Marvel Fluxx

Today's review is of the 2019 release, Marvel Fluxx. For 2-6 players, it takes 5-30 minutes.

Overview

The initial rules are simple: draw a card and play a card. But in Fluxx, nothing is constant . . . and the card(s) you play each turn can change the rules and introduce (or change) win conditions. In brief, there are:

• keeper cards: cards of characters or items you play on your side of the table and use to satisfy goals
• goal cards: cards that specify the win condition. It is a set collection- if you have the keepers indicated on the goal, you win! But beware: if someone plays a new goal later, it becomes the new win condition.
• new rule cards: cards that change the number of cards you draw, number you play, or introduce another rule to the game
• action cards: one-time effect cards

types of cards; image from here

Do you have what it takes to win?

Review

Fluxx has been around for years and has many variants (check out those here). The difference between them is largely theme, so I think I can review Marvel Fluxx and speak for all variants. This game is okay, but not great. To be good, games require (among other things) meaningful decisions. This has very few; I'd call it more of a curiosity than a game. Yes, there is some choice, but this is mostly chance. The changing rules and goals is an interesting twist, and can make for some fun times, but I don't view this as a game you can play with too much strategy in mind. The goals are extremely specific and change constantly, making planning difficult if not impossible. This appears to come down to luck of the draw. For that reason, I don't mind an occasional game, but put this in the same category as purely luck games like Candyland or Chutes'n'ladders.

Rating: C+