Mister X (2009) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mister X is a board game originally released in 1983, designed by Gabriele Mari and published by Ravensburger. The game has been popular for its unique combination of bluffing, deduction, and hidden movement mechanics. Over the years, Mister X has seen several reprints and editions, with the latest version released in 2009.

Game Components of Mister X

Game board featuring London’s transportation network

5 detective tokens and 1 Mister X token

Transportation tickets (taxi, bus, underground, and ferry for Mister X)

Double-move tokens for Mister X

Black tickets (wild cards) for Mister X

Travel log for Mister X to record movements

Starting station cards

Optional: helicopter tokens and roadblock tokens in some variants

How To Setup Mister X

To set up the game, each player draws a starting station card to determine their initial location. The detectives place their tokens on the board according to their cards, while Mister X keeps his location secret. The game board is divided into spaces representing different locations in London, each colored to indicate the available modes of transportation (yellow for taxis, green for buses, red for the underground).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Movement: Players use transportation tickets to move around the board. Mister X moves first, recording his move in a travel log without revealing his exact location.

Transportation Modes: Taxis allow one-space moves, buses cover more distance, and the underground enables long-distance travel. Mister X can also use ferries and black tickets for any mode of transportation.

Double Moves: Mister X has double-move tokens to make two moves in a single turn.

Revelations: At specific points, Mister X must reveal his location, giving detectives clues to plan their next moves.

Game Objective

Detectives: Win by landing on Mister X’s current location or making it impossible for Mister X to move without being caught.

Mister X: Win by evading capture until all detectives can no longer move due to exhausted ticket supplies or being in a position with no usable tickets.

Player Experience

Playing **Mister X** is a cooperative and strategic experience for the detectives, who must work together to deduce Mister X’s location based on the clues left behind. The game requires teamwork, strategic thinking, and communication skills. For Mister X, the game is about evading capture through careful planning and use of his special abilities like double moves and black tickets.

Pros

Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and strategic coordination among detectives.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and deduction to catch Mister X.

Replayability: High replayability due to the variability in Mister X’s movements and the detectives’ strategies.

Educational: Introduces players to London’s transportation network and promotes goal-setting, memory skills, and persistence.

Cons

Balance Issues: Games with fewer detectives can be challenging and may favor Mister X.

Complexity for New Players: While the rules are easy to learn, the game can be complex to master, especially for Mister X.

Downtime: Detectives may spend significant time discussing strategies after Mister X makes his moves.

Personal Thoughts on Mister X

**Mister X** is ideal for those who enjoy cooperative games, deductive reasoning, and strategic planning. It is a great game for families and groups looking for a fun, interactive challenge. However, it may not be as balanced with fewer players, and some players might find the role of Mister X overly powerful. For those who enjoy a good chase and the thrill of the unknown, **Mister X** provides an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience.

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.