The Fluxx line of card games is an interesting one. It starts out very simple and then can take some interesting twist and turns as the game goes on. It’s a game where you can play a ton of times in a row and each game will be different.
For this game review we will be looking at Holiday Fluxx but there seems to be an never-ending amount of themed games including Pirate Fluxx, Fairy tale Fluxx, Star Trex (in three different themes) and Zombie as well as a host of movie themed ones.
With so many to choose from, we picked Holiday Fluxx as we’re a big fan of holiday games. You can see our big list of Holiday games here.
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Starting a Game of Fluxx
To start, each player gets three cards for their hands. The basic rules card is placed beside the draw pile and the players decide who goes first.
The Fluxx Cards
To start, you need to know that there are five card types.
The first type is the new rule cards. These cards change how the game is played with directions on the card. For example, a new rule might be that you get to draw 5 cards on your turn or that you can only have 4 cards in your hand.
The second card type is the goal cards. These cards show what cards a player needs to win the game. Most of the cards will have two keeper cards that you need to win but some might have a choice of cards or need three cards to win. For example, the Christmas Greenery goal needs a player to have the pine tree card and the wreath card. The Trim the Tree goal card needs a player to have the pine tree and either the ornaments or lights cards.
That brings us to the keeper cards. These cards are objects like the pine tree or bubbly beverages. If you have the right keepers for the goal in play then you win.
Next are the action cards. These cards give players extra things to do on their turns. For example, an action might be to be one of your opponent’s keepers in the discard pile, steal a keeper, draw extra cards or trade hands.
Last are the Surprise cards. These cards have a variety of actions that can sometimes be played out of turn. For example, the veto card lets a player discard a new rule card that another player has just played.
How to Play Fluxx
To start, the basic rules of draw a card and play a card are in effect. A player can put a keeper down in front of them, play a goal card or put a new rule down. The could also play an action.
When a new rule card is played, the rules of the game have been change. For example, the basic rule is draw 1 card but a new rule could be draw 3 cards. Similarly instead of play one card, a new rule could be play 2 cards or even play all your cards.
There are also cards that let you discard not only card in your hand but also rule cards.
The game is constantly changing and you could have a multitude of rules in play at the same time.
Winning Fluxx
To win Fluxx, you will need to have the right keepers in front of you for the goal that is in play.
What We Like
First, we like that the holidays are more than just Christmas. The cards cover Halloween, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve as well as Christmas.
Second, we like that the different types of cards are easily seen. Each one has its own colour that is very obvious on the card. Also, each card clearly states what to do with it.
Next, the Fluxx rules state that a player can join at any time during the game. You simply have to deal three cards to them. We haven’t used this rule but it’s nice that it’s there.
What We Don’t Like
First, although the basic rules of draw one, play one are simple, we found that it took a few times of playing to get use to the always changing rules. The learning curve was a little long. It took a long time to get familiar with the cards and having to read each card every turn to see if it was playable was slow and clunky. Also, the fact that you have to go over the rules each turn makes it a bit slow to play.
Next, the lack of strategy was surprising to us. A number of times, someone has won and barely realised it. It was almost as if it was by accident or pure luck.
Is Holiday Fluxx Worth Adding to your Family Game Shelf?
Fluxx keeps its word about being an ever-changing card game. Once you get used to how to play, it is an easy to follow and win game that players of all ages could enjoy. Personally, I would love to try another version of Fluxx to see how another theme would go. (I hear that the Pirate one is really good.) Each different theme seems to have card and rules that match the theme.
So is it worth making room for Fluxx? I would say that if you like card games that are easy to play, go ahead and find a Fluxx that fits your interests. And if you’ve played a Fluxx game before, I would love to hear which one and what you thought of it. Just leave a comment below.
To find the Fluxx game right for you shop here. Canadians can shop for Fluxx games here.
And while you’re trying to decide check out these card games: Fe Fi Fo Fum, Play or Pay and Christmas Shenanigans. Visit our Family Game Shelf shop for tons of fun with seasonal and original games including our Christmas Explode game.
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