Customer Reviews

Cthulhu Dice

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Cthulhu Dice is a pretty simple game, but instead of explaining how it works it would probably be more helpful to point you to the flash demo on the SJ Games website.
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I bought Cthulhu Dice at a game shop about an hour away from my house while on a trip with some friends. We opened it on the drive home and played the whole way back, rolling in an upturned frisbee. This is definitely not a game you'll play all night, you'll probably play it in the down time between larger games or while you're waiting for the last few people to show up. That said, the game is extremely fun. It's fast paced, easy to learn, and, best of all, portable. I've started carrying the die that comes with the game when I go out and starting games while waiting in line or stuck in traffic. It's great for killing time and getting some quick fun in.

The game comes with glass beads to use as sanity counters and a large, 12 sided die with several different symbols relating to the Cthulhu mythology. The beads are nothing special, though the sickly green is suitably creepy. The die is beautiful; it's significantly larger than a normal d12 so the images are clear and easy to see.

The game is quick and easy and very portable. There is not really much of a strategy - just a bit. We played with four people total, and the game lasted maybe twenty minutes. It certainly has a coolness factor with the large, custom d12 and the Cthulhu themed game play.

I mostly see this game as something that you can whip out between other activities or while waiting in a long line or at a convention while waiting for an event to start. One or two games in a row and you're pretty ready to move on and try something else. Also, you'll need to keep the one-sheet rules with it, at least until everyone's memorized the little table. It's not hard, but not obvious, either. Again, the whole thing can be slipped into a little ziplock bag and tossed into a backpack and then pulled out for those ten to twenty minutes between activities when you want to have a mild distraction with your friends.

[BTW: I also own "Zombie Dice" from Steve Jackson Games. These games are totally different. Different dice, different rules, and different game play. I'm just adding this in case anyone thought they were differently themed versions of the same game; they are not.]

My eldest picked this up recently because he loves playing games. It's a complete game in one small package, that plays very quickly and doesn't involve strategy or serious thought. Each player gets 3 Sanity counters, and rolls the dice against someone else as an attack. The person attacked then gets a roll of the dice to respond. When one player has sanity and the rest have "gone mad" or when everyone has lost all their sanity, the game is over.
The sanity counters are flat green marbles like you can find in craft stores. The dice is a large 12 sided die with easy to see designs that are in good contrast.
It's super easy, and since game play goes so fast it's a great game when you're waiting at a restaurant with a couple friends or to pass a couple minutes between other games. It's not something to play for hours and hours, but for a few minutes, it's a lot of fun. Because it's just the one die and sanity counters, it's very portable.

I actually think Boone's review was spot on. I think the coolest aspect is that in order to win, you have to be the only one left who isnt insane. LMAO. Great premise. You can play anywhere, anytime, and there is a certain endearing quality to the dark concept. In fact, my 8 year old step daughter cant get enough of it, nor can my 36 year old wife, so it pretty much can run the age gamut, and translates well. Plus, the instructions are super easy to follow and to remember.

This is a great little game for 2 or more players, though only 2 players is quite boring. Once you get to 3 or more players it's much better, because then you can choose who to cast against. It's a great game that can fit inside your pocket very easy in a very small bag. The dice is nice and big and comes in several colors, all of which are very Cthulhuy-looking. This is a great game to play for a little while, lasting only for about 4-6 minutes per game for four people (I think the reviewer who said this game lasts 20 minutes is off his rocker).
This is a great buy, and will make a nice game to play once in a while, and works great for parties. Also, it's cheap!
Also, like the other reviewer said, this game is nothing like Zombie dice, which is also a great game.

I purchased Cthulhu dice as a XMas present for my little cousin. I was searching for a game that was relatively inexpensive, easy to learn, and fun to play. This game met the criteria. It was a great hit and the kids couldn't stop playing!

Description:

Every player is a cultist of Cthulhu with 3 Sanity (flat marbles). You (the caster) choose a victim and roll the dice. The goal is to make the other cultists lose their Sanity. The last person with sanity left wins. If no one has any sanity left, then Cthulhu wins.

Pros:

Cthulhu dice is really easy to learn. After teaching the game once, my cousins quickly memorized what the symbols on each side of the die meant. For people who don't like games which take forever to learn or games that require too much thinking, this game is perfect. It is based on luck, so even a terrible gamer like me has a shot at winning. Plus, Cthulhu is a really fun word to say. Perfect for 2 - 6 people, of all ages (we dragged my uncle into the game too). The dice and marbles are very small, so it's portable and a good travel game.

Cons:

There is no bag, so the die and flat marbles could easily get lost. The game ends in a couple of minutes (usually 2-5 min), and the speed of the game may be too quick for some (if you prefer longer games like Monopoly or Settlers of Catan). There is very little strategy involved. It is a game that is purely for entertainment purposes; it is not educational

Other Notes:

I found handy review of the game at [...]

This easy, fun game is something everyone should have lying around the house. It's social, fun, and easy to learn. A game only takes a few minutes and next to no intense thouht. Great for pregame while waiting for players, a stress-breaking cool down, and a fun decision-making tool. Good quality components. Seriously for about $5, it's a gotta have.

Cool little filler game while setting up Arkham Horror. I keep it with my copy of Elder Sign. Excellent for H.P. Lovecraft fans.

Worth the price I paid. A fast-paced and fun game for the Cthulhu lover in you. Very durable, no stickers on your dice or breakable parts. Will travel well in a backpack or even your pocket. I would pay a couple dollars more for a nice faux velvet pouch for the dice and sanity gems. Otherwise, nice item.

I use these dice to create extra rules for other Cthulhu themed games. Unspeakable Words is the most fun with this, and you can find my rules for that on Unspeakable Words page on boardgamegeek dot com. Beyond this, however, I'm also working on rules for Elder Sign and Munchkin Cthulhu among others. It adds a little more depth and strategy to those games and can tweak the gameplay to your liking. Buy this for the possibilities, but you'll probably almost never actually play the standalone game.