This one definitely has a killer theme. Psycho Killer is a card game that I think feels like a similar weight to Exploding Kittens or Unstable Unicorns, it isn’t as cute, but just as fun. This is a relatively quick card “take that” style game. There isn’t really anything that feels new with it, so the theme really works in it’s favour. The Killer theme is perfect for my October games list, it pokes fun at that genre of film. It’s a fun game to add in before I’m playing anything with a darker more serious theme. It fits into Halloween well and I’m a sucker for a box that looks like a VHS tape. I like the card design and they’ve even gone so far as to create a playlist you can listen to in the background. It’s a nice touch, It doesn’t have a lot of re-playability but that’s fine since I only bring it out one month a year.
They do have a Bloody Mary expansion that turns this one into a drinking game. That would set it apart from similar card games. It is an option to consider.
Psycho Killer was designed by Michael Wilkinson and Mitch Young. It was published by Escape Tabletop Games. It is a 2 to 6 player game for ages 13 and up and takes about a half hour to play.
Set Up
Shuffle the deck and place in two piles face down on the table with enough room in the discard pile between them. That’s it, players start with no cards so you are ready to go.
How to Play
On your turn you can play as many or as few cards as you’d like. At the end of your turn you must draw a card. Once you draw a card your turn is over.
These are the type of cards available.
Psycho Killer Card
If you draw a psycho killer play it immediately. There are 5 Psycho Killers cards. If a player draws a Psycho Killer card they must place it on the table in front of them. Any player holding weapon cards gets attacked. All players place the weapon cards in their hand face up on the table. This is their injury pile. On the bottom right corner of the card there is a number. Add them up and that is your injury points.
Predicament Card
If you draw a predicament card you must play it immediately.
Left for Dead
You are considered left for dead if you have 10 or more cards in your injury pile. Once you are left for dead you do not have to play predicament cards immediately. You can keep them in your hand and play later or give them to someone else if the opportunity becomes available. If you give the predicament card to someone else they must play it immediately.
If you are left for dead you will still have to play a Psycho Killer card.
If you injury pile goes below 10 you are no longer left for dead. Immediately play any predicament cards.
Card Symbols
Certain cards have VCR symbols on them that allow you to do certain things.
Eject – Player this card immediately
Stop – You must play this card immediately even if you are left for dead.
Rewind – After you draw you may play a card with a rewind symbol.
Play – You can play this card even if it isn’t your turn.
Fast forward – Complete the card action your turn ends and you skip drawing a card.
End of Game
The game ends with the fifth Psycho Killer card is played. The player with the least amount of injury points wins.
If you looking for a quick game this Halloween, Psycho Killer might be a good fit.
If you like Psycho Killer try:
Unstable Unicorns
The Skillful Meeple 
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