The Hunger Games: Jabberjay, Training Days, and District 12
A phenomenon like The Hunger Games wouldn’t be quite as… well, phenomenal without a plethora of merchandise. Whether it be collector’s editions, movie companions, spoofs, cookbooks, jewelry, or apparel it’s all out there. Being a gamer, a Hunger Games fan, and the consumer whore that I am, I picked up not one, not two, but three games based on the series that I love.
Training Days by Wizkids
I picked up Training Days a few weeks back. This game is based solely on the books and doesn’t feature all the stars of the movies like the other two games. The basis of the game is you and up to 3 other players are chosen as Tributes from various districts. Your goal is to prepare for the games. The tribute with the highest approval rating wins.
District 12 also by Wizkids
District 12 is a resource management game for 2-4 players. You are a resident of the Seam and your goal is to gather enough resources: Clothing, fuel, medicine, and food to survive. Each player begins the game with tone Reaping Card in “The Glass Ball.” But each time you lack a resource needed to survive you must enter your name again. At the end of 12 rounds of play all the Reaping Cards are shuffled and one card is drawn at random. The player whose card is drawn loses and of the remaining players, the one who has the most Resource Points wins.
Jabberjay by...hey, wait a minute... Wizkids
Well, it seems that Wizkids has cornered the market on Hunger Games games and they are quite pleased that a sucker like me bought all three! Anyway, back to business… Jabberjay is a secret role, social card game. The main rules of the game are for 5-12 players but there are alternate rules for 2-4 players. Each player is given a random secret role: Katniss, Haymitch, Peeta, Gale, or a Capital Citizen. At the start of each hand all players receive two status cards: Ignored, Accused, Exposed, Hidden, or Fled. Discussion is had, cards are passed around the group and statuses are assigned. Some cards defeat others and a team of players (either Capital or District citizens) win depending on how many are left standing.
I am going through a little Hunger Games withdrawal at the moment so I am sure these games should scratch that itch, that is until I get my hands on a Katniss Bow. Time to go Google some archery classes in my area.
