Last Message (2021) Board Game

Last Message is a murder/mystery party game designed by Lee Ju-Hwa and Giung Kim. It was released in 2021 by the publisher IELLO. The game is designed for 3-8 players, with the best experience coming from playing with 4 players. Last Message has a runtime of about 15 minutes and is suitable for players aged 8 and above. The game features deduction and line drawing mechanics, making it an engaging and interactive experience for players.

Game Components of Last Message

1 Screen

4 Erasable boards

2 Dry erase markers

1 Magnifying glass token

1 Sand timer

12 Double-sided sheets representing 6 crime scenes.

How To Setup Last Message

To set up the game, players choose one of six busy and intricately designed scenes, each featuring numerous characters. The criminal and the victim sit behind a screen, while the remaining players act as detectives on the other side. The victim selects a character from the scene and marks it with a magnifying glass token, so the criminal knows who the target is. The victim then has 30 seconds to draw or write clues on a 3×3 grid to help the detectives identify the character.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roles: Players take on the roles of detectives, victim, or criminal.

Clue Giving: The victim provides clues by drawing or writing on a grid within a 30-second time limit.

Clue Erasure: The criminal erases a set number of grid sections (5 in the first round, decreasing by one each subsequent round) to obscure the clues.

Deduction: Detectives examine the remaining clues to guess the targeted character.

Rounds: The game consists of four rounds, with the detectives winning if they correctly identify the character before the end of the fourth round. Otherwise, the criminal wins.

Player Experience

Playing **Last Message** is a dynamic and engaging experience, particularly suited for families and party groups. The game requires strategic thinking from the victim to provide effective clues despite the criminal’s attempts to erase them. Detectives must be observant and deductive to piece together the remaining information. The game’s adjustable difficulty and various rules variations (e.g., allowing only drawings, or the criminal erasing extra squares) make it adaptable to different player preferences and skill levels.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: The combination of drawing, erasing, and deduction creates a fresh and entertaining gameplay experience.

High Replayability: With six different scenes and adjustable difficulty, the game offers a lot of replay value.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above, making it a great option for family game nights.

Quick and Engaging: Games are relatively short, lasting about 15 minutes, and provide an immediate sense of accomplishment when the detectives win.

Cons

Time Pressure: The 30-second time limit for the victim to draw clues can be very challenging, especially in the initial rounds.

Initial Difficulty: Starting with five erased squares can make the first round particularly hard for the detectives.

Personal Thoughts on Last Message

**Last Message** is ideal for those who enjoy “find it” games like “Where’s Wally/Waldo” or games like **Micro Macro** and **Mysterium**. It is a great addition to any game collection, especially for families or groups looking for a fun, quick, and interactive experience. The game’s ability to adjust difficulty levels ensures it can be enjoyed by a wide range of players, from children to adults. If you’re looking for a game that combines creativity, observation, and teamwork, **Last Message** is definitely worth checking out.

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