Magic Maze Review – Bow Before the Pawn of Passive Aggression

Magic Maze reminds me of those shopping spree game shows that plagued free-to-air TV. The ones that let you buy as much as you can within 10 minutes. The contestant would spend 10 minutes in a frantic haze before throwing everything into their trolley as fast as they could.

Only once the time limit finished, they realised they’d bought 35 jars of anchovies.

Magic Maze is a cooperative real-time game where everyone collectively controls four characters: a Barbarian, a Mage, an Elf, and a Dwarf. Stripped of all their money and possessions these characters must rob the local Magic Maze Shopping Mall for all the equipment needed for their next adventure. But it’s only a matter of time before the guards catch wind of their plans.

As a player, you own a directional card, giving you the power to move any of the characters in that direction. For example, I might be in charge of moving all of the characters North, while you are only allowed to move them East.

Working together we need to uncover the map, get the characters their items, and escort them all to the exit. All before Paul Blart’s segway arrives.

Wonderfully Funny Moments

There’s one more important rule: no talking. Instead, you communicate through the use of a comically large red pawn. Placing it in front of a person lets them know when they’re not doing their job.

We called this pawn the Pawn of Passive Aggression (not its actual name).

Hilariously, you’ve never seen someone more panicked than when the looming red pawn towers in front of them. The visible confusion as they look back and forth over the characters, wondering what they’ve missed, but unable to ask anyone for help.

This creates some unintentional but wonderfully playful moments of bewilderment and mild frustration. Especially when you egg the person on by casually tapping the pawn while you’re waiting for them to act.

What’s funnier is in never wanting the ire of the Pawn of Passive Aggression, you’ll watch the board so intensely you’re more likely to miss your turn to move the characters.

This silliness is enhanced by a theme that adds a fun twist to traditional fantasy tropes. Throughout the mall, you’ll find treasure appraisers, a vampire daycare as well as a couple of kids playing Magic Maze.

Although you might miss all this because you’re too focused on delivering the heroes to where they need to be.

Money Well Spent

Magic Maze is a family game all about understanding the plan and speed of execution. It’s made up of several scenarios that start easy and get harder and more complex as you progress. Introducing additional rules including swapping directions with other players, to character abilities.

This drip-feed of the rules kept the curiosity for the game alive. Learning how the next round increased the difficulty from the last always provided a buzz of excitement. Even when the game itself didn’t always live up to its usual excitement.

This happens sometimes, as when the heroes are moving in the direction you own, you’re constantly moving them and being active. There are times when the heroes are moving away from your direction. During these times, you just sit there waiting patiently.

After we got to the end of the campaign the introduction of major new rules stopped. So did the buzz of excitement that came with Magic Maze. The combination of the game and the reward of unlocking more rules kept us intrigued and wanting to play more. Without this extra pull, I found the willingness of my group to play another round waning.

However by then, we played through all of the scenarios – some a couple of times – and everyone either enjoyed their time playing or was too stressed to speak badly of the game.

Either way, a sign of money well spent.

A Simple Premise Executed Flawlessly

If there’s one small issue with Magic Maze, it’s that the group’s focus is so intense on the characters, that no one is looking to see if time has run out. This leads to some unintentional cheating and makes your victory feel cheap, or makes the group feel a bit daft that they didn’t see the time run out.

Otherwise, Magic Maze is a simple premise executed extremely well. And although it’s not a game you’ll keep on your shelf for generations, you’ll get your money’s worth out of it laughing and having a good time.

If you’re looking for another game to tickle your real-time urge then I recommend looking at the 5-Minute Mystery for low player counts, and 5-Minute Dungeon for higher.