Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars (2020) Board Game

Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars is a cooperative board game that was released in 2020 by Makaka Editions. The game is based on the popular Sherlock Holmes series and is designed by Cédric Asna, with artwork by Grelin. It falls under the categories of Comic Book, Murder/Mystery, and Novel-based games.

Game Components of Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars

10 case books

10 newspapers

A London directory

A large four-fold map of London

A contacts sheet

The rule book

No traditional board or cards, emphasizing narrative and investigation.

How To Setup Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars

To set up the game, players start by reading the rules and preparing necessary materials like notepads and pens. Each case begins with reading the introduction in the case book, which sets the stage for the mystery and the role players will take as Wiggins, the leader of the Baker Street Irregulars. Players then delve into the newspapers, maps, and other materials to gather clues and solve the case.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Game: Players work together to solve cases.

Storytelling: The game is heavily narrative-driven.

Deduction: Players must read and analyze clues to solve mysteries.

Objective: Solve the main case and any side cases by following leads, reading newspapers, and using the map and contacts. The goal is to score points by answering questions correctly and minimizing the number of leads taken compared to Sherlock Holmes.

Player Experience

Playing Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The game encourages thorough investigation, requiring players to read between the lines and make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information. It is highly recommended to take notes and revisit clues multiple times, as the solutions often require careful consideration and lateral thinking. While it can be played solo, the experience is enhanced with multiple players who can bounce ideas off each other.

Pros

High-Quality Components: The game materials, including the newspapers and maps, are of high quality and durable.

Engaging Narrative: The game is a masterclass in narrative and decision-making, offering a immersive mystery-solving experience.

Challenging but Rewarding: It provides a satisfying challenge that keeps players engaged and thinking critically.

Versatile Player Count: Can be played with 1 to 8 players, making it flexible for different groups.

Cons

Difficult to Solve: The cases are intentionally hard, and solutions may not always follow strict logic.

Time-Consuming: Each case can take around 3 hours to complete, and solving the mysteries requires a significant amount of time and effort.

Score Comparison: It can be disheartening to compare scores to Sherlock Holmes’ solutions, as his methods often involve leaps in logic that players may not replicate.

Personal Thoughts on Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars

Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars is ideal for fans of mystery and detective fiction, particularly those who enjoy the Sherlock Holmes canon. It is best suited for players who relish a good challenge and are willing to invest time and effort into solving intricate cases. While it can be played solo, the experience is significantly enhanced when played with a group, allowing for collaborative problem-solving and diverse perspectives. This game is not for those seeking a quick or easy board game experience but is perfect for those who love to delve deep into mysteries and enjoy the process of deduction and discovery.

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