Who NOT FUNNY knows cartoons by Joscha Sauer will not avoid the game "laboratory chaos." The humor and the witty illustrations pull fans, but also newcomers in its special spell.

In the small blue box there's a lot going on. In addition to the game instructions abound on the total of 76 playing cards mad scientists, strange machines and green dinosaurs. The player begins the game a mess of 7 cards in hand, which will be distributed before each game round. The rest of the cards end up as a draw pile in the middle of the table. The goal is now to bring order into the chaos and discard all cards in hand by skillfully playing off.

Before we turn to the rules, let's look more closely at the hand of cards. There are 3 different types of cards: scientists, machines and dinosaurs. Here, each type has its own characteristics:

Scientists cards generally provide that player can discard cards.
Machine cards have always been a "if" condition in order to be able to play them.
Dinosaur cards are usually "action cards" that can change the course of the game. For example, the initial victory condition change "Throw all the cards from" in "possession of exactly five cards."

A playing card is also divided into 4 sections. Top right is a number, which is played on certain maps of meaning. Below is a small text box that contains the instructions on the card, if you want to play them. A small figure reveals this to be what type of card it is (scientists, etc ...). In the bottom half of card still is a typical illustration of NOT FUNNY J. Sauer, who accompanied the statement of map drawing.

Who's turn, selects one of his hole cards, places them in front of him and reads the card aloud text. This statement is executed and then the card on the discard pile placed next to the pile. For example, the text reads, "Target player draws three cards," a player must draw three cards from the deck.

However, there are also cards which are subject to certain conditions. Can you put a card only when the full moon shining outside, for example, then this may just be in the situation described played! So it can happen that certain cards can be played. This is by design. You have to try to take off with the other playing cards, such cards or better still, they tried to give a teammate. However, should the unlikely event that no hand-drawn map is playable, the player must follow a map, thus ending his train. If a card is played successfully, it lands on the discard pile and the next player begins his train.

Once a player's turn and meets the current victory condition, the game ends. If you want to play several games, we can write the sum of the numbers right on top of the remaining tickets, which serve as negatives. The winner will receive 0 points.

The presentation of the game at first glance reminds strongly of a "no-brainer," but it should not be fooled. Lab Chaos is a very humorous and exciting game for all card game fans. The witty graphics give the game a special charm. The instructions are very specific and sometimes not always possible, but therein lies the charm. Finally, there are laboratory CHAOS, you must bring order to itself.

It also offers a "dark side". Players who like to tease each other by pushing each other "nasty" cards and have fun about it, come at their expense. This is also the reason why I think the recommended age of 8 years, a little low. The cards themselves are not waterproof, but make a good impression overall. A little more stability would still be desirable because they are passed through many hands. In a game it will remain mostly not. This is partly a play on the short duration of about 20-25 minutes, on the other hand one might ask for a rematch, to take revenge for the meanness of the other players .

Unfortunately, it loses its charm after several rounds of something, since the instructions are partially known and added nothing new. Here would be an extension or desirable to tinkering yourself a few new cards. At best it can be played with about 4-6 people. More but it should not be, otherwise it may be too long. All in all, a successful laboratory chaos, and above all varied game, which is definitely NOT FUNNY!

Name: Chaos Laboratory
Players: 3-6
Age: 8 years
Duration: 20 minutes
Author: Ivo Dekoning
Illustrator: Joscha Sauer
Publisher: Cosmos

Tags: card game , cosmos