Quick Look: Bite-Me
Designer: Jim Johnson
Publisher: 8th Kid Games Inc.
Year
Published: 2018
Published: 2018
No. of
Players: 2–6
Players: 2–6
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 30–60 minutes
Find more info
on BoardGameGeek.com
Review
Bite-Me is an
easy to learn card game that can be played by the entire family. Younger
players can also play on their own after a couple of games learning the battle mechanic.
We were able to get right into the game while we read through the rules. The games
we played fell into the time period expected.
easy to learn card game that can be played by the entire family. Younger
players can also play on their own after a couple of games learning the battle mechanic.
We were able to get right into the game while we read through the rules. The games
we played fell into the time period expected.
The rules were
easy to follow, and the game was easy to teach. There is one minor issue in the
rules that appears to be an oversight as the game progressed in development. It
calls out certain cards as being “I am a …” card and the cards are written
“You are a ….” This isn’t anything serious and there is no effect on game
play.
easy to follow, and the game was easy to teach. There is one minor issue in the
rules that appears to be an oversight as the game progressed in development. It
calls out certain cards as being “I am a …” card and the cards are written
“You are a ….” This isn’t anything serious and there is no effect on game
play.
The cards are
color coded for easier play. This is great for most players, and the cards have
clear statements, so those who are colorblind would still be able to tell what
the card is used for and what type of cards can be used to counter its play.
color coded for easier play. This is great for most players, and the cards have
clear statements, so those who are colorblind would still be able to tell what
the card is used for and what type of cards can be used to counter its play.
Setup
Bite-Me is
quick to setup. There are scoring cards, 1 for each player, some markers, cards
identifying the infected, and a deck of playing cards. To start a game, you
shuffle the deck and deal out the cards. The number of cards depends how many
players you have: for 2–4 players you deal each player 7 cards and for 5–6 players it’s 5 cards.
quick to setup. There are scoring cards, 1 for each player, some markers, cards
identifying the infected, and a deck of playing cards. To start a game, you
shuffle the deck and deal out the cards. The number of cards depends how many
players you have: for 2–4 players you deal each player 7 cards and for 5–6 players it’s 5 cards.
Gameplay
The goal in
Bite-Me is to infect other players, turning them into monsters (vampires,
werewolves, and zombies), and then destroy the monsters. A player wins if they
defeat one of each type of monster and are uninfected (human) or they are the
last player left in the game.
Bite-Me is to infect other players, turning them into monsters (vampires,
werewolves, and zombies), and then destroy the monsters. A player wins if they
defeat one of each type of monster and are uninfected (human) or they are the
last player left in the game.
A turn
consists of playing 1 or 2 cards. Cards played during this phase can infect
players, attack a monster, or affect a player’s strength. A player can also
discard 2 cards and draw two new cards for their turn instead of playing any.
consists of playing 1 or 2 cards. Cards played during this phase can infect
players, attack a monster, or affect a player’s strength. A player can also
discard 2 cards and draw two new cards for their turn instead of playing any.
Once players
become infected, battling can begin. This occur in two ways. The first form of
battle, (Standard Battle) occurs when a player, as part of their turn, chooses
to fight a monster. The second form is when a player is infected to become a
monster and there is already at least one other player already infected as that
type of monster, an Alpha Battle.
become infected, battling can begin. This occur in two ways. The first form of
battle, (Standard Battle) occurs when a player, as part of their turn, chooses
to fight a monster. The second form is when a player is infected to become a
monster and there is already at least one other player already infected as that
type of monster, an Alpha Battle.
The Standard Battle
is when a player uses an attack card against another infected player as part of
their turn. They designate who they are attacking and play the card. The
defending monster must play a defense or attack card with a higher value than
what was played against them. The attacking player can then counter with a
higher card. This continues until one player cannot play, or chooses to play a
higher card. If the monster loses, the winning player gets a kill and the
losing player loses a life (each player has 4 lives). If the monster wins, the
losing player becomes infected and then an Alpha Battle ensues.
is when a player uses an attack card against another infected player as part of
their turn. They designate who they are attacking and play the card. The
defending monster must play a defense or attack card with a higher value than
what was played against them. The attacking player can then counter with a
higher card. This continues until one player cannot play, or chooses to play a
higher card. If the monster loses, the winning player gets a kill and the
losing player loses a life (each player has 4 lives). If the monster wins, the
losing player becomes infected and then an Alpha Battle ensues.
An Alpha
battle happens when a player becomes infected and there is already one of those
monsters in play. Each player shows their highest attack card. High card wins.
If there is a tie, then the next highest card is exposed. This continues until
there is a winner. These battles will affect how many cards each player
continues the game with.
battle happens when a player becomes infected and there is already one of those
monsters in play. Each player shows their highest attack card. High card wins.
If there is a tie, then the next highest card is exposed. This continues until
there is a winner. These battles will affect how many cards each player
continues the game with.
We had some
confusion at this point. What happens to the race of the player that loses a
battle who started the battle as a monster? The rules were clear that when a
human loses, they are infected and then must fight for Alpha. We decided, based
on the fact there is a card to turn a player back into a human, the losing
monstrous character remains that race. We figured the number of cards a player
was holding was the means of telling the difference between the alpha player
and the subservient within the race. This is also supported with the
description in the rules, that when alphas or a subservient change to another
race they return to their original number of cards.
confusion at this point. What happens to the race of the player that loses a
battle who started the battle as a monster? The rules were clear that when a
human loses, they are infected and then must fight for Alpha. We decided, based
on the fact there is a card to turn a player back into a human, the losing
monstrous character remains that race. We figured the number of cards a player
was holding was the means of telling the difference between the alpha player
and the subservient within the race. This is also supported with the
description in the rules, that when alphas or a subservient change to another
race they return to their original number of cards.
There are also
cards that effect play. These allow for the change in direction of play,
exchange of hands, skip a player, and steal a card. There are only a few of
these cards and don’t disrupt the regular flow of turns much.
cards that effect play. These allow for the change in direction of play,
exchange of hands, skip a player, and steal a card. There are only a few of
these cards and don’t disrupt the regular flow of turns much.
Theme and
Mechanics
Mechanics
Bite-Me plays
on comedic horror. Even with everyone becoming monsters, it is suitable for the
ages posted, 8+. The mechanics of how to conduct a battle was easy for younger
players to understand.
on comedic horror. Even with everyone becoming monsters, it is suitable for the
ages posted, 8+. The mechanics of how to conduct a battle was easy for younger
players to understand.
The mechanics
are based on the card game War, high card wins, and has similarities to other
card games like Bang! To make the game easier to play, the cards are color
coded and have information on them. You don’t need to refer back to the
rulebook.
are based on the card game War, high card wins, and has similarities to other
card games like Bang! To make the game easier to play, the cards are color
coded and have information on them. You don’t need to refer back to the
rulebook.
Even with the
concept of killing another player, you cannot attack a human, only a monster.
Of course, the younger players enjoyed the idea of turning the other players
into monsters so they could kill them.
concept of killing another player, you cannot attack a human, only a monster.
Of course, the younger players enjoyed the idea of turning the other players
into monsters so they could kill them.
Artwork and
Components
Components
The artwork of
Bite-Me reflects the theme. There are only a couple of cards that appear to be
pictures or drawn to real life. They represent normal looking items.
Bite-Me reflects the theme. There are only a couple of cards that appear to be
pictures or drawn to real life. They represent normal looking items.
The Good
- The cards are wide. The information on the cards is easy to read (I
didn’t have to break out the reading glasses). - A good cabin game. Small enough to be carried in a trailer, suitcase, or
backpack and brought out to play on any flat surface.
Bad
- Our older
players were ready to move on to another game after a couple of games.
Final Thoughts
A good family
game. Bite-Me can be taught to younger players and then they can play on their
own.
game. Bite-Me can be taught to younger players and then they can play on their
own.
Players Who
Like
Like
- Bang! Bite-Me
has a similar feel (except for the theme) for the style of play and combat. - Quick and easy
card games that can be quickly set up and played. - Games that can
be played while camping.
Check out Bite-Me on:
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
