Tabletop Tuesday - Labyrinth

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of magical halls with moving walls that is Labyrinth.

Players: 2-4
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy



Labyrinth is an oldie but goodie, with a simple concept, but loads of depth and considered calculation to be had.  Each player starts in a corner of the maze and is given a stack of cards containing magical items and beings in which to locate throughout the maze.  Each player is only allowed to look at and search for one card at a time.  The maze itself is made up of various tiles branching in various directions, with there being one extra tile outside the maze.  Players use this extra tile to push all the tiles in one of the rows / columns in the maze over one space, thus creating new paths in which to navigate and explore.  The only rule is that players cannot push a row / column of tiles in the opposite direction just pushed (so as to prevent stalemates).  Once the tiles have been pushed, players can then move along any uninterrupted path as far as they'd like before concluding their turn.  The first player to claim all their required treasures and return to their starting location shall escape the labyrinth and be deemed winner.

Players can choose the orientation of the piece in which to be pushed into any marked row / column, which can often prove to be a crucial factor to consider for creating and/or blocking potential paths.

The game is complex enough in trying to visualize how paths will be created and altered from pushing pieces, sometimes trying to plot routes across multiple turns only having to rethink plans as other players adjust the paths themselves.  Once able to get a handle of these shifting mechanics though, players can really dig deep into this game and start factoring in more advanced strategies.  Pushing tiles not only creates new paths, but can be used to push items or players as needed.  If you can deduce what item an opponent may be striving for, you can work this into your moves to prolong their arrival.  You'll also want to consider what tile is being pushed off the edge, as that tile will be handed off to the next player and could either help / hinder the player depending on the number of outlets.  Another interesting tactic is when a player is pushed off the edge by sliding pieces, they are placed on the opposite side in which they were pushed off.  This could either help a player reach the other side of the maze quickly or put an opponent that much farther from their goal.  With so many fun and considered choices to make, Labyrinth is the perfect game for casual families or heavy strategists alike.  I recommend this game for those who enjoy thinking outside the box and have a general affinity for mazes.

If you have any questions about Labyrinth, let me know in the comments below.  Otherwise, stay tuned to future installments of Tabletop Tuesday.  And happy gaming!