Dungeon Mayhem – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dungeon Mayhem

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

74%

WISE Score

6.9

Board Game Geek

Fast, chaotic D&D card battle where barbarians bash wizards in 10 minutes—perfect for young adventurers, less so for tactical masterminds.

Dungeon Mayhem

Board Game

74%

WISE Score

6.9

Board Game Geek

Fast, chaotic D&D card battle where barbarians bash wizards in 10 minutes—perfect for young adventurers, less so for tactical masterminds.

4.6

6.9

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Dungeon Mayhem delivers exactly what it promises: a chaotic, colorful 10-minute brawl where paladins pummel rogues and everyone laughs at the card text. It's a fantastic gateway game for elementary-aged kids dipping their toes into fantasy gaming—simple enough that a 6-year-old gets it, flavorful enough that D&D fans smile at the references.

The catch? It's almost entirely luck-driven. Draw good cards, win. Draw duds, lose. Parents report that works great for younger kids (no analysis paralysis!) but older players and strategic thinkers bounce off quickly. One reviewer's teen son isn't a fan for exactly this reason. If your family loves light, fast chaos and doesn't need deep tactics, this is solid. If you're raising a Catan prodigy, they'll outgrow it fast.

The real magic is the 10-minute runtime. Losing doesn't hurt when you're shuffling up again 30 seconds later. It's the board game equivalent of a palate cleanser—nothing profound, but reliably fun for the right age range.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12 who want fast, accessible fantasy fun. The 8+ rating is conservative—many 6-year-olds handle it fine with a little help. Teens and adults will enjoy it with younger siblings but won't choose it for game night without kids.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Fast-paced fantasy combat card game with colorful, humorous artwork and no graphic violence. Player elimination mechanic is softened by quick 10-minute rounds that keep everyone engaged. Web reviews emphasize family-friendly humor on cards and kid-appropriate fantasy theme. Some 'take that' attacking mechanics but in a lighthearted D&D context that doesn't create lasting bad feelings.

Imaginative

Four distinct character decks (barbarian, paladin, rogue, wizard) with unique powers and strategies invite role-playing and tactical thinking. Fantasy D&D setting sparks imagination, though gameplay itself is straightforward with limited strategic depth (BGG weight 1.16). Kyle Ferrin's quirky illustrations add personality. Not deeply creative mechanically, but the character variety and D&D flavor provide imaginative hooks.

Safe

Exceptionally safe for a board game. No mature themes, gambling mechanics, or problematic content. Fantasy combat is entirely abstract (hit point tracking, no gore). Player elimination happens quickly in 10-minute games, minimizing frustration. Parent reviews confirm kids as young as 6 can play comfortably. The 'take that' attacking is part of the fun, not toxic. No monetization, privacy, or social issues inherent to physical card game.

Enriching

Light entertainment value with some hand management and tactical decision-making. BGG weight of 1.16 indicates minimal complexity—good for accessibility but limited cognitive challenge. Parent reviews note older players may find it repetitive due to high randomness and lack of strategic depth. Builds basic game literacy and turn-taking skills. Strong family bonding potential for younger kids, but won't grow with them long-term.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely playable for kids as young as 6, with simple rules and quick rounds that keep everyone at the table
Four distinct character decks mean each player gets unique powers and strategies—barbarian smash different from wizard zap
Witty card text and Kyle Ferrin's colorful art make D&D fantasy accessible and fun without being intimidating
10-minute play time means losing doesn't sting, and 'one more game!' actually fits before bedtime
Great entry point to D&D universe and hand management games without overwhelming new players

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What to Watch For

High randomness and low strategic depth—teens and adults may find it repetitive after a few plays
Player elimination means someone sits out, though quick rounds minimize downtime
The 'attack your friends' mechanic is core gameplay—if your kid melts down when targeted, this isn't the game
Expansion sets exist (Monster Madness, Battle for Baldur's Gate) if the base game hooks your family

Conversation Starters

"Which character deck matches your personality—would you rather heal your team or deal massive damage?"
"What would your own D&D character's special power card be?"
"When someone attacked you, did you want revenge or did you go after whoever was winning?"
"Should we try actual D&D sometime, or is this the right amount of dragon-slaying for our family?"

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