»The crazy labyrinth«: What became of the board game classic?

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An older edition of »The Crazy Labyrinth«

Photo:

Diana Doert / DER SPIEGEL

"The crazy labyrinth"

What was it again?

We have a job: criss-cross the maze and be the first to find all the mysterious things off our cards.

Let's go!

Does that sound easy?

Yes, it would all be child's play if the competition didn't constantly rearrange the damned maze.

The labyrinth consists of seven by seven fields, each with a course card.

Every second row created in this way can be moved using another gear card.

Annoying, because the cards contain exactly the creatures and magical objects that we need to visit.

All the important things - magic book, unicorn, ring and gemstone - are shown again on treasure cards, which are distributed evenly and face down to all players.

The goal of the game is to reach all of these treasures one after the other with your character on the board.

Sounds easy with 49 fields?

If it were over, there wouldn't be those darned gears that you have to change with every move.

This quickly creates new paths and annoying dead ends.

If the black cat was just within reach, the other players quickly destroyed the nice plan and moved it to the other end of the maze.

Is that still good today?

When the game came out in 1986, my maze skills were excellent.

My pain threshold for frustration, on the other hand, was on the average level.

Even today it can drive me crazy when the path to the object I am looking for disappears again and again.

Fortunately, you can get back at the others immediately.

However, one should not be overly sensitive.

The game is still beautifully designed, fortunately the visual changes are limited.

If you're looking for a good children's game that teaches your little ones to plan a few steps in advance, this is still the place for you.

And if you notice that it's getting too easy, you can continue gambling with the then successor »The Labyrinth of the Masters«.

Ravensburger;

2 – 4 players;

from 7 years;

Author: Max J. Kobbert

For those with nostalgia allergies, here are a few more recommendations for labyrinth games that are guaranteed to make your blood pressure shoot up.

»Magic Maze«

What's the matter?

We messed up the “being a hero” quite badly.

We, a mage, a heroine, a barbarian, and a thief have embarrassedly had our gear stolen.

If nothing helps, we'll move to the nearest shopping center and just steal the new stuff together.

Everyone in at the same time, looting, meeting at the exit - at least that's the plan.

But it's not that easy after all.

Firstly, we don't talk to each other.

Second: The shopping center is only gradually being built.

Third: We have little time for the coup.

Luckily we play together and are allowed to move all the figures.

But each of us only in a certain direction.

In this way, the points of the compass are evenly distributed to the players.

You start with a department store tile and the freshly turned over hourglass.

From now on we have to put the characters in the right places, all with the appropriate movement options, of course.

As soon as a figure stands on the matching symbol, a new department store tile is created.

So the urgently needed gun shops gradually appear.

Once everyone has captured the necessary equipment, all we have to do is run to the exit.

If only the hourglass hadn't almost run out!

Luckily, when you reach certain locations, you can turn them around and then even talk to each other briefly.

The rules of the game are gradually explained within seven introductory scenarios, otherwise our looters would work up a sweat.

Is that any good?

For everyone who finds The Crazy Labyrinth too quiet and likes to be silent and cooperative, Magic Maze is just the right game.

The hourglass that runs much too fast and the lack of verbal communication can drive you insane.

When everyone is well-rehearsed, quite remarkable games come about.

Sometimes talking is overrated.

Pegasus;

1 – 8 players;

from 8 years;

Author: Kasper Lapp

»Saboteur The Lost Mines«

What's the matter?

Dwarves and gold, as we know at least since »Lord of the Rings«, are an inseparable combination.

It is therefore not surprising that the two clans in the game »Saboteur The Lost Mines« will stop at nothing to be the first to find their way through the forest to the coveted mines.

First, character cards are distributed secretly, because not every dwarf is a loyal clan member, no, there are also traitors in their own ranks.

Each clan has its starting field, from which the path through the forest can be built and actions carried out with the help of hand cards.

In addition to the slowly growing paths, there is the opportunity to learn more about the mines.

Because not all of them contain valuable treasures, some harbor dangerous dragons.

In addition, there are traps lurking along the way that must be rendered harmless.

The secret identities of the other dwarfs, annoying trolls along the way and uncooperative weather do the rest, so that there is no boredom and you cannot collect the treasures in passing.

The game goes over two rounds.

As soon as no cards can be drawn from your hand, the current round ends.

Finally, the true identity of each dwarf is uncovered and a grand cash register crash is made.

The clan with the most victory points wins.

Is that any good?

The large board game variant of the card game »Saboteur« is in no way inferior to the small model.

Dwarfs, a dragon, treasures, scheming spies in their own ranks and always new dead ends and traps on the way to the coveted mines.

Fortunately, the entertaining game never lasts so long that it remains in one game.

amigo;

3 – 9 players;

from 10 years on;

Author: Frederic Moyersoen

»Ghost Adventure«

What's the matter?

One roundabout, many paths and lots of bonus points.

But one after anonther.

In this game, we help a little ghost mouse to protect the inhabitants of our tranquil spinning top world from danger.

When you play, you guide a spinning top that spins incredibly fast over multi-layered game boards that are printed on both sides.

One-handed, of course, game plan and player changes included.

Each game consists of a mission that states which of the game boards are to be played on and what you have to achieve on the boards with the spinning top.

Since a spinning top doesn't spin forever, there are magic potions that allow you to restart without losing the whole game.

However, the number of potions is limited, so it is a good idea to consult with your fellow players before the spinning top rotates what is to be done in which order and by whom.

Once you have mastered the beginner missions, nothing stands in the way of the big spinning top mission.

Is that any good?

This rush!

Turn game boards, pass them on, look for symbols, keep an eye on the spinning top, all at the same time.

As a passionate gross motorist, I have a hard time keeping up with the younger and much more capable gyroscope experts, but that doesn't spoil the fun in the least.

If you are looking for a game that guarantees that no one can stay seated, this is the place for you.

Pegasus;

1 – 4 players;

from 8 years;

Author: Vlad Watine