" Ironically because this game is called 'Nexus' and not 'Reefer Boy's Crack Pipe' this game will never catch on down in the mean streets. "

      Title: Nexus from Cheapass Games

      Format: Card Game… for cards…

      Reviewing Monkey: Chimpan-A

      The Hype: Hype? This review is about as much hype as this game gets. Still the instruction booklet promises an "abstract game of strategy and control". At least as much control as one can ever get out of a card game. Hip Pocket games (a tiny division of cheap ass games) brings us this interesting new game.

      What This Monkey Thought...

      Playability: A quick read through the instruction pamphlet (calling it a book, or even booklet, would be extreme hyperbole) should give you all the knowledge you need to start playing. The rules are fairly simple. Essentially two players take turns drawing cards from a deck and placing them on the table. The patterns on the cards make connections. When a set of connections closes out, somebody gets the points for the "nexus" that has been created (and thus the name of the game). The most complicated thing you'll have to learn is how the point scoring works and how to place your tokens. Believe me, any two-year-old brain damaged simian can grasp these rules. The only real problem I have with playing this card game is the amount of space it requires. Because you end up laying out all the cards next to each other, the game easily takes up a whole table's worth of space. Not only that, but you need extra tokens to play it, although pennies seem to work fine. 4 out of 5

      Aesthetics: This game is not pretty. Really though, whadda ya expect for a cheap ass game? The cards are blandly colored and look practically photocopied (they probably are). The whole thing came in a little ziplock baggie. I think the only way it could have appeared more ghetto is if they included a free dime bag. Ironically because this game is called "Nexus" and not "Reefer Boy's Crack Pipe" this game will never catch on down in the mean streets. All right, maybe it's not that bad, but it's certainly not aesthetically pleasing. 2 out of 5

      Balance: The game is as balanced as any card game. The winner is the one with the luck and the strategy. The cards aren't specific enough to actually confer advantages to anybody. 4 out of 5

      Value vs. Cost: Well, you get all the cards and the instruction paper, which is about half of what you need to play. If you have tokens handy, you'll be ready to go. The possibility for the game to get too big prevents it from being an "anywhere" kind of card game. Still, the game is fun and easy. And at the price they're asking, pretty worth it. 3.5 out of 5

      The Verdict:

For what it is, this is a pretty fun game. It's not the type you can take anywhere, which limits its functionality a bit. Still whip it out once and in a while and it'll keep you busy for a few minutes. And really, if it can bring some entertainment for twenty minutes, it's worth the asking price.

      The Good: Really cheap. Fun little game

      The Bad: Ugly cards, requires a slightly large playing space

      The Overall Ugly: Dude, it's cheap and it'll keep you entertained while you're waiting for your match at the next card tournament. What more do you want?

      What it's Worth: Market