Video Demonstration: Martian Dice
I had been looking for a themed dice game for a while after seeing some friends play Zombie Dice at our local game gathering. These types of games are usually pretty good value for your dollars and allow an almost unlimited number of players. Perfect for an impromptu family gathering or a quick couple of rounds between longer games with friends.
By pure coincidence I noticed a post on my Facebook timeline by Tasty Minstrel Games advertising their highly-rated game, Martian Dice, for under $8 shipped! After inquiring on a couple Facebook game groups, the consensus was that Martian Dice was a better version of Zombie Dice, and since it was now cheaper, was the one to get.
As I mentioned, Martian Dice accommodates any number of players and each game will last only 30 minutes at best. Of course, if you’re throwing a 40-person party and they all want to play, you either have to budget more time or buy multiple copies!
There are thirteen dice included that are all identical. Each die has five different symbols on them – a chicken, cow, human, tank and a death ray on two of the sides. You play the role of invading Martians trying to abduct the humans, cows and chickens, while fending off the tanks with your death rays.
Roll all 13 dice and set aside the tanks (required). These are your enemy and you must field at least as many death rays to defeat them. After the tanks are pulled, you then choose one of the other face types (cow, chicken, human or death ray) to save. Set aside all dice that match the icon you choose and reroll the remaining dice.
You repeat this pattern until you can make no more valid rolls or if you choose to end your turn. Ideally you’re trying to end your roll with more death rays than tanks, and as many abducted Earthlings as possible. But here’s the catch – once you abduct cows (or humans or chickens) during your roll, you cannot abduct them again. Death rays you can always select, but you can only select one category of Earthing once per turn. So you have to plan your invasion effectively!
Make sense yet? Our budding reporter and “Game Genie” Kennedy wants to show you a live turn so you can get a better feel for it. Let’s see how she rolls!
Like Kennedy mentioned, you take turns rolling until one player hits 25 points. Then everyone else gets to complete the round and the highest score wins (if more than one exceeded 25).
I hinted above about Tasty Minstrel Games‘ admission that they ordered too many copies during their last run. Their oversight is now to our benefit. You can pick up a copy of this great game for only $7.95 shipped via Prime on Amazon right now! And as always, see what else they’ve got in the works by checking out their Twitter and Facebook pages.
I love how easily portable this game is, great for going to a friend’s or grandma and grandpas, and those colors are so fun! My niece loves slightly wacky strategy games like this!
This is a perfect game for a rainy day or those play dates. I like that it portable. Kids can play it in the car too
It’s great that the game can be played with as many players as you want. It would be perfect for travel as well since there aren’t thousands of pieces to get lost.
My kids would love this. They’re really into playing with dice and table top games. Thanks so much for sharing.
This looks like a fun game to play!!! I have never heard of it before and love that its portable!
But have you tried to play this with real Zombies! That would seem like the real way to make this fun and more difficult!
This one looks interesting, too – it continues to amaze me how you find these unusual games to review!
Tanks, death rays, and dice? Yeah… pretty sure my youngest son would love this game. Anything that makes family time more fun, right? 🙂
Sounds like a great game to use your imagination and especially if you are into Sci Fi. I’m sure my 8 year old would appreciate it. Great video tutorial!
These are very cool! I need to get this game for my little boy that will think it is awesome.
This is a game that needs demonstrating. The video added that element. This game has all the characteristics I like in a good game – no batteries, portable, large or small number of players, and use of imagination.
That sounds like a fun game. My oldest has been into dice games like this lately, so this would be up his alley.
This sounds like one of those games that I could play all by myself if I really wanted to–but it definitely would be more fun with friends. Strategy, strategy and more strategy sounds like what is needed for this one.
LOL Scott. Kennedy does such a great job on the videos. She is a natural. Looks like a fun game and I have Grandkids that would love to play it. Maybe you can send Kennedy over to teach them.
This looks great! Looking at the packaging I don’t think I wold have purchased it, but with your wonderful demonstrations I now know that my kids and their friends will really enjoy the game! Thanks!!
You have the best demonstrators ever. You and your wife must be a real talent. I know my kids would really enjoy something like this a lot. Thanks for the heads up.
My son is only 5, I wonder if he would understand how to play this. For the price, it is worth a shot and if not I can just put it up until he is older or try to make up a game he gets.
Fun game that looks easy yet very entertaining
That sounds like a lot of fun. Great deal on the game also.
My boys love dice games and this one would be right up their alley. The martian images are just an added bonus.
This sounds like an interesting game. I bet my daughter Hannah would enjoy it.
This looks like an interesting little game! I think I will see if my kids would be interested in it 🙂
We love TMG games and love Martian Dice. Great review Scott.
Looks like fun!