I'm a gamer, always have been. Problem is for a large number of years that's really just consisted of the video variety. That's a huge mistake on my part, to not enjoy the video game's analog brethren... the board game. There’s actually a vibrant and intense board game world out there that’s been pushed to the sidelines by game players such as ourselves for too long. In this column I'll be diving into this world, looking at games that hopefully you'd like to try out for yourself.

Fluxx is really a simple card game of "draw a card, play a card" and there's no way to win. At least, that's how it starts. Once someone plays a goal card, then the table has something to play towards. Except, that goal card could get changed. Then the next thing you know someone plays a new rule card and everyone's strategy goes out the window.

Fluxx advertises itself as "The Card Game of Ever Changing Rules" and it most certainly is just that. During the game the players not only have the ability to change the rules of the game, but also the victory conditions as well. It's lighthearted, fun, and simple to learn since the rules and how to play each card is printed right on each card. So once you get the brief overview of how it works you can usually answer any question you might have by reading the cards themselves. Now since the game is always in Fluxx (ba-dum-dum) it is a game based largely on luck. It's meant to be more of a party type game, something to play while drinking and telling stories. It's nonsensical, goofy, and chaotic (but in a good way).

So that's Fluxx, but this is totally different. This.... is Fluxx.... with Aliens!

So let's go over how the game really works. To start the game, the base rule is laid face up in the middle of the table (Draw 1 card, Play 1 card). Each player is dealt 3 cards and the game starts. Cards are made up of Keepers, Creepers, Rules, Goals, and actions.

• Keeper cards have various objects on them (Earth, Mars, Abduction Chamber) that get played onto the table in front of you. Alone they really don't do much but you'll use these to try and satisfy the current goal card.
• Creepers are played the same as keepers but usually keep you from winning.
• Rule cards can be played next to the base rule and can change any number of variables like how many cards get drawn, played, or how many you can have in your hand. These are changed and replaced and discarded constantly. One turn it could be draw 5 play 1 and the next draw 4 play all. It's all over the place.
• Goal cards are played similar to rule cards, except there's only one at a time. If someone plays a goal card on the table, you discard the old one. The goals typically list certain keepers and whoever gets them is the winner.
• Action cards are played and give you all kinds of abilities like drawing extra cards, discarding rules or trading Keepers with someone else.

So like I said, this game is based mostly on luck. Having the right keepers and the right time. I've seen people win on their first turn, and I've seen games last 30 minutes. The game says it's for 2-6 players but for my money the more the better, having just 2 players kinda misses out on the point.

In Martian Fluxx the game plays exactly the same as the other versions of Fluxx, except all the cards are themed to the Martian invasion. As a fun twist, you're playing the Martians trying to invade Earth, with Keepers being things like flying saucers and rayguns and the creepers being "Pathetic Humans." Some of the Keepers have special abilities now, with things like the Abduction Chamber being able to hide some of your Creepers. It takes a goofy game and puts a sci-fi b-movie spin on it. Since the game is basically the same though, if Martians aren't your thing you can go with Monty Python Fluxx, Zombie Fluxx, or a few other variants

As you can probably tell if you're looking for a serious game, this isn't it, which is totally fine. You see, not everyone wants to play Warhammer, and sometimes you just want to kick back and goof off.  If you want something you can break out and teach fast, even non-gamers can easily get into this one. With all the cards saying right on them when and where you can play them anyone can jump right in without having to worry about not knowing the rules. A few beers and this game had my group throughly enjoying themselves and as soon as someone won I heard "let's play again!"

Every collection of games needs a few with a nice low point of entry, and a game like Fluxx (or Martian or Zombie Fluxx) fits the bill fantastically.

We're slowly building our board game collection and we're crossing all kinds of genres to give ourselves a game for every occassion. So far we're looked at Ticket to Ride, Hive, Dominion and now Martian Fluxx. What could possibly be next? If there's a game you'd like to see us talk about please let us know in the comments!

Fluxx and it's different versions were designed by Looney Labs and was originally published in 1997. Martian Fluxx was released in 2009.

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