Mysterium (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mysterium is a cooperative deduction board game that was released in 2015 by Libellud. Designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko, Mysterium has gained popularity for its unique gameplay and intriguing murder mystery theme. The game has received critical acclaim and has won several awards for its innovative mechanics and immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Mysterium

Vision Cards: 84 cards used by the ghost to provide clues.

Character, Location, and Object Cards: Sets of cards representing suspects, locations, and weapons.

Game Screen: Used by the ghost to secretly assign and track cards.

Clairvoyancy Tokens: Used to track psychics’ progress.

Crow Markers: Indicators for the ghost to signal correct or incorrect guesses.

Suspect, Location, and Object Tokens: Tokens for each player to mark their guesses.

Time Marker: Tracks the game’s progression over seven rounds.

How To Setup Mysterium

To set up Mysterium, one player takes on the role of the ghost, while the others play as psychics. The ghost selects and secretly assigns character, location, and object cards to each psychic using the game screen. The corresponding cards are laid out face-up on the table. The ghost then draws seven vision cards and selects cards that will serve as clues for the psychics. Each psychic receives their respective vision cards, and the game begins with a sand timer to manage the time for each round’s discussions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to solve the mystery.

Asymmetric Roles: The ghost provides clues, while psychics interpret these clues.

Deduction: Psychics deduce their character, location, and object cards based on the vision cards.

Time Limit: The game is divided into seven rounds, with a time limit for each round.

Objective: Identify the correct character, location, and object for each psychic and then collectively determine the true culprit of the crime.

Player Experience

In Mysterium, the game is filled with collaborative discussions and interpretations of the vague and often cryptic vision cards provided by the ghost. Psychics must work together, using their clairvoyance skills to decipher the clues. The game requires a balance of individual interpretation and group discussion, making it engaging and challenging. The final phase involves a tense voting process where psychics, based on their clairvoyance level, make secret votes to determine the true culprit.

Pros

High Replayability: With 84 vision cards and multiple combinations of character, location, and object cards, each game offers a unique experience.

Encourages Collaboration: Players must work together and discuss their interpretations, fostering teamwork.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of deduction and time pressure makes the game thrilling and immersive.

Scalable Difficulty: The game can be adjusted to different difficulty levels based on the number of players and cards used.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setting up the game, especially for the ghost, can be time-consuming and complex.

Dependence on Player Count: While playable with 2-7 players, the game is less engaging with fewer players.

Potential for Frustration: The abstract nature of the vision cards can lead to frustration if players struggle to interpret the clues.

Personal Thoughts on Mysterium

Mysterium is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative games, puzzle-solving, and deduction. It is particularly suited for groups of friends or families who appreciate collaborative gameplay and are willing to engage in intense discussions and interpretations. The game’s unique mechanics and immersive theme make it a standout in the board game world, offering a fun and challenging experience for those who dare to uncover the mysteries of the haunted mansion.

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