Labyrinth (1986) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Labyrinth is a board game designed by Max J. Kobbert and first published in 1986 by Ravensburger. It is a children’s game that combines elements of maze and puzzle-solving. The game has been well-received over the years for its unique gameplay mechanics and engaging experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Labyrinth

Game Board: A 2′ x 2′ board featuring the labyrinth.

Characters: Miniatures and character sheets for Sarah, Ludo, Sir Didymus, and Hoggle.

Labyrinth Cards: 32 cards including the gate to Goblin City and various challenges.

Dice: Over 30 game tokens and 6 polyhedral dice.

Reference Cards: 6 reference cards.

Ability & Weakness Cards: 4 ability and weakness cards for each character.

Clock Mechanism: A turn timer to track the 13-hour time limit.

How To Setup Labyrinth

To set up the game, each character starts in a designated corner of the board: Sarah in the Oubliette, Hoggle at the entrance, Sir Didymus at the Bog of Eternal Stench, and Ludo in the hedge maze. The special dice are arranged nearby, reflecting the attributes of each character. The Labyrinth deck is created by shuffling the cards and removing one card to make each game slightly different. The gate to Goblin City is shuffled into the bottom third of the deck. Finally, the turn timer is set to 1 o’clock[4’.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Character Movement: Players roll dice to move around the board, with the distance determined by the Speed value of their character.

Tests and Challenges: Players encounter various tests and challenges, such as Brawn and Wit tests, which require rolling specific dice to overcome.

Jareth Appears Cards: These cards move the Jareth miniature to a player’s space, blocking other characters from landing there.

Teamwork: Players work together to navigate the labyrinth and reach the Goblin City before the 13-hour time limit expires.

Objective: The ultimate goal is for Sarah to rescue her baby brother Toby from Jareth by reaching the castle and saying the magical words to release him.

Player Experience

Players experience a thematic and immersive journey through the labyrinth, encountering familiar elements from the movie. The game is designed to be cooperative, encouraging teamwork and strategy. The use of different dice for various attributes adds a layer of complexity and excitement, as players must play to their characters’ strengths to succeed. The game’s setup and mechanics ensure a unique experience each time, with the removal of one card from the deck adding variability.

Pros

Thematic Engagement: The game is highly thematic, appealing to fans of the movie.

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Variable Setup: Each game is slightly different due to the shuffled deck and removed card.

Easy to Learn: Suitable for families and younger players.

Beautiful Components: The game board and miniatures are beautifully illustrated and detailed.

Cons

Repetitive Mechanics: Some players find the mechanics a bit repetitive and simple.

Limited Player Involvement in Final Confrontation: Only Sarah participates in the final confrontation with Jareth.

Time Pressure: The 13-hour time limit can create significant pressure and stress.

Personal Thoughts on Labyrinth

**Labyrinth** is ideal for families and fans of the original film. It offers a fun, cooperative experience that is easy to learn but still engaging. While it may not appeal to hardcore gamers due to its simplicity, it is perfect for a family game night or for introducing younger players to board games. The game’s thematic depth and beautiful components make it a delightful addition to any board game collection.

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