designed by loony laboratories
published by iron crown enterprises
83 cards
$8.95

Not collectible! Okay, so with that out of the way, let's talk about Fluxx. I've read and written quite a few reviews in my tenure in this industry, and while I can appreciate a game that critics say have no rules (read "lack substance") what do you say about a game where the rules are constantly changing? You say this...

Fluxx is one of the most brilliant card game designs of this decade. I mean it. While it may seem confusing that the rules of the game keep changing from turn to turn, just a little patience and perception are required to make it through your first game.

Start by dealing three cards to each player. The starting rules are to draw one card, and play one card. Then all Hell breaks loose. Basically there are four types of card to play, color coded for quick recognition. Goal Cards (pink) establish the victory condition (which doesn't last long - it gets changed as quickly as it was set out). Each Goal Card requires a player to meet its requirement to win the game, which may include the possession of Keeper Card (puke green) combinations as Milk and Cookies, Death and Taxes, Peace and Love, etc. Then there are the Action Cards (blue) which may allow you to perform such actions as A Keeper, Draw 2 And Use `Em, etc. However, this game would truly lack substance beyond an exercise in random mechanics if it didn't have the New 'Rule cards (yellow). True strategy in this game comes from Steal playing new rules to best set yourself up for the win or to just mess with the other players (though this by no means guarantees anything). Try the Editor's favorite tricks [hey]... Draw 5, then play Hand Limit 0, or Draw 1 and Play All. Quite frustrating. Bear in mind that each New Rule replaces any New Rule already in play that contradicts it. What it all comes down to is careful consideration of card play order based upon the rule cards that are currently in play. Fluxx is not predictable, and it's always a little shocking when someone does win. Late (it's done in about 10 minutes so there is no late) in the game things get weird, and players are slapping everything down to try and win. This game is busy and you never sit around and watch someone think about what next? Rule cards (yellow). True strategy in this game comes from Steal playing new rules to best set yourself up for the win or to just mess with the other players (though this by no means guarantees anything). Try the Editor's favorite tricks [hey]... Draw 5, then play Hand Limit 0, or Draw 1 and Play All. Quite frustrating. Bear in mind that each New Rule replaces any New Rule already in play that contradicts it. What it all comes down to is careful consideration of card play order based upon the rule cards that are currently in play. Fluxx is not predictable, and it's always a little shocking when someone does win. Late (it's done in about 10 minutes so there is no late) in the game things get weird, and players are slapping everything down to try and win. This game is busy and you never sit around and watch someone think about what next? Rule cards (yellow). True strategy in this game comes from Steal playing new rules to best set yourself up for the win or to just mess with the other players (though this by no means guarantees anything). Try the Editor's favorite tricks [hey]... Draw 5, then play Hand Limit 0, or Draw 1 and Play All. Quite frustrating. Bear in mind that each New Rule replaces any New Rule already in play that contradicts it. What it all comes down to is careful consideration of card play order based upon the rule cards that are currently in play. Fluxx is not predictable, and it's always a little shocking when someone does win. Late (it's done in about 10 minutes so there is no late) in the game things get weird, and players are slapping everything down to try and win. This game is busy and you never sit around and watch someone think about what next?

The cards themselves are bridge cut in size and of moderate card quality, but shuffle well. As for re-playability, this one has countless hours of entertainment. With the flow of the game constantly changing, there's very little possibility of the game growing stale. Fluxx is a steal at its retail price, and can be played virtually anywhere, not to mention that it's simple enough for the kiddies to learn and enjoy. Fun for the whole family. How can you beat that?

Fluxx: every turn it's a new game.
not collectible!
No really, the designer's last name actually is l ooney.

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