Labyrinth by Ravensburger is a game racing for treasure in a moving maze and available in Original, Junior and Star Wars. This is a really good problem solving game which tests your spatial awareness as you shift the pathways along finding the best solution to help you reach the destination you require for that turn.
How to play Labyrinth
The game of Labyrinth is simple to understand but more challenging to play as you weave your way around the Labyrinth maze searching for objects – but all the while the maze keeps changing!
Setting up Labyrinth
You simply have a board that has fixed pieces/places; the four “home” corners (with circles of each of the players’ colours) plus another twelve places with pictures of different magical objects/characters. This is the only thing that remains consistent throughout the game.
The rest of the board is made up of 34 moving maze pieces – each with different paths and walls on drawn on them; some also have more objects/characters to collect drawn on them too. Initially these pieces need popping out of a big sheet of cardboard but then are just stored in little square holes in the box. The pieces need to be shuffled (they are quiet chunky and it is best to do this in small parts unless you have really big hands!) then, without looking, placed in the spaces on the board in order that they are turned over. There should then be one maze piece left over. This means that a random maze is generated so no two games are the same. Next the 24 object cards are shuffled and dealt equally among the players (2 players = 12 cards each; 3 players = 8 cards each; 4 players = 6 cards each). These are then kept faced down until the start of the player’s turn (with a new one only being uncovered on the next turn after the last object/character has been reached). Although to make it easier for younger children they can look at their cards and decide which one they will chose as their goal for each turn.
Each player starts at their corresponding coloured start square. The youngest player goes first by turning over their object card without showing other players. They then have to MOVE THE MAZE by placing the left over maze playing piece and insert it into any of the rows with yellow arrows. The idea is to guide the playing piece along the maze without hitting any walls – to reach the matching picture on their object card. Even if the player can reach the object without moving the maze they HAVE TO move the maze first. This can be either to help reach a goal, to not affect the path to the goal or to make it harder for an opponent to move. The maze cannot be pushed back at the same place that the previous player has just pushed out (they can be pushed in the same direction on that row). If there is a playing piece on the edge that is being pushed off the board then they are placed on the opposite side on that equivalent row (this does not count as a turn for that playing piece). If the player is unable to reach their object goal they do not have to move their playing piece but they can move it closer or in a strategic place for a later turn. Players do not move on to a new goal until they have reached their last one. The winner is the first player to reach all of their goals and get back to their starting point (or just their goals if they are younger players).
Thoughts on Labyrinth
We reviewed the original version of Labyrinth and I think it is a really good game for our 9 year old son. The game is recommended for ages 7-99 years and there was no rules either way about whether you could push the maze and then discover that didn’t work so try pushing it a different way. I think to make it harder there should be a rule that once you start pushing the maze that is it, and it cannot be corrected. In saying that it would have made it really hard for me as I struggled to visualise in my head what would be the impact to all the other spaces. The 9 year old, however, had no such problem! I think it is a great way to introduce visual problem solving and strategy skills which will come in handy for his Grammar school entry test. We took Labyrinth with us camping as we started to celebrate National Unplugging Day on Sunday June 25th 2017. This is a day to #gogadgetfree and spend time with family. We found that the Labyrinth game was great for any bouts of boredom! It is easy to set up and has no small parts that could be easily lost. It is a fun game and due to its nature different every time it is played.
ONE LUCKY PINKODDY READER HAS A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF LABYRINTH.
Just answer the question in 10 words or more and enter the Rafflecopter.
Q: Who would play Labyrinth – who would be good at it, who would find it difficult and who would be most likely to win?
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I received a review copy of Labyrinth. All words and opinions are honest and my own.
My 2 boys and 2 girls would play Labyrinth! My 2 boys would definately be good at it as they play these tyes of ‘strategy’ games regularly! My youngest daughter and probably me would find it difficult! One of my boys would be likely win!
my eldest nephew would be really good at this hed probably win! i dont think the youngest would have the patience though so id play it with him!
My nephews tend to pick up the skills at new games very quickly leaving me far behind
This looks like a great game, definitely one I’d look into for my girls when they’re older as spacial problem solving is something you can’t really teach, you just have to sort of do it!
Nat.x
Me and my 2 children would play, I can imagine my daughter would struggle a bit and my son would beat us all at it!
Me and my two children would play this, my son would win, he wins everything we end up playing (I am not sure how) I would find it the hardest – I am no good at games
I’d play with my wife and son. He’d struggle a bit, and I’d like to think I would be good but my wife would probably win!
looks fab would love to win
Oh wow, i love this, had it as a kid , keep telling hubby about it x
My two Grandsons would love this game, they would prob win, wipe the board with us, looks and sounds a brilliant game, a game the whole family can play and enjoy
My niece and nephew would really love this fantastic prize,looks amazing
Me, my husband and our two boys would play. I’d probably find it difficult as I’m terrible at remembering rules to games, my husband would be good at it, he’s the sort to read every last word in the rule book, twice haha and my son would most likely win, he rarely loses at anything
i think my daughter would be good at it!
My husband, daughter and me would play, he would find it difficult and either me or she would win I’d bet!
would absolutely love to win we’d play as a whole family! hopefully i would win!
I’d play with my wife and sons. We are all very competitive so it could get interesting!
me the son and hubby me and the son are competitive and the hubby wouldn’t have a clue what he’s doing
My daughter would play this and I think it would be quite a close call! My son would lose his temper with it
I’d play with my sisters, My older sister would probably be best at it, and I’d end up sulking.
I’d play Labyrinth with my family. I think my son would be good at it and would be most likely to win. I don’t think anyone would find it difficult.
I have already got this and the children are excellent at it. I would like a copy for my son. Both myself and my husband play it with the 2 girls and our 12 year old wins most games, nobody finds it difficult
I would play this game with my family, I think my son would probably win and my other half would strugle as he doesn’t like to follow instructions! 😀
My nieces would love this game, my eldest niece would probably win as she’s very good at strategy games.
my husband and two children my son would proberley win as his good at planning ahead he will know which path to choose x
I think the whole family would enjoy this but I know that Daddy would be best at it because he was Dungeons & Dragons obsessed when he was younger 😉
My son would play it with his friends at the board game club they go to every thursday
my son and daughter would love this, they enjoy a good game
good fun, love a family board game! Be nice to have a go at this
My granddaughter loves this, she always wins! Would be nice to have one to practice on x
We would all play it and I think my 15 year old grandson would be the best at it and In think I would be the one struggling with it at first until I got the hang of it
looks really interesting and good FUN for all the family
My daughter would be so good at this, I’m guessing I’d be rubbish but I’d still have so much fun
My husband and I would play this game with our five grandchildren, one or two at a time!
I’ll play it with my wife. It would take her ages to grasp the rules, then she’d go and win anyway
I’d play with my husband. We’d both be good at it, but I’d probably win – I am most competitive!
We would play as a family, not sure who would win as we are all very competitive
I’d play with my husband, I have 2 sons that love to play games but they are a bit too young yet. I think I would win as I’m quite competitive
I would play with my sisters and parents. My dad would probably win – he always does!
I would play with my daughter and husband and my husband would win. He would wind up us as well.
It looks like a great family game. I’d play it with my husband and daughter. I suspect my hubby would win though our daughter will probably give him a good run for his money 🙂
I think my nephew would be good at it, he’s so smart. My Mum would find it difficult and my Dad would be most likely to win.
I would play wit my niece and nephew and my niece would win because she hates losing.
We would play it as a family. I think my little girl would struggle the most but we can help her to learn the rules
We’d play it at family get togethers as we all love games. I think our younger nephews would struggle the most but we might let them win as a result!
My son might struggle a little but his dad who is really good would help him.
We would play as a family; more than likely my son would get very competitive and my husband would need to read the rules first…
I would play it with my family and I think my cousins would be really good at it and probably win.
we played this with our nephew when we visited him, kids thought it was great fun, so would love to play with them
i would love to win this for my nephew he would love this game
I would play this game with my 2 sons never seen this before they would love it
Me and my son would play this – we love playing games
I would love this to play with my husband. We are both huge fans
I would play this with the whole family. My little boy would need help but my brother-in-law would definitely win (as always!)
I’d want to win! But I’d let me son, as they say in STAR WARS ‘let the wookie win!’ ..
The whole family at Christmas and Family celebrations would play. Not sure who would win! Probably not me!
I’d play with my family we loved this film growing up…. I’d win obviously my dad would be good at it and my sister would lose
My husband and I are very competitive, I’m sure we will be the same over this game, I still think I will win though!
My goddaughter would love this and would have great fun playing this!
Fantastic great fun for all the family to play
This looks a really fun game
I would enjoy playing this with my family i’m sure i’d be the best at it and i think the youngest member of the family would find it difficult.
My nieces, myself and their Daddy would play this. I think either of the girls would win it easily.
My eldest son would really enjoy playing this game
my son would win,l’ll be terrible!
I’d play with hubby and my girls. My youngest would probably struggle and her Dad is terrible at board games so I imagine I’d win. My eldest would be good at it too x
I would play with my daughters we love a good game.
I’d play with my Daughter, she’s great at games like this so I bet she’d beat me…again!
My eldest grandson would be good at this, so that makes me the loser, yet again
I would play with my family. I would be good at it because I am competitive, my Mum would find it difficult because she is ditzy but my step sister would probably win because she has patience and is a good problem solver.
i would play with my very competitive hubby, he likes to win all the time
I would play with hubby and grandson. It would be close between my grandson and I. We both love strategy games. Hubby is much more laid back and not competitive at all 🙂
I think it would be great fun for us all. My boyfriend is very competetive even if we play with our sons so he would most likey win
I would love to play this with my hubby, kids and grandkids, as it looks like a wonderful family game
I would play this with my children, I think I would it the most difficult and I think that my son would win.
I would play this with my whole family. We had this game when they were younger and it was always great fun. My son usually won as he is great with anything puzzle based.
we like a board game in our house, i play with my 24yr old son, 19yr old daughter and 8 yr old daughter. you might think the 8 yr old loses a lot, but she is pretty good! we played settlers of catan recently and i thought the instructions were too advanced for her…. she won spectacularly!
Great review. We love playing board games my daughter loves things like frustration. Labyrinth looks fun and be a welcome addition to our family games night.
I would play with my husband and sons, I think myself and my middle child would be good at it with my middle child winning, my husband would be no good but would try all the same, and if he is losing, my youngest will stop playing lol
Do love board games at our house and now my niece and nephew are old enough to play without having constant supervision with it. My niece would probably do better as she is a bit older than my nephew although she tends to cheat so we have to keep an eye out on that. Don’t think I would be very good as the first few times I tend to forget what I am doing lol. My nephew will probably enjoy it until he realises he won’t win every time and then he’ll get a bit mad and give up.
I would play with my two nieces. They would be much better at it than me.
Me and my partner and our 12 year old would play this game. I reckon I would win lol!
My family would love this – my step daughter is 11 and super competitive and would be really good at this! I probably wouldn’t be very good, but would love to try!
I would love this game to play with my partner and son
my partner and who ever would play with him as it looks like a good introduction game to board games and i think everyone getting bored of secret hitler and 7 wonders
I have a 16 and 12 year old daughters that would love to play with ! May help keep them off technology and warm to the idea of game night (fingers crossed) Thankyou for this chance x
We would all play this as a family – I am normally quite good at these games so would be in with a good chance of winning! My youngest would probably struggle but sometimes she surprises us!
My son and daughter would really love this fantastic prize – looks great!
i would play with my nephews – i would be good at it, the little one might struggle and i’d probably let them win.
I’d play the game with my two nieces. I think they’d both be good at it and enjoy.
great prize thank you
I’d play with my boyfriend and friends. I think the BF would find it difficult as he’s a board game novice! I love strategy games like this!
I suspect we would play this as a family on a wet afternoon! I’d find it easy and get frustrated that the rest are taking too long. I suspect my wife would find it hard and my son would win as he always seems to somehow!
would love to play this
i would be terrible at it as I have little patience. My partner on the other hand would be excellent!
I would play with my daughter and my two nephews, they would really enjoy it!
I would play this with my family. We love playing games, makes a change from the kids sitting at a computer screen
I would. Play with my goddaughter. Not good playing with my brother as he is v competitive.
I’d win and be good at it! Lol.
My husband would play, my little girl would find it hard.
I would play with my partner and my friends. I think my partner would be good at it as he is very strategical. I think I would definitely find it difficult and I think we would all have a good chance of winning,
My daughter Nicola would be good at it and be most likely to win…. I’d be the one to find it difficult as my concentration has all but gone!
I would play with my son and daughter. My son is logical and would be good at it. My daughter would find it hard because she’s only 4, and I think I would win because I’m competitive!
we would play it as a family and no doubt our oldest would win.