Fluxx is the perfect name for this game. That is because you never know when the rules will change, or if the goal you are trying to achieve will be the same when you take your next turn. There are eighty four cards in the game, and honestly the nice thing about the game is the rules are pretty much written on the cards. Yes, there are some basic guidelines, but the basic game play rule is that you follow what is on the cards that are played.
In the game there are four different types of cards. They are rule cards, goal cards, keeper cards, and action cards. The rule cards tell you the rules of the game. The game starts with the basic rule flipped over which instructs each player to draw one card and play one card on their turn, and remains as the only rule until another rule card is played. Goal cards define what you have to do to win the game. The trick is any time someone plays a different goal card the criteria to win the game changes. Keeper cards are in general the “tools” you need to meet your goals. Players play these in front of them and if they have the correct keeper goals in front of them to match the current goal, they win the game! Of course no game is complete without a little mid of madness. That is what the action cards. They will tell you at times to draw, play, or discard multiple numbers of cards. To start the game everyone receives three cards from the deck and they can be any of the types just listed. To continue the game follow the rules on the rule card.
Action cards will give you the chance to play cards that will change the rules, goals, and play keeper cards. The key is to be able to play the required keeper cards to win the game according to the current goal. Beware though, if one of your opponents thinks you are getting close to winning the game they will do their best to change the rules of the game. When someone finally meets the goal they win the game. I say “finally”, but the true trick of this game is you never know how long it will last. In theory you could win on the first deal, or after a round or two. The game could also last a very large number of rounds before a winner meets the current goal.
Honestly as you can probably guess, there isn’t a lot of strategy to this game. This is more of a time killer than anything else for a night that you are looking for an easy game that won’t strain your brain. At about $8 retail though, it’s one of those games that’s worth to have around, it works well if you are killing time before a dinner or going out somewhere. With the parts just being the cards, it’s easily portable.
