Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft (2015) Board Game

Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft is a two-player card game released in 2015 and designed by Diego Ibáñez. The game is based on the famous Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and is published by Devir. Players take on the roles of either Sherlock Holmes or his brother Mycroft as they compete to solve cases and gather clues in Victorian London.

Game Components of Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft

Game Board: Representing various locations and characters from the Sherlock Holmes universe.

Worker Spaces: 12 basic characters, with 3 always present at the start and 8 randomly appearing during the game.

Clue Cards: Each card has a number indicating its quantity in the deck.

Investigation Tokens: Used as currency to obtain clues.

Map Fragments: Offering points based on the number collected.

Optional Cards: Adding additional actions and complexity, such as those introducing villains like Professor Moriarty and Sebastian Moran.

How To Setup Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft

To set up the game, players begin by shuffling the worker deck and placing the initial 5 worker spaces on the board. Each player chooses their side – either Sherlock or Mycroft – and receives a set of investigation tokens. The clue cards and map fragments are also shuffled and placed within reach. The game is ready to start after these initial steps, with each player aiming to gather evidence over 7 turns.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players send their workers to various characters to gather investigation tokens or clue cards.

Set Collection: Collecting sets of clue cards to score points.

Hand Management: Managing investigation tokens to optimize clue collection.

Open Drafting: Selecting worker spaces as they become available.

Game Objective: The player with the most valuable set of clues at the end of the 7 turns wins, with points calculated by subtracting the opponent’s matching clue cards.

Player Experience

**Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft** offers a light yet challenging experience, perfect for fans of tactical games and the Sherlock Holmes series. Players must balance their strategy between collecting valuable clues and managing their investigation tokens. The game is relatively short, lasting about 30 minutes, but it is rich in strategic depth. The thematic artwork by Pedro Soto adds to the immersive Victorian London setting.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game offers deep strategic elements.

Thematic Immersion: The game captures the essence of the Sherlock Holmes universe.

Short but Engaging: Games last only 30 minutes, making it a great fit for a quick yet satisfying play.

Cross-Platform App: Available as a free app for iOS, Android, and PC, allowing for online play against other players or AI.

Cons

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players find the game repetitive after multiple playthroughs due to the limited number of characters and cards.

Limited Character Variety: The game could benefit from more characters to increase replayability.

Personal Thoughts on Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft

**Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft** is ideal for fans of two-player games, card-driven mechanics, and the Sherlock Holmes series. It is a great choice for those who enjoy light, yet strategically challenging games. While it may lack variety in characters, the game’s strategic depth and thematic execution make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy with a touch of Victorian mystery, **Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft** is definitely worth considering.

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