Disclosure: Meeple Mountain received a free copy of this product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. This review is not intended to be an endorsement.
Feeling Fluxx
Fluxx. Many of those reading this have probably heard or played an iteration of Fluxx before. Some probably have a copy of two on their shelf right now. Fluxx is a card game system from Looney Labs that has been around since 1997 and reimagined in over thirty different variations. These come from educational variants, such as Anatomy Fluxx, to Math Fluxx, to licensed variants like Marvel Fluxx, to Monty Python Fluxx. Here on Meeple Mountain, we have previously reviewed Fluxx Remix, Across America Fluxx, Around the World Fluxx, and (Alice in) Wonderland Fluxx. There is a Fluxx for everyone at the party. For those not familiar, Fluxx is a card game system that starts fairly simply, drawing and then playing a card, with no determined way to win. As the game progresses, the game state changes constantly (always in flux, you could say), adding rules and winning conditions. The games are meant to be easily teachable, quick, and never the same game twice. Mystery Fluxx is the newest version in the line, where every player is a suspect in a fast-paced “whodunnit” mystery game. For reference, this is the first Fluxx game I’ve ever played. I (erroneously) have discounted Fluxx in the past, but hey, better late than never, right?
There’s a mystery afoot
Within the first turn, there is likely no winning condition, and players follow the simple, draw one card/play one card turn. Over time, the game state changes where players need to play “keeper” cards in front of them, in hopes that they have the right combination that matches a player’s “goal” card. Within the deck are rule cards that change the draw/play/keeper limits, along with “surprise” cards that can instantly cancel other cards.
You’ve Been Poisoned!
Players can be eliminated (become the murder victim) from “danger” cards that target players with specifically played cards. Upon elimination, all the player’s cards are discarded, and the player sits out. Fear not, however, players can be dealt back in if the game comes back to them without someone winning. To raise the stakes even higher, there are “secrets” cards that, if revealed, will eliminate a player. It’s a wild round of accusations, investigations, and murder most foul. The game instantly ends when a player has the set of cards that match the current goal, thus solving the murder and securing victory.
It Wasn’t Me!
Wow. I was genuinely surprised by how much fun this game turned out to be. We paired it with friends and craft beers, and Mystery Fluxx quickly became the highlight of the night. There’s no intense jockeying for position here—it’s pure chaos with just enough strategy to make you feel clever when you win (and only a little salty when you lose).
The game is so fast and unpredictable that losing just feels like an excuse to shuffle up and try again. Turns can spiral hilariously out of control when you’re drawing four cards and are forced to play them all, leading to moments where plans crash and burn in spectacular fashion.
I especially loved the “hot potato” chaos of cards like the Time Bomb, which prevents players from winning while holding it, but it rotates each turn if no one has won yet. In one playthrough, everyone managed to eliminate each other, leaving the last player standing by sheer dumb luck. (A true murder mystery miracle.) However, the game could overstay its welcome if no one can achieve the goal or if new rules aren’t added to speed up the game.
Apparently, other versions of Fluxx don’t include player elimination, but here it feels like part of the charm, mainly because you’re never out for long, and frankly, you’re probably the next murderer anyway.
If you’re like me and you’ve spent years side-eyeing Fluxx from afar. Let me just say: Mystery Fluxx is a blast and well worth your time. It’s quick, it’s absurd, and it’s the kind of party game that ensures nobody leaves the table without laughing—or at least accusing their best friend of foul play.
In Mystery Fluxx, everyone’s guilty of something. The real crime is not playing it sooner.
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