Dungeon Petz
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.6 / 5
- Year
- 2011
About the game
Dungeon Petz casts players as imp-family entrepreneurs breeding and selling monstrous pets to demanding Dungeon Lords. Using an inventive simultaneous worker-placement system, players size up teams of imps to act before their rivals, all while managing needy, sometimes sick or destructive creature cubs. Pets must be fed, exercised, and shown off at contests before being sold for profit. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil, it's set in the same universe as Dungeon Lords. The humor and chaos of raising fantasy monsters make for a memorably weird strategy game.
Hobbli's Notes
Chvátil at his most delightfully twisted. The simultaneous worker-placement puzzle is genuinely clever, and the dark comedy of caring for gross little monsters never stops being funny even on repeat plays.
What we like
- Wonderfully dark, comedic theme unlike almost anything else on the shelf.
- Innovative simultaneous worker-sizing mechanic keeps every round tense.
- Deep, rewarding strategic puzzle for veteran gamers.
- High replayability from varied pet needs each game.
- Strong player interaction through the pet auction and contests.
Keep in mind
- Higher downtime as players resolve complex pet-care needs.
- Rules overhead can be steep for newcomers.
- Chaotic scoring swings can frustrate meticulous planners.
Who it's for
Experienced strategy gamers who enjoy dark humor, ages 13 and up, in groups of 2-4.
