Mystery Express (2010) Board Game

Mystery Express is a deduction and murder/mystery board game released in 2010 by designers Cyrille Daujean and Julien Delval. The game is published by Days of Wonder and is designed for 3 to 5 players, with a recommended age of 12 and up. Mystery Express has a runtime of 60 to 90 minutes and features gameplay mechanics such as action points, hand management, memory, trading, and variable player powers.

Game Components of Mystery Express

Gameboard: A three-panel board with a 1930s theme, showing the train’s route and various car actions.

Crime Cards: 72 cards representing modus operandi, motive, suspect, location, and time. Each category has two copies of each card, with only one set in play.

Character Tokens: Each player has a unique character with special powers of deduction.

Notepad and Telegram: For players to keep track of clues and make guesses.

Clock Cards: Used to reveal time clues at specific stops.

How To Setup Mystery Express

To set up the game, players shuffle the five crime card decks and place one card from each deck under the board. Each player receives 7 random cards from the regular crime categories, a ticket, a notepad, a telegram, and a character token. Time cards are placed next to the board, and certain cards are removed for games with fewer than five players to ensure balance.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Identify the who, what, when, where, and why of the murder before the train reaches its final destination.

Actions: Players take turns visiting different cars on the train, each with specific actions that consume ‘hours’. Actions include peeking at other players’ cards, revealing cards to all players, or swapping cards.

Clock Cards: At specific stops, players quickly view time cards to deduce the missing time element.

Conductor Mechanic: The conductor moves to a different car each turn, allowing a player in that car to pick up and replace a card.

Passengers: New passengers board at certain stops, bringing additional cards to the game.

Player Experience

Mystery Express offers a complex and engaging deduction experience. Players must strategically use their actions and special powers to uncover clues while managing the time aspect of the game. The game’s design, including the attractive 1930s theme and high-quality components, enhances the overall experience. However, it can be frustrating at times, particularly when searching for a specific card or managing the time element without notes.

Pros

High-Quality Components: Attractive and well-designed components, including the gameboard and cards.

Complex Strategies: Multiple ways to view cards and use special powers, adding replayability.

Unique Mechanics: The conductor, clock cards, and passenger mechanics add variety to the game.

Timed Ending: Prevents the game from dragging on indefinitely, adding a sense of urgency.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for some players, especially those not fond of deduction games.

Memory Challenge: The time card mechanic requires players to remember seen cards without taking notes, which can be a memory test.

Analysis Paralysis: Potential for long decision-making times, which can be frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on Mystery Express

Mystery Express is ideal for fans of deduction games who enjoy a challenge and complex strategies. It offers a unique twist on the classic whodunit genre with its train setting and various mechanics. However, it may not be suitable for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler, quicker games. If you enjoy games like Clue but are looking for something more intricate, Mystery Express is definitely worth considering.

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