Trent Howell
United States
Utah
-
When you play a board game or card game with your family, do you find comfort in the solid rules of the game? Or do you coloring outside the lines and making up your own rules?
If it’s the latter, then Fluxx may be just your kind of game.
Just like the name implies, Fluxx is always in a state of flux - with the rules and objectives of the game changing constantly.
How to play Fluxx
Fluxx is a game all about change - with the game changing with almost every card played. It’s starts with a few simple rules, but once you start playing cards, the game changes and becomes more complex as players change rules or add special cards.
The flow of the game is very simple enough as players take turns drawing and playing cards. On their turn, players 1. Draw the number of cards required, 2. Play the number of cards required, 3. Discard down to the hand limit (if any), and 4. Comply with the Keeper limit (if any). And the game starts out with the Basic Rules of draw 1 card, play 1 card.
But it’s the cards themselves that change the game up once you start. So each turn players draw cards then choose which card(s) they want to play - all with their unique effect on the game. There are 5 main card types that effect the game and change it up.
The Cards
New Rule: the new rule cards can either change a rule already in play or add to it. If it contradicts a rule already in play, the new rule card replaces the one already out. If it doesn’t contradict, then it just adds to the rules. For example - a "Draw 4" new rule will replace the basic rule of "Draw 1" and then every player will draw 4 cards to start their turn. If it’s a "Hand Limit 1" then it won’t cancel the "Draw 1" basic rule but will add to it and at the end of their turn, each player will have to discard down to just 1 card in their hand.
Goal: the goal cards set the objective of the game. The game starts without an objective until someone plays a goal card. With a goal card in play once someone meets the requirements indicated on the card, they win. But this too can change and players will keep playing goal cards that will replace the one already in play. So you may be close to accomplishing the goal when the player right before you changes the goal.
Keeper: these are cards that players simply set out in front of them, face up, to keep. Most of the goal cards of the game indicate combinations of Keeper cards that you need to have in front of you to win the game. So players want to keep an assortment of Keepers in front of them. But of course, other players may also play cards that will steal your Keepers.
Action: action cards are just used once and discarded. For example, they’re the cards that will let players steal Keeper cards. And some of these action cards may create a lot of chaos. So just do what they say and be on your way.
Creeper: the Creeper cards are like Anti-Keepers. You don’t want these cards in front of you. Unfortunately you don’t have a choice when you draw a Creeper. As soon as you draw one of these cards, you have to play it in front of you.
And that’s how you play Fluxx - draw and play cards until someone wins. It’s very simple to teach and play, which makes it very easy to pull out and play with your family and friends.
Many version of Fluxx for the picking
Because Fluxx has been such a hit, Looney Labs has created a whole assortment of themed Fluxx games. And a lot of what people like about Fluxx are the funny themed versions. For example instead of just basic Keeper cards of Cookie, Bread, and Love you can have Cow, Tinfoil Hat, and Mars in the Martian Fluxx edition. Sure the game still plays the same, but when you’re playing a crazy game, why not do it with a crazy theme.
* Fluxx (original)
* Star Fluxx
* Pirate Fluxx
* Martian Fluxx
* Monty Python Fluxx
* Zombie Fluxx
* Eco Fluxx
* Family Fluxx
Can the whole family enjoy Fluxx?
To play Fluxx you’ll need to be able to read the cards. As you can see from the photos, every card has a bunch of text on it and players will need to be able to read and understand each card to know how it will affect the game. So the indicated age on the box of 8+ is about right.
Of course, enjoying Fluxx is very subjective. So even if you’re old enough, we can’t really say if you’ll like Fluxx or not. And maybe even on most days you may not like Fluxx. But on those days when you’re feeling a little crazy it may be just your thing.
In our family, dad and mom don’t much care for Fluxx, but the kids have loved it. Maybe it’s because kids like the concept of making their own rules and changing them all the time. Maybe it’s because they just love doing crazy things. Who knows exactly why, but they really enjoy Fluxx.
How much luck is involved in Fluxx?
There is a ton of luck involved in Fluxx. This game is all about what cards you draw and what crazy rules and goals are put in play. Sure you can make choices of which cards to play and thus affect the game play - so there is a slight element of control. And yes, sometimes these choices may be difficult. But since the game is such a light game, you simply make a choice and move on. Chances are the cards you play will be changed up anyway, so just play and move on and hope for crazy luck.
How does Fluxx score on the "Let's Play Again" meter?
Like I mentioned before, Fluxx scores high on our kid’s "Let's Play Again" game meter but low on mom and dad’s. Sure we’ll play it with them. Because if the kids want to have crazy fun, we’ll join in. But we won’t be the ones suggesting it. Also, because the game length is also random, you may be able to play many games back to back. So if the cards fall right and the game ends in 5 minutes, you bet they’ll be calling out to play again.
So if you want some crazy, random card playing - then pick up a copy of Fluxx.
Follow The Board Game Family:
A list of all our family board game and card game video reviews can also be found on BGG in this Family Video Reviews GeekList.
www.TheBoardGameFamily.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BoardGameFamily
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheBoardGameFamily
-
Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
-
Excellent review. I wanted to love this game, but after playing with 2 & 4, we found that some games end too soon and others never end. I'm not sure it will ever get back to the table.
Thank you.
-
Paul DeStefano
United States
Long Island
New York
It's a Zendrum. www.zendrum.com
-
The first game of Fluxx I lost before my turn.
The second game, I got to play a card and then lost.
It's not a game if the players don't get to play.
-
Trent Howell
United States
Utah
-
So true.
That's why my wife and I rated it low - but the kids really took to the crazy randomness of it.
-
|
|
