Kronologic: Paris 1920 (2024) Board Game

Kronologic: Paris 1920 is a deduction and murder mystery board game designed by Fabien Gridel and Yoann Levet. It was released in 2024 by Origames and is suitable for 1-4 players aged 10 and above. Set in Paris during the 1920s, players must solve a series of puzzles and mysteries to uncover the truth behind a murder.

Game Components of Kronologic: Paris 1920

Location cards: Used to represent different rooms in the Paris Opera.

Time cards: Indicate the six different time periods characters move through.

Character cards: Represent the suspects whose movements players need to track.

Perforated tiles: Special tiles used to reveal clues when aligned with suspect or location cards.

Note sheets and screens: For each player to record and hide their findings.

Investigation booklets: Contain the scenarios, cases, and answers.

Scenario and investigation cards: Provide the setup and questions for each case.

How To Setup Kronologic: Paris 1920

To set up the game, players first choose a scenario and then an investigation within that scenario. Each scenario has five investigations, each rated by difficulty (1 to 5 stars). Players are advised to start from the easiest to the most challenging. Each player receives a note sheet, a screen, and a writing instrument. The location cards for the chosen investigation are placed face down on the table. The rules specify which characters and time cards are used and the starting positions for each character.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Alignment Mechanic: Players align a suspect’s card with a perforated tile to get two pieces of information: one shared with all players and one private.

Location + Time Question: Choose a room and a time period to find out how many characters were in that location and the identity of one character.

Location + Character Question: Choose a room and a character to find out how many times the character was in that location and one time period they were definitely there.

Objective: Solve the mystery by answering the questions outlined in the introduction by deducing the characters’ movements.

Winning Condition: The first player to correctly answer the questions wins the game.

Player Experience

Players take on the role of investigators trying to unravel mysteries at the Paris Opera. The game requires strategic questioning and deduction skills, as players gather clues by aligning cards and tiles. The game can be played competitively, collaboratively, or solo, offering diverse ways to challenge deductive skills. With 15 unique investigations across three scenarios, each offering a new challenge and immersive storyline, the game provides a fresh and thrilling deduction experience.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The unique alignment mechanic and deduction process make the game highly engaging.

Multiple Play Styles: Supports competitive, cooperative, and solo play.

High Replayability: 15 unique investigations across three scenarios.

Develops Deduction Skills: Enhances logical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for younger players despite the 10+ age recommendation.

Dependence on Widget: The game heavily relies on the perforated tiles, which might be a turn-off for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Kronologic: Paris 1920

**Kronologic: Paris 1920** is perfect for fans of logic puzzles and deduction games. Given its complexity, it is more suited for teens and adults who enjoy challenging puzzle games. The unique mechanics and immersive storyline make it a standout in the genre, especially for those familiar with other works by Yoann Levet, such as Turing Machine. This game is ideal for players looking to enhance their deductive skills and enjoy a thrilling mystery-solving experience.

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