GeekInsight
United States
La Mirada
California
Giant Fire Breathing Robot
gfbrobot.com
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Fluxx has been around for a while now. Like Munchkin, Fluxx can now be found in several flavors (including, most recently, Monty Python and Martian). Each plays almost exactly the same, so you can pretty much pick up the theme you like best and not bother much with the others. Fluxx is the ultimate 'waiting in line' game. It’s portable, it’s simple, and when the line finally starts to move, you won’t mind picking it up. At the same time, it’s quite entertaining.
The Basics. Fluxx is very simple. There is only one rule: Draw One Card, Play One Card. That’s it. At the beginning, there aren’t even any win conditions. However, the cards you play can alter the game dramatically. For example some of the cards introduce new rules into the game. They can have players draw additional cards, play additional cards, or even introduce hand limits.
Other cards, called Keepers, sit in front of you, just staring at you, hoping one day to be useful. Goals, meanwhile, introduce the conditions for victory. In general, the goal will require a player to have two or more specified keepers in front of him or her. Finally, Action cards allow the player to take some specified action.
Fluxx is never the same. The rules are constantly changing, and the fun of the game lies in trying to remember what all the rules currently are. Its inconsistency is both a benefit and a detriment. The majority of games are incredibly fun with huge fluctuations. But occasionally you’ll play a game where the rules end up as Draw Five, Play One. Everyone has huge hands and the game bogs down.
This game, while incredibly random, also allows for some modicum of strategy. A goal you may be able to reach is generally best saved until you’re close to reaching it. And, if you have a lot of Keepers, sometimes it is good to introduce a rule requiring players to play all cards from their hand in the hope that they’ll be forced to play a Goal that you meet and therefore win.
However, it's important to understand what this game isn’t. This game is not a deep thinking, strategic endeavor. Fluxx is not an analytical challenge. In fact, I would never invite a group of friends over specifically for the purpose of playing Fluxx, as I would some other games. If Fluxx comes up, great. It can be played between heavier games, or while some people make a late night food run.
Components: 4 of 5. The cards are on nice stock and are about the size of typical playing cards. Maybe just a hair smaller. They are easy to shuffle. The artwork is serviceable, if a bit ordinary. Many of the cards are text only, though they are clear enough. Despite the neat box art, on the inside Fluxx really doesn’t have much to look at.
Strategy/Luck Balance: 1 of 5. Fluxx is highly luck driven with almost no strategy aspects. Some strategy does exist in certain situations, but mostly you are at the mercy of the cards. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Playing Fluxx is about playing a game where you are completely out of control on every other player’s turn. It’s about reacting to random and often forced changes. It can be very entertaining, but it very much is ruled by the luck of the draw. One major drawback are the Creepers. Some of them are harder to get rid of than others. Getting a Creeper can be a pain in the neck to get rid of and create unnecessary consternation in an otherwise light-hearted game.
Mechanics: 4 of 5. Overall, the simple nature of the game is a huge bonus. Especially because the simple rule of Draw One, Play One can quickly become a convoluted mess as more and more rules are played on top of one another. There are even rules that impact other rules, such as Inflation which adds numbers to all the other rules. Mechanically, it works well, and it’s up to the players to keep it straight.
Replayability: 5 of 5. Fluxx really is never the same way twice. There are very few 'strategies' that are even applicable to Fluxx. And, in most games, players don’t get to hang on to too many cards, so even if a successful strategy is devised, it can be very hard to implement. As a result, you are left with what feels like seat-of-your-pants play that can be very engaging.
Spite: 3 of 5. Some spite exists in Fluxx. There are definitely Actions that let you attack other players or steal their Keepers. These cards are not as common as in, say, Munchkin, but are frequent enough that every player can expect to see two or three during the course of a normal game.
Overall: 3.5 of 5. If you want strategy, depth, the ability to see plans come to fruition, or many meaningful choices, you will be highly disappointed in Fluxx. If you want light, easy to learn, portable zaniness, then Fluxx may be the way to go. Like I said, I consider it one of the best line games. If you have to quit a game of Fluxx in the middle, oh well. If you have to quit a game of Agricola in the middle ... riots.
See this review (with pictures), and my other travels through board game geekery, at the Giant Fire Breathing Robot!
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V L
United States
Virginia
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No strategy, but it does have tactics.
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Bill Eldard
United States
Burke
Virginia
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Neo42 wrote: No strategy, but it does have tactics.
Nothing to speak of.
Players look to play the most effective card from their hand of randomly drawn cards. The chaos minimizes the opportunities. When the
rules permit a player to play more than one card, there are combinations of cards that can have a synergistic effect. But I don't consider that tactics.
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Thread title wrote: Sometimes fun, Sometimes not.
... And always random.
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United States
Norwood
Massachusetts
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Here's hoping this is a good Farkel replacement for that late night, one-more-game crowd...
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Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
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I just received my copy today and must say I am very impressed by this game. Light and lots of just plain silly fun.
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Steve Duff
Canada
Ottawa
Ontario
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Orangemoose wrote: I just received my copy today and must say I am very impressed by this game. Light and lots of just plain silly fun.
Welcome, Brother. 
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Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
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Steve - I'm looking hard at Pirate Fluxx and Zombie Fluxx. Your thoughts?
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Steve Duff
Canada
Ottawa
Ontario
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Haven't played either, sorry.
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Bryan Stout
United States
Annandale
Virginia
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Orangemoose wrote: Steve - I'm looking hard at Pirate Fluxx and Zombie Fluxx. Your thoughts?
I have all versions of Fluxx (except Stoner), and enjoy them all. I consider Pirate Fluxx the best one yet.
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Andy Andersen
United States
Newark
Delaware
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Thanks to you both .
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