March 27: MonsterOpoly

I know some of my buddies out there are going to like this one because they're still just as much a "child" in spirit as I am. And who doesn't like a game that's sole focus is on monsters? It all started this afternoon at Brilliant Sky toy store. For those of you who haven't been to the store in Rochester yet, I highly recommend the experience for the entire family. A lot of unique toys made by not-so-well-known manufacturers of toys. And, great service too! That alone makes it a different experience from most other toy stores out there. We were there to pick up a birthday gift that we had put on hold. As the associates were cordially wrapping the gift, I took my son around the store (my daughter had been there before with my wife) and that's when I stumbled upon MonsterOpoly - "A Property Trading Game of Lovable Little Monsters". We're a big game family. Among are favorites: Cranium Cariboo, Memory, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Don't Break the Ice; as well as the classic Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders. And now, MonsterOpoly. Yes, after returning home following a few additional stops, we broke out the game and had a go at it! It's a great game. It follows the Monopoly concept, but instead of money you acquire and spend Goosebumps. Rather than the traditional houses and hotels, you secure your monster property with similar pieces called Screams. And, of course, there's all the different monsters to keep everyone entertained. Not only did the kids hoot and holler while playing, but they also seemed to see otherwise scary monsters (e.g. The Boogie Man) in a humorous light due to the funny and whimsical manner in which the monsters are portrayed in the game. Instead of frightening, they are goofy and harmless. We must have played for two hours before my son lost all of his Goosebumps thereby ending the game and awarding my wife the victory as a result of her having more Goosebumps than me or my daughter. But, now that they have the concept of gameplay under their belts, I expect the kids to come back stronger the next time.