Published by: Looney Labs Number of Players: 2-6 ages 8 and up Price: $20
The people at Looney Labs have done it again with Monty Python Fluxx, a game where the rules and goals constantly change! Now, when I was faced with the choice of reviewing this game, I was already a fan of Fluxx and Zombie Fluxx. With Monty Python, though, I wondered if you would need to be a fan to enjoy this game. I have some friends who are fans of Fluxx but not really into Monty Python. Well, my friends are good sports, so we all decided to try a game and see how much knowledge of Monty Python would be needed.
The game plays like Fluxx. You have a basic rule card of draw one and play one. You have keepers which are played in front of you, and will help you achieve goals. New rules are played that will either supplement or replace rules, and Goal cards are played to help you win. There are also Creeper cards, which are not desired, as you can't win unless with a special rule or goal. When you draw a Creeper, you draw a new card to replace it. This can result in several Creepers on the board. Not fun! Some cards require knowledge of Monty Python, like the Action card "What is Your Quote?" You draw three cards, and if you can quote three consecutive lines of Monty Python dialogue (between at least two characters), you can play all three cards. Another card requires you to be able to sing lyrics from Monty Python. People who aren't fans might not have an easy time with this, but fortunately these cards are rare.
In short, you don't have to be a fan of Monty Python to enjoy Monty Python Fluxx. Sure, it doesn't hurt to be a fan, as you might wonder about the Knights Who Say 'Ni'! or why a shrubbery is so important, but this game is still the same Fluxx goodness that you've enjoyed before. Is it compatible with Fluxx and Zombie Fluxx? The designer of the game says "NAY!", and since he created the game, I'm inclined to believe him.
For Something Completely Different, Monty Python Fluxx is the card game for you. Get it right now!
Agreed. The Python theme is what Fluxx needed all along. Both the game, and the peculiar slant to Python humor, are all about seemingly absurd randomness, where enjoying the weird process is far more important that how it all ends (and games of Fluxx seem to end no differently than, for example, the non-ending ending of Holy Grail...)