#fluxxdice

[yetanothergamingcouple]

Fluxx & Fluxx Dice

Today we’re reviewing Fluxx and Fluxx Dice. First we’ll look at Fluxx. It was first published by Looney Labs in 1997, however we’re reviewing the 2014 edition.  It’s a 2-6 player competitive card game, with an age rating of 8 years and up.

The artwork on the cards is clear, and the items are easily recognisable. In case of any confusion, they are also annotated with text. This helps with abstract cards like “Dreams” and “The Party” but once familiar with the images, the cards can be recognised with a glance. The cards are sturdy and solid with a non-slippery finish. We have used our set numerous times and the cards have remained unaffected, although the box has a little wear and tear damage.

In our opinion, Fluxx is best learned as you play rather than spending a lot of time trying to understand the game mechanics from reading the rule sheet. There is a useful FAQ on the back, we’ve used this maybe a handful of times. The beginning of each game starts very simply. Each player has 3 cards. They draw a card and play a card.  The rules will evolve and the goal for winning the game will change multiple times. New rules and goals are drawn and played from the main draw pile, however there are some action cards that let you draw cards from the discard pile.

Some rules allow players to draw or play more cards, but the rules must always be obeyed. Action cards allow players to perform different moves like take cards from players or rotate hands. Some of the rule cards can restrict how many cards a player can hold as well as how many keepers they can have in play.

The usual way to win a game of Fluxx is by having keeper cards. These are usually things like chocolate, bread, toasters, a TV, and other commonly known objects. You match these together to form the goal(s) in play. If you have the toaster and the TV keepers in play and then play “The Appliances” goal you win the game.

There is an immense amount of luck in Fluxx due to the random nature of the main card stack, however playing certain cards at the right time can affect the game and make your position more favourable (stealing a keeper to complete the goal is a particular favourite move of Andy’s).

(Here is Kirsty winning)

The game play time can vary wildly depending on how the cards are drawn.  For today’s review our playtime clocked in at 10 minutes.  With Kirsty being the victor for this round.  The game will lengthen with more players and time between turns will be longer which means that cards that you desire may be revealed when it isn't your turn. The unlimited replay value comes from the shuffling of the deck. This ensures that every game is different. Playing with different numbers of people will also give a different game as well.

In addition to this edition of Fluxx there are also different themes. For example there is a Chemistry Fluxx, Star Trek Fluxx, Doctor Who Fluxx, and many, many more, the list goes on.

This is a great game with tons of replay value and very portable (except when the rules get out of hand). It’s one we play again and again, and the themes keep it fresh and exciting.  We slightly disagree on the rating but that’s purely because Kirsty prefers Monster Fluxx to the original.  Overall Andy gives it 9/10 and Kirsty rates it as 8/10.

Now we move on to Fluxx Dice.  Fluxx Dice was published by Looney Labs in 2015 and has an age rating of 8 years and up. It’s an expansion which can be played with any version of Fluxx, but we tried it out with the original.

Fluxx Dice adds an additional 5 cards and 2 dice to the game.  The 5 cards comprise of a new keeper, a rule, a creeper, an action, and a meta rule. The artwork and quality of the cards are in keeping with the original Fluxx.  A nice distinguishing factor is the expansion cards have a different font to existing Fluxx games.  There is 1 black dice which dictates how many cards you draw.  While the white dice indicates how many cards to play. Although the dice are large and chunky in size they are lightweight.

Just as in previous Fluxx games we feel it is better to just dive in and learn as you play.  A variation on previous games is the Meta Rule card means that if everyone agrees the game begins with the Dice Override card in play.  All the other expansion cards are then shuffled into the playing deck and the game can begin.  The dice add a slight variation to the rules as they replace the draw and play rule cards.  However if you draw a draw/play rule card you can opt to overrule the dice and for one turn draw/play the number on the rule card.  If the Rule Reset card is played the Dice Override card is removed from play and placed in the discard pile, if at a later point in the game it is played the player to play it then immediately rolls the dice to determine their new draw and play for that turn.

Fluxx Dice relies heavily on luck.  Like with other Fluxx games this is partly due to the random drawing of card but more so due the dice factor.  Meaning you never know how many cards to draw and play until you’ve started your turn.

As with all Fluxx games the play time wildly varies depending on the number of players and the draw of cards.  Our playtime was 15 minutes for a 2-player game, this felt just right in length.  It also has a high replay value and adds additional replay value to existing Fluxx games due to the changing of each players draw and play turn.

Overall it is a fun and must have addition to lovers of Fluxx.  It’s quick and easy to pick up the rule variation. We both rate Fluxx Dice 9/10 due the flexibility to add it to all of the Fluxx series.

[cbunye]

The post #MARCON tradition continues - playing card games with friends. This should be interesting, or even more chaotic. #Fluxx #DoctorWho #FluxxDice #WibblyWobblyTimeyWimey (at Hyatt Regency Columbus)