Detective: City of Angels (2019) Board Game

Detective: City of Angels is a board game designed by Evan Derrick and published by Van Ryder Games in in 2019. The game is set in the dark and gritty world of 1940s Los Angeles, where players take on the roles of detectives trying to solve a series of murder cases. With an immersive narrative and a unique traitor mechanic, Detective: City of Angels offers a thrilling and challenging gameplay experience for 1-5 players.

Game Components of Detective: City of Angels

Game board

Case book

Detective sheets

Suspect sheets

Evidence sheets

Location cards

Clue cards

Event cards

Player tokens

How To Setup Detective: City of Angels

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player selects a detective sheet and places their player token on the starting space.

Shuffle the clue cards and place them face down on the board.

Choose a case from the case book and follow the setup instructions provided.

Begin the game by following the rules outlined in the case book.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Detective: City of Angels, players work together as a team of detectives to solve a series of murder cases. Each case presents a unique set of challenges and mysteries to uncover. Players must gather clues, interview suspects, and piece together the evidence to identify the culprit. However, one player may secretly be the traitor, working against the rest of the team to sabotage the investigation.

The game combines elements of action points, area movement, and cooperative gameplay, creating a tense and immersive experience for players. The objective is to solve the case before time runs out, uncovering the truth behind the murders and exposing the traitor.

Player Experience

Pros:

Immersive narrative and thematic gameplay

Unique traitor mechanic adds tension and suspense

Challenging puzzles and mysteries to solve

Replayability with multiple cases to choose from

Beautiful artwork by Vincent Dutrait

Cons:

Long runtime can be a drawback for some players

Complex rules and mechanics may be overwhelming for beginners

Limited player interaction outside of cooperative gameplay

Personal Thoughts on Detective: City of Angels

Detective: City of Angels is a well-crafted and engaging board game that offers a unique blend of murder mystery and cooperative gameplay. The game’s thematic elements, immersive narrative, and challenging puzzles make it a standout in the murder/mystery category. However, the long runtime and complex rules may deter casual players looking for a quick and easy game experience.

In terms of build quality, Detective: City of Angels features high-quality components and stunning artwork, adding to the overall immersion of the game. The pricing and availability of the game, both new and used, are competitive, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

For fans of murder mystery games and cooperative gameplay, Detective: City of Angels is definitely worth your time. However, those who prefer shorter game sessions or more competitive player interaction may want to skip this one. Overall, Detective: City of Angels offers a thrilling and challenging experience for players who enjoy delving into the dark and mysterious world of detective work.

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