Monty Python Fluxx Card Game

A Review of Looney Lab's Latest Fluxx Incarnation

Feb 3, 2009 Paul Comeau

Monty Python Fluxx is a fun game for any group, but is particularly rewarding to existing Fluxx players and Python Fans.

Monty Python Fluxx starts like every game of Fluxx with a Basic Rules card on the table, instructing players to start with an initial hand of three cards, and to draw a card and play a card during each of their turns. The game gets more complex as turns progress because each card played changes or impacts the rules of the game.

Types of Cards

There are five types of cards in Monty Python Fluxx:

• New Rule cards modify the rules of the game. This can include drawing or playing additional cards, limiting the number of cards you can keep in your hand, or more exotic Python-themed rules.
• Action cards instruct you to do what they say, and then discard them after their effect is complete. The Fluxx staples like Jackpot!, Draw 2 and Use Em, and Rules Reset are all present in the deck, complemented by a host of wacky Python actions to counter the silliness.
• Goals are cards played to the table that state the win condition players are playing for. This win condition can change rapidly whenever a new Goal is played.
• Keepers are cards you play on the table in front of you. Collecting appropriate combinations of them to complete the requirements of a Goal card is the primary win condition in Fluxx.
• Creepers are a card type first introduced with Zombie Fluxx that prevents players who have them from winning the game unless the goal says otherwise. Creepers cannot be held in hand, and must be played the instant they are drawn. A new card is then drawn to replace them.

Playing with the Python Theme

All of the Keepers, Creepers, and Goals in the deck are characters, objects and references from the Holy Grail movie, and the Flying Circus television show. In addition, more than half of the Actions, as well as five of the New Rules in the deck are also Python-related. Players familiar with Python will enjoy the references to their favorite characters, quotes, and sketches. The cards feature excellent full-color artwork, a step up from 'standard' Fluxx.

Playing the Game

Monty Python Fluxx plays like a game of 'standard' Fluxx while capturing the tongue-in-cheek flavor of Monty Python. Additionally, several of the Keepers in the game have rules text on them, an innovation first seen in Zombie Fluxx, that plays well and adds a new layer of depth to the game not seen in the original Fluxx (versions 3.1 and earlier).

A Few Downsides

While Monty Python Fluxx is fun, a few aspects of the game detract from it's quality. The first concerns non-Python fans. While non-Python fans can play the game, including players who have never played Fluxx previously, three powerful cards in the game overly reward players for knowing their Python. These cards, the New Rule I Want to Sing, and the Actions What is Your Quote, and Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink... allow players who can quote scenes or sing Python songs to draw and play extra cards, giving them a game breaking advantage. For a more enjoyable game for non-Python fans, try playing without these cards to level the playing field.

While the full-color illustrations on the cards are top-notch, the quality of card stock the game is printed on is inferior to older versions of the game.

These things aside, if you are a fan of either Fluxx or Monty Python, pick this game up and try 'something completely different.'

The copyright of the article Monty Python Fluxx Card Game in Card/Board/Lawn Games is owned by Paul Comeau. Permission to republish Monty Python Fluxx Card Game in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Monty Python Fluxx box cover