Chronicles of Crime is a cooperative game of crime investigation, mixing an app, a board game and a touch of Virtual Reality.
With the same physical components (board, locations, characters and items), players will be able to play plenty of different scenarios and solve as many different crime stories.
Players start the app, choose the scenario they want to play, and follow the story. The goal being to catch the killer of the current case in the shortest time possible.
Using the Scan&Play technology, each component (locations, characters, items, etc.) has a unique QR code, which, depending on the scenario selected, will activate and trigger different clues and stories. That means players will be able to get new stories way after the game is released simply by downloading the app's updates, without any shipping of new physical components involved.
The VR experience only requires a mobile phone. Players simply put the VR glasses (optional buy) onto their mobile device, and put the VR glasses on their nose, holding their mobile device in front of their eyes, to immerse themselves in the game's universe and search for clues in a virtual world.
The game comes with 1 tutorial and 5 scenarios, but more can be downloaded directly inside the app!
Each session last around 1h to 1h30 minutes and many scenarios are connected to each others in order to tell a much bigger story.
—description from the publisher
- App-assisted innovation
- Multiple cases and versions for replayability
- Requires app usage and can be time-intensive
- Detective work and narrative exploration
- Investigation-based mysteries with urban settings
- Story-driven with app integration
- Red View Inn
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App-assisted mystery solving — Choose a case in the app and follow it through investigations.
- Area movement — Explore locations and pan the screen to reveal clues.
- Collaborative deduction — Players discuss and decide on the best interpretation of clues under time pressure.
- deduction — Players discuss and decide on the best interpretation of clues under time pressure.
- Location exploration — Explore locations and pan the screen to reveal clues.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Little Alchemist a fun app driven family logic deduction type game.
- So great with all the kids, you know, everybody could play.
- Chronicles of Crime is that kind of quintessential app assisted.
- In the app, you will select which mystery you want to solve, which case you want to go on.
- You explore locations, and as you move your device around, it moves around the crime scene and you're looking and you're just shouting out the things that you see as you go.
- Animals of Baker Street is 100% app free. This is a good one to unplug, have the family play with the kids.
- I love Unlock as opposed to some of the other escape room type mystery games because you don't have to destroy anything.
- fully replayable.
- you can just hand this off to somebody else to enjoy and you don't have to reset it really that much.
References (from this video)
- App-assisted investigation adds modern UX to deduction
- Cooperative play encourages team collaboration
- Story-driven mystery framework
- Relies on app availability and integration
- Learning curve for new players
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative investigation — Players collaborate to solve crimes through an app-assisted system that guides clue gathering, evidence linking, and suspect interrogation.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It's almost impossible to not have a good day at Spiel.
- I love both board games and video games, and it just—it's interesting when people dive into both.
- I bought six games yesterday.
- I really wanted to check out Dark Order.
- The artwork is absolutely stunning.
References (from this video)
- Innovative integration of a smartphone app and optional glasses to reveal clues
- High replayability and variety through app-generated scenarios
- Cooperative play that emphasizes team communication and deduction
- Requires a smartphone and optional glasses, which adds a hardware dependency
- Reliant on app stability and firmware updates for a smooth experience
- crime investigation, mystery solving, procedural deduction in a crowd-sourced, app-driven framework
- A modern-to-near-future crime investigation universe where players operate as a team using a smartphone app and optional VR glasses to scan locations, interrogate characters, and collect evidence across a series of cinematic-style scenarios.
- scenario-based, cooperative, with dynamic information flow driven by the app; replayability through multiple cases and branching outcomes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — A companion app coordinates information flow, scans, and interactions; players rely on and interact with the app to progress.
- app-assisted play — A companion app coordinates information flow, scans, and interactions; players rely on and interact with the app to progress.
- Character interrogation — Interrogating a character yields leads or new information that can be translated into clues or leads on the main board.
- cooperative investigation — Players pool intellect and resources to figure out clues, interrogate suspects, and assemble a coherent case plan.
- deduction — Interrogating a character yields leads or new information that can be translated into clues or leads on the main board.
- Evidence and clue management — Players collect clues by interacting with evidence categories and place important clues on the main board for debriefing.
- Forensic contacts and information flow — Talking to forensic contacts unlocks additional information, broadening the pool of potential leads.
- Location scanning — Scanning a location moves the team to that site within the in-game world, triggering location-based events.
- Time-sensitive scoring — Actions consume time; scenarios penalize players for taking too long, incentivizing efficient interrogation and movement.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Chronicles of Crime is a really cool innovative game with endless possibilities using the app they can throw different scenarios at you faster than you can complete them
- this one does require a phone to play in some special glasses to reveal some of the clues
- you have 40 seconds to describe what you see to your teammates
References (from this video)
- Immersive storytelling and replayability via multiple cases
- Strong group engagement and detective vibe
- App dependency and learning curve
- Some players may find cases lengthy
- crime investigation, noir storytelling
- modern crime detective stories
- story-driven, app-assisted
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Watson & Holmes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — Cooperative case solving with a companion app
- app-assisted play — Cooperative case solving with a companion app
- cooperative deduction — Group works to solve cases by sharing clues
- deduction — Group works to solve cases by sharing clues
- Narrative branching — Case outcomes and interrogation paths adapt to choices
- Narrative choice — Case outcomes and interrogation paths adapt to choices
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- that's number 50, that's Stone Age
- Just One is really a party game to me
- it's app assisted... and the stories evolve
- Monk ala... activate all these other spots on the board
- it's almost like watching a TV show
- the app lets you hint and push through
- Steam has two sets of rules - advanced and normal
- Unlock is probably for me my favorites of this sort of escape room puzzle solving thing
- Airlines Europe is almost like a train game but it's an airline game
- Eldritch Horror... big map and globe-trotting encounters
References (from this video)
- Strong narrative arc with dynamic branching
- Immersive investigative feel
- App integration can be fragile
- Requires setup and can be assembly-heavy
- collaborative mystery solving with evolving evidence
- Noir investigation with crime scenes across time
- branching narrative influenced by player choices
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dialogue_choice — Talk to suspects to unlock new leads
- dynamic_events — Events shift based on clues and actions across scenes
- Events — Events shift based on clues and actions across scenes
- investigation_engine — Use real-world clues and AR-style scanning to advance
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The arc is this strange cadence to it.
- And so it has this sort of the arc of the game is in these interesting spurts of attention and ignorance that players throw each to each other's ways.
- The arc has such strong story beats to it, especially with the new stuff.
- Desperation. We're all going to lose.
- It's a nailbiter like it gets right to the edge.
References (from this video)
- Immersive, cinematic feel aided by the app
- Strong narrative and detective flavor
- Cooperative teamwork to solve cases
- App dependency may limit accessibility for some users
- Can feel one-and-done per scenario; replay value depends on new cases
- detective work, deduction, collection of clues
- crime investigation in a modern/multi-city setting with varying scenarios
- story-driven investigations guided by app-based clues and clues leading to suspects
- Pandemic
- Gloomhaven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-driven investigation — players use a companion app to access scenes, clues, and 360-degree crime-scene exploration
- QR/clue integration — cards contain QR codes linking to digital information and narrative progress
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Cooperative games are normally like very thematic.
- you’re not playing against each other you’re trying everybody together to solve the mechanic to solve the problem.
- it's a really friendly game that will everybody try to win or lose together.
- the desert moves around and blows around the desert… the desert is actually trying to kill you.
- it’s brutally punishing.
References (from this video)
- cooperative narrative with tech integration
- digital component can be fiddly
- detective mystery solving
- crime investigation in a modern city
- investigative storytelling
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — Use an app to process clues and guide investigations.
- app-assisted deduction — Use an app to process clues and guide investigations.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- First Call of the night is Tiny towns
- I didn't love Meadow
- I honestly really enjoy it
- Spirit Island is staying
- we're keeping viticulture
- Penny's here too
- it's a party of puppies
References (from this video)
- massive content with lots of scenarios
- solo play supported with strong app integration
- noisy app requirements in some setups
- crime solving through digital case files
- Modern crime investigation with noir elements
- story-driven deduction with integrated AR/QR mechanics
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deduction — solve crimes by gathering clues and testing hypotheses
- QR Code Integration — scan codes to reveal case content and clues
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a really cool worker placement game
- it's such a cool rule set
- it's a bucket load of scenarios
- this is a big, bold, immersive fantasy dungeon game
References (from this video)
- clever system with infinite possibilities
- great for two players with strong narrative hooks
- heavy on rules and components; may have a learning curve
- mystery solving through clue exploration
- crime investigation with digitized evidence
- immersive, high-tech
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted investigation — scanning QR codes and using an app to collect and process evidence
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I think Concordia is one of the best games ever made, full stop
- two players it works extremely well because the downtime is gone
- it's a brain burner game
- the tension in the two-player game is great
- loads of content to explore, tons of replayability
References (from this video)
- accessible cooperative experience
- immersive crime-solving with an app-driven format
- engaging for groups regardless of familiarity with board games
- some players may not enjoy heavy app involvement
- longer sessions can be required for deeper investigations
- crime solving
- crime scenes around London, with a modern investigative vibe
- immersive and observational, with app-driven storytelling
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — an integrated app delivers clues, suspects, and narrative elements.
- app-assisted clues — an integrated app delivers clues, suspects, and narrative elements.
- cooperative actions — players collaboratively investigate and decide what questions to ask and where to look next.
- cooperative investigation — players collaboratively investigate and decide what questions to ask and where to look next.
- QR/code and AR-like interaction — scanning QR codes and evidence to reveal information and advance the case.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's intensely thematic as you spend the game drawing on your map trying to eliminate possible areas and deduce where it could be
- Chronicles of Crime is a crime solving game in the vein of Sherlock Holmes consulting detective that uses an app to deliver its clues and story
- the game lets you step into the crime scenes yourself by using virtual reality glasses with the phone app
- Shadows Amsterdam feels like a wonderful combination of Code Names and Mysterium turned up to eleven by introducing the frantic stress of a real-time game
- Detective a modern crime game is a crime solving cooperative game from Portal Games
- the cases are rich and complex and you will feel like real detectives as you take notes, pour over all the information and argue with your friends about suspects and leads
- Railroad Inc hits that perfect spot for a roll and write game of being easy to jump into
- the river is the latest game from Days of Wonder who are famous for beautiful approachable games for newbies like Ticket to Ride
- timing is everything you desperately want to build early as bonuses dwindle
- Western Legends the freedom of sandbox means they can be loose and there's some expectation to balance the game if you don't want someone to achieve a runaway outlaw strategy you need to stop them but that's keeping with the theme
- it's the closest boardgames will come to the video game Red Dead Redemption
- Pictomania is fast fun and chaotic
References (from this video)
- noted as a co-op detective experience with QR code integration
- appeals to puzzle-solving and narrative discovery
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I think this is a fantastic look.
- it's a fantastic collection almost I want it.
- I still don't have eclipse.
References (from this video)
- engaging detective experience
- strong story integration
- writing can feel generic at times
- mystery and deduction
- crime investigations
- investigative storytelling
- Detective: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted deduction — digital plugin to manage leads and scenes
- Narrative-driven — investigations unfold through story beats
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a gateway game
- I like it because of the theme
- the storytelling book in War of Mine is really well-written
- I would love every video to be as entertaining as my best ones
- patreon would grow to a level where I could work with other people
References (from this video)
- Matches personal gaming interests
- Deduction style would work well
- Requires app which he dislikes
- Haven't played
- Detective deduction
- Crime investigation
- Narrative
- The Key
- Zoologans
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app integration — Requires smartphone app to play
- deduction — Solving mysteries
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- It wasn't just the hundred sort of best designed games this was the hundred games that I feel that I'm particularly sort of connected to
- The games that have a place in my heart really games that I've got a lot of nostalgia for
- It felt a bit like doing a roll and write game but without all of the sort of convenience
- I wish I still had castles of burgundy and notre dame
- The main thing that got in the way for me was all the iconography
- I do use board games as an escape from screens and technology
- I really like the production of cockroach poker
- I found it was a game where I could see the ending coming and then someone would just go and there we go we've got another 20 minutes now
- It feels like something other than a board game
- The decisions you make in the game are very very slight
- Right up my alley
- I do really like push your luck
- That's my favorite game
- Abyss is my second favorite game
- I love pekka pig
- I just think it's ugly
References (from this video)
- Quicker gameplay than Sherlock Holmes
- Easier to get to table
- Many scenarios available
- App integration
- Detective mystery with app
- Crime investigation
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-driven — Uses app for story progression
- scenario-based — Multiple scenarios available
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's just like falling off it's just literally there are 100 better games in it
- Small Islands uh this is the one that i've been saying is a replacement for carcassonne
- way too complicated for its own good
- it is one of the most beautiful games in existence
- i still think five tribes is better than yamatai
- nations is still my preference to fruity ages in terms of playing a physical game
- really good negotiation game
- great teamwork cooperative very cool
- this is a really good solo
- the deductions are really hard it's a really tough one to do
- it's oh it's a mind bender gorgeous looking
- reef is still a really cool game
- azul is only that good at two player
- near and far still really good
- there's no reason to play that one if you have near and far
References (from this video)
- Immersive detective experience
- Strong thematic engagement
- App reliance may limit accessibility for some players
- Murder mystery solving with tech integration
- Modern crime investigation
- Cooperative, investigative storytelling
- Crime Puzzle games
- Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- crime-solving with app integration — Use a companion app to scan clues and interact with augmented reality elements.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The best horror game on the market is in fact Final Girl. And I’m not just saying that because Van Rider Games is the sponsor this month for the channel. I am saying it because it is true.
- I love a theme. It's one of my favorite things.
- Stay spooky.
References (from this video)
- App-based play enables new adventures without additional physical components
- VR module adds immersion
- Evidence board and scanning mechanics provide tactile-digital integration
- Expandable content via app updates and Kickstarter expansions
- Compact rulebook; content is well organized for setup
- Reliance on a functioning app; potential tech issues or device requirements
- Kickstarter exclusives not included in retail version; expansions cost
- App content and expansions may not be fully available at launch
- Additional accessories (VR module) may be an extra purchase
- crime solving through technology-assisted detective work
- London, modern-day crime investigation
- investigative with modular scenarios and app-driven clues
- Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App-assisted gameplay — an accompanying app scans QR codes to reveal clues and drive the narrative
- evidence board — physical board to lay out clues; digital scanning updates info
- location/character cards with codes — cards that, when scanned, provide interaction options or learn more about characters/locations
- Scenario-based progression — multiple scenarios including a tutorial and expansions with new adventures
- VR/AR style scene exploration — a virtual reality module or simulated exploration of crime scenes to identify clues
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm really kind of pumped for how this is gonna work
- this game is app based
- on top of that there is also a VR type element to it
- they can put out new adventures whenever they want
- I'm a big fan of using technology in board games
- I love VR
- this is Kickstarter copy
- the glasses that you just saw in the two expansions they don't come with the retail game
- some expansions haven't actually been put in the app yet and they're coming soon
- I might be able to bring this to the table
- it's going to be different areas like locations and characters that you interact with via scanning
References (from this video)
- immersive app integration
- story-driven
- requires app and physical components
- crime investigation
- modern city crime investigations
- investigative with app integration
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Mysterium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app integration — QR codes and location dialogue via phone
- deduction — Solve crimes by following leads and clues
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a really cool design and simple to play
- this is one of my go-to social deduction games
- it's simple you know doesn't take too long and still gives you like an interesting story with a lot of freedom
- it's Zen-like bag-builder
- it's a big engine builder with the mechs
- it's a very cool negotiation game
References (from this video)
- immersive app integration
- strong storytelling
- kid-friendly variant available
- could be too mature for some kids
- investigation/VR integration
- crime investigation world
- immersive and story-driven
- Chronicles of Crime
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted investigation — use app to view clues and VR around scenes
- cooperative deduction — players share clues to solve the case
- Narrative branching — decisions affect outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- 12 great games for kids for you to get for them for Christmas this year
- We tried to pick games that are in print
- Chronicles of Crime is great, but do not recommend it for kids, but they do have Kids Chronicles
- This is a very fun, entertaining game for younger children
- Check out our other nine lists
References (from this video)
- innovative AR integration
- engaging mystery-solving experience
- app/board UX can be finicky
- some cases feel repetitive after a while
- detective noir with tech-forward twists
- crime investigation with augmented reality tech
- case-based, discovery-driven
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — players collaborate to solve cases using AR-assisted clues
- story-driven investigations — cases unfold with branching outcomes based on choices
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Spirit Island not Spirit Away mind you it's a great movie if we were giving away Badges of approval for movies Spirited Away a batch of approval but Spirit Island also and this is greater than games
- Spirit Island is a fabulous game... it's fantastic
- Terraforming Mars yes it's our favorite ugly game terrifying Mars is amazing
- I would play that anytime you brought it out
- it's so freaking cool
- we're giving away four copies of Sagrada to four different people
References (from this video)
- Engaging mystery mechanics
- Good with 2 players
- Group dynamic issues - loudest voice dominates
- Too many cooks in the kitchen for some
- Mystery
- Crime Investigation
- Historical Settings
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- If Jamie wins a game the first time we play it is an asterisk win if I win a game the first time we play it it is not an asterisk win
- I absolutely love this game
- We understand why everyone loves this game, in our playthroughs it just did not work for us
- Instant love for me
- Jason dominated our January
- He's an undercover competitive person and he's just really good at games
- We are even stevens
- If one of us have no chance of winning and I'm hell-bent on making sure Jamie doesn't win
- You should see us play ping pong
- I feel like you were surprised that I liked this game
References (from this video)
- Innovative app-integrated investigative gameplay
- High replayability with multiple scenarios
- Group-oriented problem solving
- Requires smartphone and VR-like glasses
- Setup can be complex
- Learning curve for new players
- Detective work, deduction, coordinated investigation across scenes
- Modern urban crime investigations using an app and special glasses
- Procedural mystery with branching scenarios driven by app
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — A mobile app controls game flow and delivers clues.
- app integration — A mobile app controls game flow and delivers clues.
- Clue scanning — Scan locations, characters, evidence categories, and forensic contacts to reveal information.
- Compound Scoring — Limited time per action and scenarios affect score.
- Cooperative Game — Players work together to gather clues and solve cases.
- cooperative play — Players work together to gather clues and solve cases.
- deduction — Scan locations, characters, evidence categories, and forensic contacts to reveal information.
- Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game — Diverse cases generated by the app.
- scenario-based content — Diverse cases generated by the app.
- Time-based scoring — Limited time per action and scenarios affect score.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Chronicles of Crime is a really cool innovative game with endless possibilities using the app they can throw different scenarios at you faster than you can complete them
- this one does require a phone to play and some special glasses to reveal some of the clues
References (from this video)
- immersive app integration
- engaging cases and storytelling
- app reliability can impact flow
- setup can be time-consuming
- deduction through clues and interrogation
- modern urban crime investigation
- case-based, cinematic
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted deduction — scan clues and interact with suspects using a companion app
- cooperative play — players collaborate to solve cases
- mixed-digital clues — combines physical components with digital clues and scenes
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's a Tetris-like game where you have cats in different shapes and you're just trying to fill out your ship"
- "you're saving them on that ship by filling it out and you score points for that"
- "it's a really beautiful game"
- "Chronicles of Crime is a deduction game where you're solving a crime by scanning with the app different clues and and people and then they talk to you"
- "Code names is a team game where there's a captain on each team and he's giving out clues to his teammates and they're trying to guess the words"
- "Agricola Tolkien damn it"
- "exactly one point for you"
References (from this video)
- immersive, tech-assisted mystery solving
- replayability through varied cases
- app reliance can lead to technical friction
- detective mystery solving
- modern crime scenes and investigations
- interactive, app-assisted detective experience
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- App Assisted — Use an app to collect clues, scan QR codes, and advance cases.
- app-assisted play — Use an app to collect clues, scan QR codes, and advance cases.
- case variability — Different cases yield different investigative experiences.
- cooperative deduction — Players work together to form hypotheses and solutions.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- phones will need to go inside this box
- what a night
- i am a good host
- this game's supposed to take 60 to 90 minutes to play we don't have time right now
References (from this video)
- Strong thematic integration of detective work with VR
- Cooperative play
- Varied cases and replay value
- Potential learning curve
- Dependence on app/VR tech for full experience
- Detective / crime investigation
- Modern-day crime solving with a VR element
- Case-based, story-driven
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative play — Players work together to solve a case.
- Deduction / puzzle solving — Find evidence, question suspects, deduce solution.
- Investigation with app/VR — Use a mobile app to access clues; VR headset component.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a crime solving cooperative game
- Jetpack Joyride is a real-time puzzle game
- This one sounds fascinating to me
- I love dexterity games
- Exit the game is this amazing line of escape room games
- Pictomania second edition is a wonderful drawing game
- I can't wait for the expo to meet everyone
References (from this video)
- strong puzzle design
- varied missions and outcomes
- can be time-consuming
- depends heavily on player interaction
- deduction and interrogation
- crime investigation
- procedural detective cases with evolving clues
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — players collaborate to solve cases using clue cards, scenes, and evidence
- deduction — players collaborate to solve cases using clue cards, scenes, and evidence
- mission-based progression — cases unfold through linked missions with evolving objectives
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the monuments are just beautiful looking
- the engine building ... pump up the points
- Welcome To The Moon adds a really interesting twist on it
- the simultaneous play which is a huge one honestly
- bag drawing from the bag push your luck
- every scenario has its own custom deck
- diagonal movement which feels like a game-changing change
- the production value I think is great
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Say Anything board game challenge with a board gamey twist
- That is the say anything board game challenge definitely try this at home and let us know
- It's not as easy as people probably think it is
- We cheated maybe we should have draped something over them
- Both said Chronicles of Crime at least four times
- We were talking about the expansions in our heads
References (from this video)
- Strong integration of tech into detective storytelling
- Highly collaborative and puzzle-dense experience
- Heavy text and clue-reading can be dense
- Deductive investigation with a web of interconnected clues
- Cooperative crime-solving using a mix of board game and digital/tablet interfaces
- Collaborative discovery across locations and characters, using technology to reveal relevance
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deduction — Clues and characters are accessed via a tablet/phone with QR-type interfaces.
- large clue density and red herrings — A web of clues that may mislead; players piece together connections.
- location-based exploration — Players move through locations and interrogate witnesses/characters for clues.
- QR-coded clues and cue cards — Each card has a cue and can be scanned to reveal relevance to a scene.
- smart-device/clue scanning — Clues and characters are accessed via a tablet/phone with QR-type interfaces.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- not alone is a great overall thematic game and that's why it's number 10 on the list
- season one is like 95% identical to the original pandemic
- it's like watching a Netflix show as you are playing these games
- Spirit Island is the most thematic out of all of these
- genuinely I felt like I was in this cramped pressure-filled crazy stressful submarine duking it out to the death
References (from this video)
- immersive app integration
- two-player puzzle solving works well
- engaging investigations
- app-dependent
- expansions can escalate complexity
- crime solving with interactive app support
- investigations across modern-day locales
- investigation-driven
- The Initiative
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted deduction — collect clues via app and physical components to solve mysteries
- genre-crossing puzzle solving — blend of escape-room style puzzles and narrative progression
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- patchwork is a great game for couples
- it's a great first date game
- the app, the narration is pretty good on the app
- silver bullet obviously... it is literally the best game
- villainous is in my opinion one of the most perfect games for couples
References (from this video)
- Innovative use of tech and QR codes
- Strong first play experience and variety with expansions
- One-and-done nature; some missions predictable; expansions may be as good as base
- investigation, noir vibe; modular content
- murder mystery and crime solving using interactive components
- cooperative, scenario-based
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — players collaborate to interpret evidence and questions
- QR code scanning / app integration — digital component reveals clues
- Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game — one-and-done missions with variety
- scenario-based content — one-and-done missions with variety
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- the production and the visual aesthetic of the game was absolutely stunning
- the decisions were relatively uninteresting and pretty obvious once you've groked the game
- one and done style game so once you've done one of the missions you've experienced it can't go play it again
- it's a gorgeous looking game
- the money in this game, particularly in the first half was extremely tight
- this game's out there that I enjoy more that are faster they're a bit more succinct
References (from this video)
- very innovative app-driven experience
- strong replayability with different cases
- great for introducing non-gamers to detective games
- app dependency can be a barrier for some
- video content can slow setup and play
- multimedia integration with QR code use and AR-like components
- crime investigation with modern tech flavor
- dynamic, app-assisted story investigation
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
- Detective: Modern Crime Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 3D/physical investigations — physical scene examinations and evidence gathering
- app-driven investigation — scan QR codes to unlock content and evidence
- variable chapter-based quests — chapters evolve based on decisions and evidence found
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's so simple to play where you are literally you've got a spread of five tiles at your disposal
- the board looks absolutely fantastic and you are trying to do lots of different things
- this is the living game where the next setup is based on how you played the prior game
- the engine-building in Deus is really tight and rewarding
- the app integration in Chronicles of Crime adds ongoing content and keeps the game fresh
- Deep Sea Adventure is charming and tense with the oxygen mechanic
References (from this video)
- great investigative experience
- strong use of tech integration
- depends on app stability and content availability
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- app-assisted murder mystery investigation — Scan QR codes to access clues and solve crimes; integrates digital components.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- mind was a big hit for me in 2018
- this is the second Wolfgang Warsch game
- Gloomhaven really did blow me away
- absolutely genius mechanisms