Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One (2020) Board Game

Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One is a cooperative deduction game that was released in 2020 by Portal Games. Designed by Weronika Spyra, Ignacy Trzewiczek, and Merry Trzewiczek, this game puts players in the role of detectives trying to solve a series of modern-day crimes. With its immersive storytelling and engaging gameplay, Detective has become a popular choice for fans of murder mystery games.

Game Components of Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One

3 stand-alone case decks, each with 24 cards

Investigator boards

Portraits of suspects and witnesses

Tokens (including skill tokens)

Markers

Separate game board

Integrated online database access

How To Setup Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One

To set up the game, players start by selecting one of the three stand-alone cases. Each case has its own deck of 24 cards. Players choose their roles, though these roles are thematic and do not affect gameplay. The game includes investigator boards that outline the tasks each player should perform. Players also set up the game board and prepare the tokens and markers. The online database is accessed through a computer or mobile device to log evidence, read transcripts, and watch surveillance videos.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Time Management: Players have one day to solve the crime, with each lead card taking 1-3 hours.

Lead Investigation: Players choose lead cards to investigate, which provide information through interviews, location examinations, or other police work.

Skill Tokens: Players can use skill tokens to “dig deeper” for extra information.

Online Database: Players use an integrated online database to log evidence and access additional information.

Final Report: Players answer questions based on their findings to solve the case.

Cooperative Play: Designed for 1-5 players, working together to solve the crime.

Player Experience

Playing **Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One** transforms game nights into immersive investigative experiences. Players take on the roles of detectives, gathering clues, connecting facts, and avoiding false leads. The game is designed to be more streamlined than its predecessor, focusing on storytelling and deduction rather than complex rules. Each case offers a unique setting and theme, such as a university campus, an Italian district in Boston, or an old English mansion. The game’s design allows for multiple solutions to each case, encouraging replayability and discussion among players.

Pros

Streamlined Rules: Simplified gameplay mechanics compared to the original.

Shorter Playtime: Cases can be solved in about 2 hours.

Standalone Cases: Each case can be played independently with different groups.

Immersive Experience: Integrated online database and suspect portraits enhance the detective-like experience.

High Replayability: Multiple ways to solve each case encourage replay.

Cons

Limited Number of Cases: Only three cases are included.

Some Complexity: While streamlined, the game still requires strategic thinking and time management.

Potential for Confusion: Some cases may be more challenging to solve, potentially leading to frustration.

Personal Thoughts on Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One

**Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One** is ideal for fans of investigative games and those looking for a cooperative, immersive experience. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy storytelling and deduction without the burden of complex rules. While it is more accessible than the original, it still offers enough depth to keep experienced players engaged. If you’re new to detective-themed games, starting with **Season One** is recommended due to its shorter playtime and simpler mechanics.

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