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Fluxx is a card game in which the cards themselves determine the current rules of the game. By playing cards, you change numerous aspects of the game: how to draw cards, how to play cards, and even how to win.
At the start of the game, each player holds three cards and on a turn a player draws one card, then plays one card. By playing cards, you can put new rules into play that change numerous aspects of the game: how many cards to draw or play, how many cards you can hold in hand or keep on the table in front of you, and (most importantly) how to win the game.
In Mystery Fluxx, a slew of detectives is trying to solve the mystery by collecting clues, examining locations, finding weapons, and sussing out secrets...all without being eliminated themselves!
The game's artwork, actions, and card titles allude to favorite mystery characters and plotlines, including Clue, Sherlock Holmes, Murder on the Orient Express, The Maltese Falcon, Dragnet, Columbo, Monk, Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, investigative teams such as CSI, NCIS, and Law & Order, and teen detectives such as Scooby Doo, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown, and the Enid Blyton characters.
Mystery Fluxx features a larger-than-normal number of card types: Meta Rules, Keepers, Creepers, Goals, New Rules, Actions, Surprises, Dangers (which eliminate you for one turn), and a brand new card type: Secrets!
Mystery Fluxx
- flexible themes within the Flux framework
- short playtimes with constant variability
- great for fans of light, variable-rule games
- detective/mystery crossover with Flux mechanics
- mystery-themed Flux variant
- changing rules through cards
- Flux
- Monty Python Flux
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- flux (changing rules) — the cards you play alter draw rules, hand size, win conditions, etc.
- thematic card variety — different mystery themes (Clue, Sherlock Holmes, etc.) appear on cards
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This plays two to four players in about 45 minutes and it is the lower end of mediumweight game.
- After the game you can customize your hero's deck with their hero crafting system.
- This is a lighterweight game.
- If you like arguing games, if you like party games, then check out the super fight second edition who would win party game.
- Flip 7 is a really awesome push your luck game.
- Exit Kids Midnight Spooktacular… plays one to four players in about 20 minutes.
References (from this video)
- Strong, cohesive mystery theme leveraging popular tropes
- Creative card design that captures detective fiction vibes
- Flexible play with a meta-rule that can change game length and dynamics
- Engaging for mystery enthusiasts and fans of the Flux family
- Creeper cards can slow or frustrate players depending on luck and hand
- Meta-rule may be polarizing; some groups may opt to remove it
- Rule-checking and setup can be a bit heavier for casual players
- Mystery, deduction, deception, intrigue
- Mystery-solving themed around classic detective fiction tropes (Agatha Christie–style)
- Detective-novel vibe with trope-driven storytelling through cards and interactions
- Word Flux
- Flux
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Actions — special actions such as naming a secret, stealing, or moving cards between players
- Creeper Cards — negative cards that hinder players and can cause elimination
- elimination and re-entry — players can be eliminated and later re-enter by drawing a new hand
- Goal cards — changing win conditions tied to mystery tropes (e.g., kitchen + red herring)
- Hidden Roles — hidden information cards that players reveal to harm others
- Keeper cards — front-of-board cards that players strive to collect to win
- new rules — variant rule cards that alter core gameplay (e.g., draw five, draw five per turn)
- out-of-turn stealing — steal another player's keeper at any time to block them
- Player Elimination — players can be eliminated and later re-enter by drawing a new hand
- secrets — hidden information cards that players reveal to harm others
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is mystery flux. Like I said, it is potentially my new favorite theme for Flux, only maybe edged out by word flux.
- Like all of the versions of Flux, it starts out with the basic rule.
- So, as the name suggests, flux. Lots of things are going to be in flux and changing.
- And finally, you will have the goal cards.
- maybe you want to be eliminated and start over with a new hand of three.
References (from this video)
- fast, light, and party-friendly
- fits Flux family vibe
- player elimination can be a turn-off for some
- murder/mystery deduction via Flux-like play
- mystery-themed party game
- episodic clues and elimination
- Fluxx
- Flux
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card_play — play cards to influence outcomes and player elimination
- Player Elimination — eliminate players through card effects
- player_elimination — eliminate players through card effects
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We love Santorini. It is so much fun.
- Lightning Train is a bag builder.
- Mystery Flux is fun, but it has player elimination quickly.
- The cover art is amazing.
- Earth Abundance expands Conservas with seeds and sprouts.
- Message in a Bottle is a unique packaging idea.