Penny Arcade: The Game – Rumble in R'lyeh

Cryptozoic Entertainment · Board game · 2012
— Ludopedia 6.9 BGG 2–4 · best 4 30–45 min Weight 2.2/5
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— rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A frantic deck-building experience that blends the acid humor of Penny Arcade with Lovecraftian cosmic horror. It's a treat for those looking for fast, strategic matches without losing the fun factor. The ability to combine it with the base game takes the replay value to another level.

Highlights
  • Fluid deck-building mechanics
  • Seamless integration with base game
  • Authentic webcomic humor
  • Gold cards add new strategies
Keep in mind
  • Requires webcomic knowledge
  • Can be chaotic for beginners
  • Art style is polarizing
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About the game

What you do in a play session

If you think you've seen it all in the gaming world, get ready for a dose of absolute chaos. In Penny Arcade: The Game – Rumble in R'lyeh, the dreaded Cthulhu has decided to wake up from his ancient nap in the sunken city of R'lyeh and, believe me, he's not here to play nice. This title works both as a standalone game and as an expansion to the classic Gamers vs. Evil. If you already own the first one, you can mix everything together to create an insane match, packed with references to the bizarre and hilarious world of the Penny Arcade webcomic.

The big news in this edition is the introduction of gold cards. These are powerful, require both tokens and power to acquire, and function as wildcards (counting as both green and red cards), which opens up a huge range of strategic possibilities and synergies that didn't exist before. You'll explore strange locations, like Gabe's Gross Mouth, and face off against disturbing alternate versions of familiar characters, like the Were-Swan. The game keeps that deck-building feel where every decision matters, but with an extra dash of humor and nerd references that only fans of the series will fully appreciate.

It's a fast-paced game, ideal for those who want something dynamic, lasting between 30 to 45 minutes, perfect for a casual weekend session with friends. The open drafting mechanic keeps everyone on their toes, as you need to watch what your opponents are picking so you don't miss out on that killer combo. If you enjoy card games that don't take themselves too seriously but still offer an interesting tactical challenge, this is a great choice. The integration between the two boxes is seamless, increasing the game's longevity and allowing you to customize your deck in ways the base game alone wouldn't allow. Get ready to laugh, despair at the ancient gods, and, of course, try to beat your friends while the world (or at least the table) collapses.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Theme: Cthulhu Mythos Webcomics: Penny Arcade
Publisher Cryptozoic Entertainment
Designer Michael Donais, Paul Sottosanti
Artist Mike Krahulik

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,177owners
57wishlist
16want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need the base game to play?
No! It works as a standalone game, but if you have Gamers vs. Evil, the experience is much richer.
How many players can play?
The game is designed for 2 to 4 players.
What is the average playtime?
Expect something between 30 and 45 minutes, perfect for multiple rounds.
Is it hard to learn?
With a weight of 2.15, it's quite accessible. If you've played any deck builder before, you'll pick it up quickly.
Is the Cthulhu theme too dark?
Not at all! It's a comedic and satirical take, very much in the style of the Penny Arcade webcomic.
Is it worth mixing with the first game?
Definitely! The gold cards add a layer of strategy that makes the combination well worth it.

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