you who love card games. It doesn't matter if you've played classic card games, collected Pokémon cards, or fallen into the worlds of Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone. Most card games share one thing in common: you need a mix of skill and luck to win, and it's hard to have one without the other. However, a game called Mozkožrout has just hit our shelves, and it might change things up a bit.

Mozkožrout is a game by four authors from the Nerdlab studio: C. Kudahl, M. Hegen, R. Garfield, and S. Elias, published in Czech by REXher. This charmingly small box is designed exclusively for two players aged 8 and up, with a playtime of about 15-30 minutes. Inside, you'll find a deck of 52 cards, 2 life counters, and the rules.

What caught our eye first is the artwork. The cards feature a cheerful and playful style, depicting hybrids of two or more animals with funny names. This resulted in creative combinations that the publisher managed to adapt into our language quite cleverly. Card names like Gorilev (Gorilla-Lion), Sovouk (Owl-Spider), or Drakomýžď (Dragon-Snail) are excellent.

How do you play?

The rules are written very clearly on just a few pages, and even a beginner will understand the game in a few minutes. Before starting, each player gets 2 "Mozkožrout" (Brain-eater) cards, and the remaining 48 cards are shuffled. Then, each player draws 10 cards to form their deck. Set your life counters to 3, and you're ready to go. The goal is to defeat your opponent by reducing their life to zero. On your turn, you can perform two actions: play a monster card from your hand to the table, or attack with one monster already on the table. If you attack, the opponent chooses whether to defend with their own monster or take the damage. Much like in Magic: The Gathering or Hearthstone, every monster has a certain strength and a unique ability. These are compared during an attack to determine which monster dies and which stays on the table. Some abilities trigger upon being played, others during an attack, and some in later phases of the game.

You can't really say one card is better than another in this game. Each one fits a different situation, and you have to think about which moment is best for each card. If you still don't have the cards to beat your opponent, don't give up. Each player has 2 alien monster cards—the Mozkožrouts—that can change the course of the game.

If your opponent plays a monster that you're struggling to deal with, or one that has a very useful ability, you can play a Mozkožrout card. This lets you steal the monster for yourself and place it in your own row. After using a Mozkožrout, it's your opponent's turn again. You have two Mozkožrouts available. Timing is key—if you use them too early or too late, you'll likely be defeated.

Our impressions?

• Thanks to its small size, you can toss Mozkožrout into your backpack and play it practically anywhere.
• The production quality and illustrations are top-notch.
• The variety of cards is a clear advantage. Plus, the publisher recently announced an expansion, so you don't have to worry about it getting stale.
• Rounds are very fast. A single game doesn't take longer than half an hour. Of course, it depends on the players—the more experienced they are, the longer the game lasts.
• If players don't draw ideal cards and don't think their turns through, the game can be over in just a few minutes.
• Even though the design might look a bit childish, don't be fooled—it requires plenty of strategic thinking. The game gives you a chance to correct your mistakes, but using your Mozkožrouts at the wrong moment will likely cost you the win.
• You don't need to buy multiple booster packs to get the best cards, as is common with other card games. You just buy one small box with everything you need.
• The game was co-designed by the famous developer Richard Garfield, who helped create games like King of Tokyo and the aforementioned Magic: The Gathering, and it shows in the best way possible.

Verdict

Mozkožrout is a highly addictive card game. You might say, "Let's play just one game," but you'll soon find yourself playing several in a row. Whether you're on vacation, on a train, in the mountains, or just on the couch at home, you'll have a blast with Mozkožrout regardless of your age. There isn't much text on the cards, so kids can enjoy it without any issues. Small size, low price, balanced difficulty, and beautiful illustrations. This card game is a real winner, and we can't wait for the expansion. The game has a 7.8/10 rating on BGG. I wouldn't be afraid to be even more positive.

So, get your Mozkožrouts ready, and let the duel begin!

author Daniel Korčák