Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere (2022) Board Game

Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere is a cooperative deduction game set in the world of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. Players take on the roles of investigators working for a mysterious government agency tasked with solving supernatural mysteries in Arkham and beyond. The game is designed by Grégory Privat and published by Space Cowboys, known for their immersive and thematic board games.

Game Components of Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere

Five independent cases: Each case includes a thick booklet with detailed information.

Information sources: Newspapers, phone directories, maps, and other investigative tools.

Lead types: Interviews and Investigations, sorted by district and in ascending order.

Player materials: Badges, notepads for tracking leads.

How To Setup Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere

To set up the game, players should start by selecting a case to investigate. The rules suggest playing the cases in a specific order: The Face, The Expedition, The House of the Sorcerer, The Spartacus Case, and The Gunboat. Each case comes with its own booklet and set of leads. Players can choose an investigation based on its level of difficulty.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative gameplay: Players work together as agents of the Bureau of Investigation.

Investigative mechanics: Players interview witnesses, investigate locations, set up surveillance, and tail suspects.

Time limit: Each case has a set number of leads available before players must make conclusions and solve the case.

Scoring system: Players choose three locations they believe are crucial to solving the case and score points based on their importance.

Objective: Solve paranormal cases by gathering and analyzing clues.

Player Experience

Players embark on a thrilling mystery-solving journey, navigating through the Cthulhu Mythos. The game is highly variable, with each case offering unique challenges and twists. Players must use simple logic to solve cases that involve elements beyond human comprehension. The game is designed for 1 to 8 players, suitable for ages 14 and above, with an average playtime of 120 to 240 minutes.

Pros

Engaging storyline: Lightly creepy plot lines that keep players guessing.

Easy mechanics: The game mechanics are easy to understand and enhance the mystery-solving experience.

High variability: Each case is different and interesting, offering hours of excitement.

Perfect for Consulting Detective fans: Ideal for fans of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective looking for a new challenge and setting.

Cons

Polarizing theme: The Cthulhu theme can be overplayed and polarizing.

Limited leads: In some cases, players may feel they are not given enough leads to fully solve the case.

Complexity in scoring: The scoring system can be different and somewhat complex compared to the original Consulting Detective game.

Personal Thoughts on Bureau of Investigation: Investigations in Arkham & Elsewhere

This game is perfect for fans of investigative games, particularly those who enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective series. It offers a unique blend of mystery and horror, set in the intriguing world of the Cthulhu Mythos. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its theme, it provides a challenging and engaging experience for those who enjoy cooperative detective games. New players will find the mechanics easy to grasp, and experienced players will appreciate the added complexity and new investigative mechanics.

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