How to Play

Magic Maze

1-8 players 15-15 min 6.9 Board Game Geek Rating

Four fantasy heroes must simultaneously steal equipment from a magical shopping mall before time runs out. Players cooperatively control all characters, but each person can only perform specific actions like moving north or using escalators. Communication is strictly limited, requiring silent coordination. Teams win by successfully stealing designated items and escaping within the time limit.

Published 2017

Magic Maze

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

1
Place the starting tile
Put tile 1 (the starting tile) in the center of the table, side A up for beginners or choose A/B for later games
2
Position hero figures
Randomly place all 4 hero figures on the four central spaces of the starting tile
3
Prepare the mall tiles
Shuffle the mall tiles specified by your chosen scenario and place them face down in a draw pile
4
Set aside components
Place the theft tile (side A up) and "Out of Order" tokens nearby
5
Distribute action tiles
Select action tiles matching your player count (number shown in bottom right corner) and randomly give one to each player
6
Orient action tiles
Each player places their action tile in front of them so the north arrow points the same direction as the arrow on the starting tile
7
Identify your hero
Each hero has a unique color and symbol: Barbarian (yellow/sword), Dwarf (orange/axe), Elf (green/bow), Wizard (purple/flask)
8
Plan your strategy
Players may talk freely during setup to discuss their approach before starting
9
Start the timer
Flip the hourglass to begin the game - from this moment, communication is forbidden
10
Select solo action tiles
Take the 7 action tiles marked with "1" in the bottom right corner
11
Create the action deck
Shuffle these tiles and place them face down as a draw pile
12
Use one hand only
You may only use one hand during gameplay
13
Flip tiles to use actions
Turn over tiles one at a time to the discard pile; only the top visible action may be used

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

1
No turn order exists
Any player may perform their action(s) at any time; there is no turn-taking
2
Perform your action freely
Use your action tile's ability as many times as you want, whenever you want
3
Control any hero
Any player may move any of the four hero figures when performing their action
4
Move in your direction
Move any hero figure any number of spaces in the direction shown on your action tile (North, South, East, or West)
5
Observe movement restrictions
Heroes cannot move through walls, through other hero figures, or onto illustrated spaces (only empty corridor spaces are valid)
6
Maintain single occupancy
Only one hero figure may occupy a space at any time
7
Use portals
The Portal action teleports any hero from anywhere to any portal space matching that hero's color
8
Ride escalators
The Escalator action moves a hero from one end of an escalator to the other (either direction, cannot stop midway)
9
Explore new areas
The Explore action reveals and places a new mall tile when a hero stands on an exploration space matching their color
10
Place explored tiles
Connect new tiles by matching the white arrow to the exploration space where the hero stands
11
Dwarf passes through holes
Only the orange Dwarf can move through small openings in orange walls
12
Elf enables communication
When the green Elf performs an Explore action, all players may talk (same rules as when hourglass flips)
13
Wizard enables double exploration
When the purple Wizard stands on a crystal ball space, the Explore action may place up to two tiles
14
Barbarian disables cameras
Only the yellow Barbarian can disable security cameras by moving onto their space
15
Monitor camera count
If two or more security cameras are active (discovered and not disabled), heroes cannot use hourglass spaces
16
Disable cameras
Move the Barbarian to a camera space to disable it, then place an "Out of Order" token on it
17
Flip the hourglass
When any hero moves onto an hourglass space, immediately flip the hourglass regardless of remaining sand
18
Mark used hourglasses
Place an "Out of Order" token on each hourglass space after use; it can only be used once
19
Communicate when flipped
Players may speak whenever the hourglass is flipped, but time continues running
20
Pass action tiles left
When the hourglass flips (2+ players), each player passes their action tile to the player on their left
21
Stay silent during play
No talking, gestures, signals, or sounds are allowed during most of the game
22
Stare at other players
You may look intently at other players as your only unrestricted communication
23
Use the "Do Something!" figure
Take this figure and place it in front of a player you think should act; that player may immediately pass it to someone else
24
Position all heroes
Get all four heroes simultaneously onto their matching colored item spaces (sword, axe, bow, flask)
25
Trigger the theft
Any player flips the theft tile to side B when all heroes are correctly positioned
26
Disable portals
Once theft is triggered, portals immediately stop working for the rest of the game

Winning

How to claim victory.

1
Complete the theft
All four heroes must simultaneously stand on their matching colored item spaces, then flip the theft tile
2
Escape through exits
After the theft, each hero must reach and exit through the exit matching their color
3
Remove escaped heroes
When a hero reaches their exit, remove their figure from the game
4
Win condition
Successfully remove all four hero figures through their matching exits before time runs out
5
Lose by timeout
If the hourglass runs out completely at any point, all players immediately lose
6
Lose by forgetting theft
If heroes escape without flipping the theft tile, players lose because no theft occurred
7
Track your score
Record successful completions in the scoring book, noting how many hourglass spaces were used (fewer is better)

watch & Learn

Let the pros teach you with these top videos.

Aprende a jugar a Magic Maze

Aprende a jugar a Magic Maze

Instructional

Magic Maze - Cómo se juega, partida y reseña

Magic Maze - Cómo se juega, partida y reseña

Instructional

MORE VIDEOS

FULL rules

Looking for the full details? Grab the complete rulebook as a downloadable PDF.

Play Board Games Online

Explore breakout hits and fan favourites with no downloads, setup or paywalls. Just click and play.

Play Now

more GAMES LIKE THIS