Tiny Epic Crimes is a board game released in 2023, designed by Nikoletta Vaszi and published by Gamelyn Games. It falls under the category of deduction, mafia, and murder/mystery games, making it a thrilling and engaging experience for players.
Game Components of Tiny Epic Crimes
Number of Players: 1-4Components: Includes the game board, suspect cards, evidence tokens, bullet dice, wooden cars, and the Epic Decoder System envelopes.Expansions: Features the Crooked Capos mini-expansion and the Kingpins expansion, adding more challenging mobsters and additional gameplay mechanics.Special Items: Bullet Dice, which are innovative six-sided dice, and ability cards that players select at the start of the game.
How To Setup Tiny Epic Crimes
To set up Tiny Epic Crimes, players begin by creating the city map using randomized city tiles, placing the suspects, mobsters, and other components on the board. Each player chooses an ability card and starts with a wooden car at headquarters. The game includes a Dized Tutorial, an interactive guide that walks players through their first game while they play, eliminating the need to read the rule book.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Game Objective: Players must solve the murder of the mayor’s son by collecting evidence, eliminating suspects, and managing time within a 48-hour limit.Game Modes: Available in both cooperative and competitive modes. In cooperative mode, players share information and work together, while in competitive mode, players work individually to solve the case.Actions: Players can move, search for evidence, arrest mobsters, catch informants or witnesses, and conduct stakeouts. Each action has a time cost and can trigger events that players must resolve.Time Track: The game features a time track where crossing event lines triggers new events and random occurrences, adding to the game’s complexity and replayability.Epic Decoder System: This system uses envelopes to limit the view of evidence, allowing players to uncover clues gradually.
Player Experience
Playing Tiny Epic Crimes feels like a race against time, where players must balance solving the crime with managing random events and mobster activities. The game requires strategic thinking and time management, as players need to prioritize actions to gather enough evidence before the time runs out. The cooperative mode allows for a more collaborative learning experience, while the competitive mode adds an element of rivalry among players.
Pros
Engaging Puzzle: The game offers a challenging and engaging puzzle that keeps players focused and entertained.High Replayability: The random events, different suspect profiles, and varying player abilities ensure each game is unique.Multiple Game Modes: Offers both cooperative and competitive modes, catering to different player preferences.Compact yet Expansive: Despite coming in a small box, the game unfolds into a comprehensive and detailed gaming experience.
Cons
Production Issues: Some players have reported issues with token quality, such as dented or marked tokens, and tight envelopes that damage the cards.Complexity: The game can be overwhelming, especially with the Kingpins expansion, due to the numerous components and simultaneous tasks.
Personal Thoughts on Tiny Epic Crimes
Tiny Epic Crimes is ideal for fans of detective and puzzle games who enjoy a challenging, time-pressured experience. It is suitable for players who appreciate strategic thinking and managing multiple tasks simultaneously. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a simple or relaxing game, it is a great addition to the Tiny Epic series, offering a unique blend of detective work and time management.
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