P.I. (2012) Board Game – Board Game Guys

P.I. is a deduction board game designed by Martin Wallace and published by Treefrog Games in in 2012. The game is set in the 1940s, where players take on the role of private investigators trying to solve a murder mystery. With its unique theme and gameplay mechanics, P.I. has garnered a dedicated fan base over the years.

Game Components of P.I.

Game board

Player boards

Investigation tokens

Evidence tokens

Suspect tiles

Case cards

Rulebook

How To Setup P.I.

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the suspect tiles and place them face down on the designated area of the board.

Place the case cards face down near the board.

Each player receives a player board and investigation tokens.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In P.I., players take turns moving around the board, gathering evidence and questioning suspects to solve the case. The game involves deduction, tile placement, and open drafting mechanics. The objective is to be the first player to correctly solve the murder mystery by identifying the murderer, motive, and weapon.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging deduction gameplay.

Strategic tile placement.

Immersive murder mystery theme.

Cons:

Limited replayability.

Learning curve for new players.

Some components may feel flimsy.

Personal Thoughts on P.I.

P.I. is a solid deduction game that offers a unique theme and gameplay experience. The build quality of the components is decent, but some players may find them lacking compared to other games in the same category. The game’s pricing and availability can vary, with used copies being more affordable than new ones. For fans of deduction and mystery games, P.I. is definitely worth checking out. However, those who prefer more complex or strategic games may want to skip it in favor of other options like Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective or Chronicles of Crime.

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