Cthulhu Fluxx Review

Ah, Cthulhu Fluxx. I’ve finally played this game enough times to feel confident in doing a Cthulhu Fluxx review for you. So, what did I think?

Cthulhu Fluxx is a good game about ever-changing rules and playing cards, hoping to get the right combination to meet the conditions on a Goal card (which can also change). The game is fast, fun, and easy to learn and play, but it’s also lucky, and between that and the ever-changing rules, it can overstay its welcome a bit.

Cthulhu Fluxx Overview

Let’s start with the back-of-the-box facts!

Back-Of-The-Box Facts About Cthulhu Fluxx

• Player Count: 2-6
• Time To Play: 10-40 minutes
• Age Range: 13 and up
• Difficulty: Beginner/Easy
• Price Range: $10-$20
• Release Year: 2012
• Publisher(s): Looney Labs
• Designer(s): Keith Baker
• Artist(s): Derek Ring
• Where To Buy: Amazon

What Comes In The Box?

Cthulhu Fluxx comes with 100 cards, and one rulebook, and that’s it!

Theme

Fluxx games don’t really have themes. You could say each one is “themed” differently in the sense that Cthulhu Fluxx uses people, items, and other such things from Lovecraftian stories and Doctor Who Fluxx uses the same stuff but from the Doctor Who universe. But the truth is Fluxx games are just card games with some mechanics/ideas inspired by those settings, and that’s just fine with me.

How To Play Cthulhu Fluxx

In Cthulhu Fluxx, players draw and play cards according to the rules. When the game begins, each player has three cards in their hand. The Basic Rules card says each player will draw and play one card. These will remain the rules until someone plays a New Rule card, which will alter how many cards players can draw or play.

Players can also play Goal cards, which change the conditions for winning the game. There are also Keeper cards, which are people, items, etc. players keep in front of them, hoping they get the right ones to meet the conditions on the Goal cards.

Action cards are another type of card in Cthulhu Fluxx, which let players do things like swap cards with other players.

There are a few other types of cards too, such as Ungoal cards, Surprise cards, and Creeper cards. Ungoal cards are like Goal cards except if a player meets their conditions, everyone loses (with some exceptions). Creeper cards are like Keepers, but players don’t want them. And Surprise cards can be played at any time, usually to complete something like an action.

Players keep going until a Goal or Ungoal card’s conditions are met, in which case the game is over, and either a player wins or no one does. Yay, Cthulhu Fluxx!

Cthulhu Fluxx Review

So, what do I think of this kooky little game? Well, let’s start with the art.

Art

I dig the art in Cthulhu Fluxx. It’s illustrative without being too cartoony, and it doesn’t depict its subject matter too seriously, letting people just enjoy playing the game.

Components

The only components in Cthulhu Fluxx are the cards. They’re not the best cards ever, but they have a nice glossy finish and rounded corners, so I’m not complaining.

Theme

There’s no theme in this game. Yes, it uses things from Lovecraft’s stories, but not for any other reason than to play cards in interesting ways.

Gameplay

This is where Fluxx games really shine. Every turn is quick. There’s not much to think about, although there’s certainly strategy in the game.

The rules are quite clear on what you can do, so you do what they say, make choices on what you’re going to play, and then your turn is over. That sounds a bit stiffer than I want it to, but the game is simple and the turns are quick. I like that.

Replayability

Cthulhu Fluxx isn’t infinitely replayable. It just isn’t. It definitely can be replayed lots of times, but with only 100 cards, no expansions, and I’m not sure if you can combine the different versions of Fluxx, after a few plays the games going to start feeling a bit samey.

Cthulhu Fluxx: My Rating

So, here’s the thing about Cthulhu Fluxx. When it comes to my collection, I’m glad I have it, and I’m glad I got it. However, I’m not so over the moon about it that I want to go out and get another Fluxx game. I might, it’s definitely tempting, but I don’t feel compelled to get it.

So, let’s start with the positives. Cthulhu Fluxx, and I imagine all the Fluxx games, are made by people who love board games and the experiences they bring. Fluxx is just a fun idea that anyone can enjoy.

The rules are constantly changing! It’s hilarious, fun, and fast. So, what’s not to like?

What’s Not To Like?

Well, you’ll have to go into Cthulhu Fluxx and other Fluxx games with the right attitude. That’s because there will be a lot of luck. Luck in what players draw and luck in what the other players play. You could have a great setup and are about to win the game when someone plays an Action or Goal card that changes everything.

Sometimes that happens in a Fluxx game, so you have to go in expecting it and embracing it.

But my main sticking point for Cthulhu Fluxx and for all Fluxx games is they feel like they overstay their welcome ever so slightly. See, as you’ve probably guessed, a game of Fluxx can end really fast or take quite a while. I have yet to experience the game ending quickly, but I have experienced it ending slowly.

And I hate that that’s affecting how I think of the game. I want to recommend it to others, I really do, but I think this is a Wait For A Sale game. I do think everyone should own at least one Fluxx game in their collection, but you don’t have to go out and do that right away. Trust me, they’ll be there when you’re ready for them.

But the thing is the fact that Fluxx can go on for longer than it should, and the fact that’s happened a couple of times for me now takes away from my enjoyment of the game. I think that could happen to others too.

So, wait a while, get it on sale, or when you’re just looking for a silly little game, and see if you have better luck than me with Cthulhu Fluxx. I hope you do.

Did You Know?

(Each time you refresh the page you will get a new “Did You Know” fact!)

Did you know that Uno is really easy to play? That’s why it’s a great filler game in its own right. Check out our breakdown of how to play Uno!

Conclusion: Cthulhu Fluxx Review

And, as always, keep on gaming, fellow board gamers.