Letters from Whitechapel (2011) Board Game

Letters from Whitechapel is a board game released in 2011 by Nexus Editrice. It is a deduction and bluffing game set in the post-Napoleonic era, where players take on the roles of either Jack the Ripper or the detectives trying to catch him. The game is designed by Gabriele Mari and Gianluca Santopietro, with artwork also done by Santopietro.

Game Components of Letters from Whitechapel

Wooden discs for seeding the board with police and “The Wretched” pawns

Upgraded privacy screen for the Jack player

Thick, heavy cardboard components

Plastic chips for clues

Screens for the Jack player

Pen and paper for note-taking

How To Setup Letters from Whitechapel

Setting up the game is relatively straightforward and does not take more than five minutes. Players need to place the wooden discs on the board to represent the police and the victims (“The Wretched”). The Jack player sets up their hideout and other starting conditions behind their privacy screen. The police players receive their starting information and prepare for the first night.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hidden Movement: One player, Jack the Ripper, moves secretly around the board.

Memory: Players need to remember previous moves and clues.

Point to Point Movement: Police move around the board to track Jack.

Secret Unit Deployment: Jack deploys his hideout and victims secretly.

Team-Based Game: Multiple players can control the detectives.

Objective: Jack wins if he evades the police for all four nights. The police win if they capture Jack.

Player Experience

Playing *Letters from Whitechapel* can be a highly immersive and tense experience. The game is known for its dramatic moments, especially when the police narrow down Jack’s possible locations. The game requires careful deduction and strategic thinking, with the Jack player using trickery and misdirection to evade capture. The psychological aspect of the game is significant, as Jack listens to the table talk among the detectives to adjust his strategy.

Pros

Tense and Exciting Gameplay: The game can create nail-biting moments and high emotional investment.

Pure Deduction and Logic: It focuses on cold, hard calculations to catch the criminal.

Improved Components: The use of wooden discs and upgraded screens enhances the game’s quality and durability.

High Replayability: Each game can be significantly different based on player strategies.

Cons

Variable Game Quality: The experience can be either amazing or disappointing, depending on the initial clues and player strategies.

Potential for Downtime: There can be significant downtime between player turns, especially with more players.

Long Playtime: Games can last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, which may not be suitable for all players.

Unforgiving: A very clever Jack can make the game frustrating for less clever detectives.

Personal Thoughts on Letters from Whitechapel

*Letters from Whitechapel* is ideally suited for players who enjoy deduction games, hidden movement mechanics, and strategic thinking. It is best played with a smaller group, as it tends to be more enjoyable in a one-on-one or small group setting. The game’s historical and thematic elements, although intense, add depth to the gameplay. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your logical reasoning and provides a unique, suspenseful experience, *Letters from Whitechapel* is definitely worth considering. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer quick, light-hearted games or are sensitive to the game’s thematic content.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.