Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks (2021) Board Game

Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks is a murder mystery board game released in in 2021. Designed by Roena Ivana Rosenberger, this game puts players in the shoes of high school students solving a mystery. With a mix of cooperative gameplay, role playing, and asymmetric information, players must work together to uncover clues and solve the case.

Game Components of Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks

Host Guide

Locked Locker Box

Characters’ Binders with notes between them and their friends

Map of Blair High School

Puzzle Sheets

Student & Teacher Schedules

Suspect Board

Final Results Envelopes

Access to Hints

Letters, Secret Notes, Tickets, and more.

How To Setup Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks

To set up the game, players need to distribute the character binders, ensure each player has the necessary notes and materials, and set up the map of Blair High School. The host guide provides detailed instructions on how to prepare the game environment, including arranging the puzzle sheets, schedules, and suspect board. The goal is to create an immersive setting where players can dive into solving the mystery of who framed Romi.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to solve the mystery.

No Special Skills Required: No prior knowledge or special skills are necessary.

Reading Notes and Solving Puzzles: Players must read notes and solve puzzles to unlock Romi’s locker and figure out who framed her.

Unlocking Romi’s Locker: The primary objective is to unlock Romi’s locker to gather crucial clues.

Identifying the Frame-Up: The ultimate goal is to determine who framed Romi before she gets expelled.

Player Experience

In **Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks**, players are transported back to 1998, where they must navigate the social dynamics and clues of a high school setting to clear their friend Romi’s name. The game encourages teamwork, creative problem-solving, and a bit of role-playing, making it an engaging and fun experience. Players can choose to dress up as their characters, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the game.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Accessible: No special skills or prior knowledge are required.

Immersive Theme: Combines murder mystery and escape room elements in a 1990s high school setting.

Interactive Components: Includes various materials like notes, puzzle sheets, and a suspect board.

Role-Playing Opportunities: Players can dress up as their characters, enhancing the experience.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for 4-6 players, which might not be ideal for larger or smaller groups.

Choking Hazard: Contains small parts, making it unsuitable for children under 3 years old.

Long Play Time: The game can take 90-120 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks

**Crimes & Capers: High School Hijinks** is perfect for groups of friends and families who enjoy cooperative games and mystery solving. The game’s nostalgic 1990s setting and interactive components make it a unique and engaging experience. It is particularly suited for players aged 14 and above who are looking for a fun, cooperative challenge that requires teamwork and creative problem-solving. If you’re a fan of murder mystery parties or escape room-style games, this is definitely worth checking out.

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