Red Light: A Star is Porn

Red Light: A Star is Porn was one of the unexpected hits I brought along with me. I expected it to be interesting only because of the attractive artwork and its bold, thoroughly non-politically-correct theme; it does not try to hide behind its finger. In the end, there is a game behind that wrapping too.

At its core, it operates at about Munchkin level: you use cards and abilities to interfere with other players' plans, with direct, teasing interaction at the center. The difference is that, instead of merely saying “I look at your hand and steal a card,” you say things like “I play a double rear punch on you” — and that alone completely changes the mood around the table.

Players draw and play their cards to affect one another in a game that does not pretend to be a deep strategic epic. At least it has a beginning, middle, and end, which makes it, for me, perhaps even better than Munchkin. It works clearly better with two or three players than with four or five, where the silliness does not necessarily help it become better.

It is not a title worth writing home about, nor would I recommend it as the next big thing. Still, it is a pleasant, funny game that you can play two or three times with the same group and have a good time. And the most notable thing? The game it re-implemented, Squillo, is said to be an even worse thematic cesspit. I am sold: I have to find it.