Harry Potter Labyrinth Review: Conquer the magical labyrinth!

Game Basics

It's a strategic board game where you search for characters in a moving labyrinth .

"Harry Potter Labyrinth Game / Das verrückte Labyrinth – Harry Potter" is a board game published by Ravensburger (Ravensburger Spieleverlag).

The game was designed by Max J. Kobbert and uses the same game system as the original "Labyrinth" published over 30 years ago.

It supports two to four players and is recommended for ages 7 and up, although some in the Board Game Geek community say it can be enjoyed by ages 6 and up.

The play time for one game is relatively short, about 20 to 30 minutes, making it a game that can be played easily.

The game includes:

• 1 game board
• 34 Maze Cards (Labyrinth Tiles)
• 24 treasure cards (character cards)
• 4 playing pieces
• 1 instruction manual (English, German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian)

The game board consists of a 7x7 grid, with 16 maze tiles fixed to the board. The remaining 33 tiles are randomly placed to form the maze, with one tile always remaining off-board.

Each player chooses a colored piece and places it in the corresponding corner of the board (the color of each Hogwarts house). The 24 character cards are shuffled and dealt equally to each player, who keeps them in front of them as a deck that only they can see.

The goal of the game is to move your piece to the square with the character at the top of your deck. On your turn, you can insert tiles from outside the board into designated rows and columns on the board to change the path of the labyrinth.

When you insert a tile, it pushes all tiles in that column or row out of the way, and a new tile is pushed out from the other side, off the board. This pushed tile will be used in the next player's turn. However, it cannot be put back in the same place as it was pushed just before.

After the labyrinth is rearranged, players move their pieces. Pieces can move as far as they want as long as they are connected by passages, but they cannot go through walls.

Once you reach the square where your target character is, you put that card face up and aside, and the next card in your deck becomes your new goal. Once you've run out of cards in your deck, you must return to your starting point.

The first player to complete all objectives and return to the starting point wins.

The layout of the labyrinth is constantly changing, so players must manipulate the tiles to achieve their own objectives while hindering the progress of other players.

The allure of Harry Potter Labyrinth

Harry Potter Labyrinth has several appealing features that will attract many players.

Simple yet deep labyrinth-moving puzzle elements

The game's greatest feature is its simple yet deep puzzle elements .

The main appeal of "Harry Potter Labyrinth" is the simple and easy-to-understand rules inherited from the original version. The instructions are also easy to understand, so you can start playing right away.

It is especially easy to enjoy, even for those who are new to board games or who have difficulty learning complex rules.

However, it's not just simple; you need to think ahead and strategically, as the situation in the labyrinth can change dramatically depending on where and how you insert the moving tiles.

Not only can you create your own path, but you can also place tiles to block the path of other players, making a little mischief part of the fun of the game.

This simplicity combined with strategy is what has made this game a beloved classic for so many years.

A perfect balance of strategy and luck

The game has a great balance of strategy and luck .

The game has also been praised for its well-balanced combination of strategic elements, such as moving tiles, and luck, which determines which character you will draw next.

Placing tiles is strategic, but if you're lucky, you might find that the character you draw is close to your piece, or you might have to move from one end of the board to the other.

However, since each player has to find multiple characters (for example, six characters per player in a four-player game), even if they are unlucky once, it tends to balance out in the end.

This element of luck makes it enjoyable for both experienced and beginner players, and is thought to help develop children's forward-thinking skills.

A design that immerses you in the world of Harry Potter

A major feature of this game is its beautiful design that recreates the world of Hogwarts .

As its name suggests, the "Harry Potter Labyrinth" is attractive for its design that strongly reflects the world of Harry Potter. The background of the game board is reminiscent of a Hogwarts map, and the walls are decorated with small bookshelves and spells.

The way the labyrinth moves is reminiscent of the moving staircase at Hogwarts, and some people feel that the theme and game system are a perfect match.

The characters you can search for include many familiar Hogwarts residents, such as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and Hedwig.

The character collecting objective will be especially appealing to Harry Potter fans, and while no specific Harry Potter knowledge is required to enjoy the game, fans will no doubt enjoy the design and characters featured.

High replayability for long-lasting enjoyment

The random layout of the labyrinth and its ever-changing structure make it fun to play again and again.

The initial layout of the labyrinth is random, and the tiles are constantly shifted during the game, causing the labyrinth's structure to change. This means that the gameplay changes every time you play, making it fun to play over and over again without getting bored.

It is considered an especially appealing game for families with children between the ages of 7 and 13, with many saying they want to play it again and again. The short play time means it can be easily enjoyed in any spare time, which also contributes to its high replayability.

Disappointments and points to note

While there are many attractive features, there are also some concerns .

• Some components : The playing pieces, in particular, are simple, colorful wooden pawns (pegs), which some say feel a bit bland compared to the Wizard pieces in the original version. Others point out that the character cards are a bit thin and need to be punched out of the sheet when opening. However, some say that durability isn't a big issue, since the pieces are durable and the cards are only used as a deck.
• Tile movement : It seems that when inserting the tiles into the board, they can sometimes get a little stuck or stuck, requiring manual correction.
  However, some reviewers say this is an acceptable amount of effort.
• Lack of new rules : The game system is basically the same as the original Labyrinth, and no special rules (such as using magic) have been added to take advantage of the Harry Potter worldview.
• Although the design that makes use of the theme is excellent, there are no new elements in the gameplay itself, so players who already own the original version may not notice any major changes other than the design. However, for those who love the world of Harry Potter and do not own the original version, this will not be a problem.

Recommended for:

"Harry Potter Labyrinth" is a game that we would especially recommend to the following people :

• Harry Potter fans : The world of Harry Potter is woven throughout the game, allowing you to discover your favorite characters and explore a moving, Hogwarts-style labyrinth.
• For board game beginners : The rules are very simple and easy to understand, so even those playing board games for the first time can quickly understand and enjoy the game.
• For those looking for a game that the whole family can play together : The game is suitable for ages 7 and up, and it has a good balance of strategy and luck, so it can be enjoyed by family members of all ages.
• For those looking for a game that can be enjoyed easily and quickly : Each game takes about 20 to 30 minutes, so you can quickly pick it up and play in your spare time.
• People who like puzzle elements and route planning : This will be especially fun for those who enjoy figuring out how to move tiles and advance their pieces through an ever-changing labyrinth.

Although it's simple, the game has a different twist each time, making it a charming game that you'll want to play over and over again. Why not challenge the magical labyrinth with your family and friends?