Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game (1986)

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game is a board game that allows one to six players to visit locations on a map of New York to investigate clues and solve mysteries.

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

The game is based on the popular magazine, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, which has been in publication since 1941 and has set the standard for modern crime and mystery short stories. The magazine was founded by Lawrence E. Spivak and was heralded as the brainchild of Ellery Queen, a two-cousin writing team consisting of Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee.

Factors Contributing to Popularity and Significance

– Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: The magazine has been praised for its outstanding literary quality, expansive reach across the mystery and crime fiction genre, and global orientation in story selection. It has received numerous awards and has been called “the finest periodical of its kind” by The Readers Encyclopedia of American Literature and “the best mystery magazine in the world—bar none” by Stephen King.

Game Components of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game

Double-sided six-piece map board featuring a large scale map of New York City on one side and the fictional town of Bromlee Station on the reverse.

4-page Basic rulebook and 8-page Advanced rulebook.

Turn record chart.

32-page book containing five mysteries and their solutions.

Six detective cards and matching plastic tokens, each with different expertises and contacts around the city.

Detective’s Guide to New York, providing background on various neighborhoods.

Guide to Bromlee Station, offering background information about the fictional town, Bromlee Mansion, and John Hancock College.

How To Setup Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game

Players start by randomly drawing a detective card and taking the matching token. They then choose which mystery to solve and turn the board to the appropriate map. This setup ensures each player has a unique role and set of abilities to investigate the mystery.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Movement and Clues: Players can move to an adjacent area to receive a clue or move two areas without receiving a clue. If a player has a contact in the area, they receive a more detailed clue.

Basic Game: Clues are read aloud to all players.

Advanced Game: Clues are read silently, and players can “squelch” areas to limit other players’ access unless they have the appropriate expertise or contact.

Objective

The goal is to be the first player to correctly solve the mystery by proposing the exact solution, which is verified using a mirror to read the reverse typeface solutions.

Player Experience

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game offers a engaging and investigative experience, challenging players to gather and analyze clues to solve intricate mysteries. The game’s design allows for both cooperative and competitive elements, making it appealing to fans of detective fiction and puzzle-solving.

Pros

Multiplayer Option: Supports one to six players, enhancing its social and interactive aspect.

Customizable Mysteries: Players can create new mysteries following the game’s format.

High-Quality Components: The game is praised for its well-presented and durable components.

Variety in Detective Roles: Each detective has unique expertises and contacts, adding depth to the gameplay.

Cons

Limited Initial Mysteries: The base game includes only five mysteries, which some players found limiting.

Gameplay Style: Some reviewers noted that the game’s style is somewhat derivative of other investigative games.

Personal Thoughts on Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine Game

This game is ideal for fans of mystery novels, detective fiction, and puzzle-solving enthusiasts. It offers a fun and challenging experience, especially for those who enjoy deductive reasoning and strategic thinking. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it is a solid addition to any board game collection, providing hours of engaging and intellectual gameplay.

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