Box cover of the board game "Mysterium" depicting a gloomy, snowy street scene with a vintage car, street lamps, and a mysterious mansion in the background, designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko, indicating age 10+, for 2-7 players, with a typical game length of 42 minutes, and a recipient of the "As d'Or Jeu de l'Année 2016" award, by publisher Libellud.
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Mysterium: Secrets & Lies (2017)

Introduction

Mysterium is a cooperative board game that was first published in 2015. It is a game of deduction and mystery where players take on the roles of psychics trying to solve a murder that occurred in a haunted mansion. The game is significant because it offers a unique and immersive experience for players, with its intricate artwork and Gameplay Mechanics of Mysterium.

Game Components of Mysterium: Secrets & Lies

  • 18 new story cards: Provide context and complexity to the enigmatic tale, replacing object cards.
  • 42 additional vision cards: Enhance the ghost’s ability to guide the psychics.
  • Six new suspects, locations, and objects: Increase replayability and intrigue.
  • Beautifully illustrated cards: Maintain the high art quality of the base game.

    How To Setup Mysterium: Secrets & Lies

    Setting up Mysterium: Secrets & Lies involves integrating the new components into the base game. Players need to add the new vision cards, story cards, suspects, locations, and objects to the existing pool. The setup remains relatively straightforward, with the new elements seamlessly blending into the original game mechanics.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative gameplay: Players work together as psychics to solve a crime.
  • Deduction and storytelling: Interpret cryptic clues from a ghost to uncover the truth.
  • Objective: Lift the veil on the events leading to the ghost’s untimely demise by solving the mystery before time runs out.

    Player Experience

    Mysterium: Secrets & Lies enriches the original game with deeper narratives and enhanced gameplay mechanics. The addition of story cards and new vision cards makes the game more challenging and engaging, while the new suspects, locations, and objects add layers of replayability. The beautiful artwork continues to captivate players, making the game an immersive experience.

    Pros

  • Deepens narrative: Introduces 18 new story cards that add context to the mystery.
  • Enhanced visions: 42 additional vision cards provide more tools for the ghost.
  • Increased replayability: Six new suspects, locations, and objects.
  • Beautiful artwork: Maintains the high art quality of the base game.
  • Family-friendly: Suitable for ages 10+, 2-7 players, with a 42-minute playtime.

    Cons

  • Challenging: Some players find the new mechanics make the game a bit more challenging.
  • Requires base game: It is an expansion and not a standalone game.

    Personal Thoughts on Mysterium: Secrets & Lies

    Mysterium: Secrets & Lies is ideal for fans of the original game looking to expand their experience with new challenges and deeper storytelling. It is suitable for families and groups of friends who enjoy cooperative deduction games. The expansion adds a fresh layer of complexity, making it a great addition for those who already enjoy the base game. However, new players will need to start with the base game before diving into this expansion.

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