Beyond Baker Street (2016) Board Game

Beyond Baker Street is a cooperative deduction game that puts players in the shoes of Baker Street Irregulars working together to solve cases before Sherlock Holmes. Released in 2016 by Z-Man Games, it has received praise for its engaging gameplay and challenging puzzles.

Game Components of Beyond Baker Street

Investigation board

3 Confirm tokens

1 Investigation token

1 Sherlock Holmes pawn

18 Character cards

6 Case File cards

24 Evidence cards (1–6 in 4 suits)

28 Lead cards (12 Suspects, 8 Motives, 8 Opportunities)

4 Reference cards

High-quality, thematically illustrated cards and board.

How To Setup Beyond Baker Street

To set up the game, each player is dealt a starting hand of cards, but with a twist: players hold their cards outward so only their fellow players can see them. The game board is laid out with three lead stacks for Suspect, Motive, and Opportunity. The Sherlock Holmes pawn is placed on the board according to the selected case file, which also determines the maximum number of cards that can be discarded without penalty. Each case file provides a different starting position for Holmes and different limits on the impossible stack.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Assist: Give information to another player about their evidence cards by telling them one clue about all cards in their hand that share the same icon or number.

Investigate: Play an evidence card onto one of the three leads (Suspect, Motive, Opportunity).

Confirm: Place a confirm marker on a completed lead stack.

Eliminate: Play a card face up on the impossible stack to earn points on the investigation track.

Pursue: Discard the lead card from one of the lead stacks and return completed evidence cards to the draw pile.

The objective is to solve the mystery by confirming all three leads (Suspect, Motive, Opportunity) and reaching exactly 20 points on the investigation track before the game ends in defeat.

Player Experience

**Beyond Baker Street** is a tense and challenging cooperative game that requires careful communication and strategic planning among players. The game’s mechanic, where players cannot see their own cards, forces them to rely on their teammates for clues, making teamwork essential. The game features considerable replayability due to the different cases and character cards that modify the rules, adding variability and complexity to each game session.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and communication.

High Replayability: Different cases and character cards ensure no two games are the same.

Beautiful Artwork: Thematically illustrated cards and board enhance the game’s atmosphere.

Forgiving Mechanic: More flexible compared to similar games like Hanabi, especially in easier cases.

Cons

Complex Rules: While the game is more forgiving, it has more complex rules compared to Hanabi.

Limited Case Variability: Case files primarily affect the starting position of Holmes and the impossible stack, lacking deeper thematic differences.

Potential for Monotony: Repeated plays without character cards can feel monotonous as players develop consistent strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Beyond Baker Street

**Beyond Baker Street** is ideal for fans of cooperative deduction games who enjoy a challenge with a strong thematic twist. It is perfect for players who appreciate games that require strategic communication and teamwork. While it may appeal more to those familiar with games like Hanabi, its unique mechanics and variability make it accessible and engaging for new players as well. The game’s portability and short playtime make it a great addition to any board game collection.

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