Tabletop Game Review: Punching Babies

Punching Babies

Dan Sterling Games

Players: 2

Play Time: 5-20 Minutes

“Punching Babies is a quick and easy turn-based card game that simulates two heavyweight boxing babies. Obviously, this is a two player game.”

Phew, we really dodged a bullet there. I thought we were playing a game about punching babies. Fortunately, babies punching each other is a little bit better. Anyway, if we are able to get over the theme lets move onto the review.

As stated in the description, Punching Babies is a head to head card game in which players essentially play a boxing match as babies. The game is crazy simple to get through, as players trade punches, blocks, and specials in an effort to land the most hits. Players are dealt 10 cards and take turns playing relevant cards until neither player can initiate an attack. The fighter who has taken the least amount of damage wins the round.

Of course, it isn’t quite as simple as I made it seem. Some cards combo off of each other, some counter, and some dodge. There is also a hugging mechanic which reduces the amount of damage taken. While the gameplay itself is simple, there is a fine amount of strategy needed to survive and thrive through the game’s rounds. While some cards allow the player to avoid damage at all, it’s best to pick and choose what you defend against in order to better protect yourself from future combos. The end result is a mini chess match that challenges the players to read each other to the best of their ability.

The game’s fast pacing allows for multiple rounds to be played in a short amount of time. This makes Punching Babies a fine filler for a game night with two players. The game is easy to learn too, adding to its ability to make for a quick experience. Some gamers prefer short games that don’t wear down their wits, and this game definitely fills the need.

While the simplicity will be appreciated by many players, the game leaves quite a bit to be desired. While it is enjoyable, I can’t see myself playing it too often. There is nothing inherently wrong with Punching Babies, it just feels like it is missing a mechanic or two. The game is also missing a means to keep track of the score, which seems like an odd oversight. Of course, we played with a review version of the game, so this could be remedied during the official release. As of now, players will need a third party to keep track of scores. The game also suffers from relying on luck just a bit too much. While players are free to read each other, it’s not uncommon to have no tools to counter most attacks, making the game feel a tad unfair sometimes.

Punching Babies also does a decent job at sticking to its theme, with attack and defense cards that line up with both boxing and children. The cards do look a bit too simple. There is a lot of white space and the character art doesn’t match the fun style of the box art. Everything looks just a bit too basic, but this isn’t too detrimental to the overall experience.

Punching Babies is a fine experience marred by a few inconveniences. The lack of a scorecard it being a bit too simple holds everything back from its full potential. Landing combos is always satisfying, but there is a bit too much luck involved for my liking. Still, this is an enjoyable filler game that can be enjoyed by casual gamers.