My Honest Exploding Kittens Review & Ultimate Guide:
I’ve always been a bit wary of those super-hyped games. You know, the ones everyone goes crazy for and they’re plastered all over social media.
Exploding Kittens was definitely one of those. Cute cats and explosions?
Sure, it seemed fun, but I wasn’t about to buy in without trying it first. My friend ended up getting a few years back and we played it on our night shift breaks and downtime. A great casual time thriller and we loved to make it as super-intense as possible.
Fast forward, I have a family, a six-year old, and it was time to revisit, seeing if it the game itself was any good or whether it was a flash-in-the-pan card game that was more because of who I was playing with.
This is my summarized version of it all, so without further ado, here’s my honest Exploding Kittens review.
How to Play Exploding Kittens
Basic Gameplay
I have to admit, the concept of Exploding Kittens is incredibly simple.
Your goal is to NOT draw an Exploding Kitten card. If you do – boom! You’re out. There are cards that let you defuse the kittens, peek at the deck, force other players to take turns, or shuffle the deck.
You can play as many cards as you want per turn, but your turn must always end by drawing a card, unless you play a card that allows you to skip your turn.
That’s basically the gist of it.
Learning the rules was a breeze, about two pages in general, but easy to wrap your head around. The instructions are short, funny, and surprisingly clear, even for a six-year-old.
I recommend playing a dummy round or two first to get the hang of it before jumping into a real game. The game is suitable for about 2-5 players.
Gameplay Review
While the game is simple and easy to pick up, this is also its downfall.
Sometimes, the game feels a bit too simple, with very little choices to make. Of course, you can play your cards, put the Kitten back wherever you want after a defuse, and skip your go, and so on, but lots of games back to back can get a bit repetitive and it’s pretty much down to luck.
That’s why it’s known as a bit of a Russian Roulette type game with a heavy amount of luck involved.
That said, it’s super casual and it’s a great way to spend a rainy afternoon or kickstart a games night, but probably isn’t the main event, especially if you’re playing with seasoned gamers who want a bit more bite and food for thought.
That said, the expansions can allow this, with cards like “Alter the Future” which lets you put the cards back in any order. We just play the default pack with this rule on the See the Future card.
It’s basically a case of smashing the other players and messing with them as much as you can, which there’s certainly a time and a place. Younger me and my friends (18 – 24) definitely loved this aspect, with many of us ganging up on someone or being ganged up on myself if someone seemed to be getting too powerful with too many cards.
Therefore, don’t take the game too seriously – it’s not about that.
It’s the kind of game that starts light-hearted but can get surprisingly cutthroat depending on who you’re playing with.
What Cards are In Exploding Kittens?
- Cat Cards: Contain things like TacoCat and Blind Man. Collect 2 or three of a kind to be able to take cards from other players
- Attack: Skip a go and let the next person have to take two turns. I like to play a version where these cards stack.
- Defuse: Defuse an Exploding Kitten card, allowing you to stay in the game and put the Exploding Kitten back wherever you want.
- Favor: Force a player to give you a card of their choosing.
- Nope: Prevent any action or card from taking place, except defuse and Exploding Kitten. I prefer to play where these stack (you can Nope a Nope). Can be played any time.
- See the Future: Look at the top three cards on the draw pile and put them back in the same order.
- Shuffle: Shuffle the deck.
- Skip: Skip your turn without having to draw a card.
This list doesn’t include the expansion packs.
Theme & Design
For me, the theme of Exploding Kittens is one of the best bits. The artwork is great (and led me down the rabbit hole to The Oatmeal, the artist, whose work is great and I’ve got a lot of fun from their site over the years, and the novelty hasn’t really worn off.
If I’m playing with parents or partner, we also have a comment about some of the artwork and how crazy and quirky it is.
I mean, it’s cats, explosions, laser beams, enchiladas – it’s a random mix and it works. The absurdity of the theme definitely fits with the chaotic gameplay.
The cards themselves are really decent quality. I’ve never had a problem with them personally and they’ve held their own across plenty of game nights.
Fun Factor
Exploding Kittens really leans into its ridiculous side, and that’s what makes it so much fun. From the bizarre card names (“Tacocat”, “Nope”, “See the Future”) to the over-the-top illustrations, the game is packed with humor.
The real fun comes from the player interaction. It’s intensely competitive, and the cards that force other players to draw or let you steal their cards add a constant element of sabotage and revenge.
There’s definitely a thrill in hoping your friends draw an Exploding Kitten and a satisfying glee when you manage to deflect one onto someone else or set someone up by placing the kitten on their turn after picking it up yourself.
Of course, there are also plenty of times where I’ve seen this backfire and I or someone else have taken their own Exploding Kitten after a confusing round of cards being played.
As for replayability, Exploding Kittens is best in short bursts.
Again, the quick rounds make it perfect for a filler game or to start a game night, but I wouldn’t want to play it for hours on end.
After a while, the randomness can get a little repetitive. However, it’s definitely a game I’d come back to, especially when I’m in the mood for something that’s light, silly, and a little bit mean.
Target Audience
Exploding Kittens is one of those games that’s easy to learn but difficult to master, making it great for a wide audience.
- Age: The box recommends ages 7+, and I think that’s fairly accurate. Younger kids might grasp the basics quickly, and the silly theme will appeal to them. Adults will appreciate the humor and the sneaky strategic elements.
- Group Size: It works best with 3-5 players. With two players, it loses some of its chaotic charm. More than five, and the downtime between turns can get a bit long.
- Experience with Games: Exploding Kittens is perfect for casual gamers. The simple rules make it welcoming to newbies. But even more seasoned gamers might find it a fun palate cleanser between heavier games.
In short, if you like games that are quick, easy to pick up, and involve a healthy dose of messing with your friends, then Exploding Kittens might be right up your alley.
Value
The price of Exploding Kittens is pretty reasonable considering it’s a quick, fun card game that will provide plenty of laughs. It depends where you get it, and you can probably find it online for about £15.
Some places retail at £20, and I think that’s a little steep. I got Dorf Romantik for £23 and that was Game of the Year.
Then again, if you get several hours of gameplay with lots of people, family, or friends, then you definitely get good bang for your buck in terms of entertainment value.
As for expansions, there are a few available. I haven’t tried them personally, but from what I’ve read, they add new cards and twists to the gameplay. If you find yourself playing the base game a LOT and want to spice things up, an expansion could be worthwhile.
But to start with, the original Exploding Kittens offers enough replayability on its own.
Overall Opinion
Overall, I had a blast with Exploding Kittens! It’s a simple game with a ridiculous premise and that’s exactly its charm. Here’s a quick recap of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Super easy to learn
- Fast-paced and highly entertaining
- Hilarious artwork and theme
- Great for casual gamers
Cons:
- Heavily luck-based
- Can get repetitive after extended play
- Best with a medium-sized group
Who I’d recommend it to:
- People looking for a light-hearted, laugh-out-loud party game
- Casual gamers and families who want a quick and fun game
- Anyone who loves cats, explosions, and a bit of friendly backstabbing
Who might not love it:
- Players who dislike a lot of luck in their games
- People looking for deep strategy and complex game mechanics
My Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Exploding Kittens definitely lives up to the hype as a fun and hilarious party game that’s perfect for injecting some absurdity into your game night.
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What’s the main goal of Exploding Kittens?
Don’t explode! Be the last player standing by avoiding those pesky Exploding Kittens.
How does a basic round of Exploding Kittens work?
Here’s what happens in a typical round:
- Put the deck down: Exploding Kittens and other cards go face down in a central pile.
- Take Turns: Each player takes a turn doing either one action or playing multiple cards.
- Draw a Card: The main part of your turn is to draw one card from the top of the deck.
- Explode (or Don’t)! If you drew an Exploding Kitten, you’re out… unless you can defuse it!
How do I survive an Exploding Kitten?
You need a Defuse card! Play this immediately to stop the explosion and secretly put the Exploding Kitten back into the deck.
What else can I do on my turn of Exploding Kittens?
A: Besides drawing, you can play other cards for cool effects:
- Attack: Force the next player to take two turns in a row.
- Skip: End your turn without drawing a card.
- Nope: Cancel another player’s action (except Exploding Kittens or Defuses).
- Favor: Force another player to give you a card.
- See the Future: Peek at the top few cards of the deck.
You’re not limited by how many cards you can play on your turn.
How does a game of Exploding Kittens end?
When only one player is left without exploding, they win!
What’s the 5 Card Rule in Exploding Kittens?
Think of it like a special power-up move! Playing 5 different cat cards (Tacocat, Blind man, etc) lets you go digging through the Discard Pile. You can grab ANY one card you want from there and add it back to your hand.
Defuse anyone?
