"Labyrinth der Ringe" is the fourth title in the Ravenburger-series of "Labyrinth"-bestsellers. In difference to its predecessors the new game has changed to shape of the labyrinth from a quadratic to a round base. The shape of the labyrinth is changes by turning one or more of the three moveable rings of the labyrinth.... Two to four players start their way sthrough the labyrinth in chambers in the outermost part of the labyrinth. Before the game starts, a pile with cards showing treasures, trolls and fantasy-creatures is mixed and the uppermost card of this pile is turned over. These images are also printed on the gameboard, and in their turn the players must try to reach these locations of the labyrinth. If they succeed, they will get the card and must turn over the next card.

In his turn, a player may decide to move the outer or the middle ring for two points, both rings for one point or the inner ring freely and one of the others for one point. After this adjustments of the labyrint, the player may move his figure through the corridors of the labyrinth as far as he desires, provided that a corridor leads to the place he wants to reach. If he should come to the place where the image from the actual card is printed, he may take the card. If itīs a troll or a treasure, he gets one step closer to victory, since the player who succeeds to collect all 6 trolls or treasures wins the game. The fantasy animals donīt count towards victory, instead they allow the player who gets them one free move whereever he desires or he may blindly draw one of the cards from an opponent.

Since only six trolls and six treasures exist there will surely be conflicts between the players. This sort of direct confrontation is new to the "Labyrinth"-games, but it was cleverly solved by Max Kobbert. He makes use of the old childrens game "Paper, Stone and Scissors". Whenever a player moves onto the same space with another player, he may "invite" him into a contest of this game. First the "attacker" points out for what kind of cards (trolls or treasures) they will compete. Then he must decide whether they play for just one card or whether they will play for a random number of cards between 1 and 4 (a special dice is rolled). After this, the contest takes place: Each player has a small stone, a piece of paper and a scissors. He secretly choses one of those and hold it in his hand below the table. Then both players simultaneously reveal the item they have chosen. If they have chosen the same item, they must chose again, but otherwise:

• The stone blunts the scissors. Stone wins !
• The scissors cuts the paper. Scissors wins !
• The paper wraps the stone. Paper wins !

The new interaction between the players gives even more spice to the classic "Labyrinth"-games. Of course there now is an element of luck in the game, but I think that this doesnīt have a bad impact on the gameplay. Because of this, it would be hard to compare the new "Labyrinth der Ringe" to the other games from the "Labyrinth"-series. Of course, itīs still a game with a changing labyrinth, but the rules have changed significantly and so a new game has emerged. The new game brings much fun to young and old players and I can recommend it throughoutly.

Copyright © 2006 Frank Schulte-Kulkmann, Essen, Germany