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Description
Detective: City of Angels, set in the dark and violent world of 1940s Los Angeles, is a game of mystery, deception, and investigation for 1–5 players. Most players will step into the shoes of LAPD homicide detectives, hungry for glory and willing to do whatever it takes to successfully close a case, even if that means intimidating suspects, concealing evidence, and hiring snitches to rat on their fellow detectives. One player, however, will take on the role of The Chisel, whose only goal is to stall and misdirect the detectives at every turn using bluffing, manipulation, and (often) outright lies.
Detective: CoA uses the innovative ARC (Adaptive Response Card) System to create the feel of interrogating a suspect. Suspects do not simply give paragraph-book responses; instead The Chisel carefully chooses how they will answer. When Billy O'Shea insists that the victim was a regular at Topsy's Nightclub, is he telling the truth or is The Chisel subtly leading the detectives toward a dead end that will cost them precious time? Detectives can challenge responses that they think are lies but at great risk: If they're wrong, The Chisel will acquire leverage over them, making the case that much harder to solve.
Detective: CoA includes separate, detailed casebooks for both the detectives and The Chisel. Each crime is a carefully constructed puzzle that can unfold in a variety of ways depending on how the detectives choose to pursue their investigations. As the detectives turn the city upside down, uncovering fresh evidence and "hot" leads, hidden suspects may be revealed and new lines of questioning will open up, creating a rich, story-driven experience.
Inspired by classic film noir like The Big Sleep, the works of James Ellroy (L.A. Confidential), and the video game L.A. Noire from Rockstar Games, Detective: City of Angels is a murder-mystery game unlike any other. Will one detective rise above the rest and close the case on L.A.'s latest high profile murder? Or will The Chisel sow enough doubt and confusion to prevent the detectives from solving the crime?
—description from the publisher
A "sleuth" mode allows 1 or more players to play fully cooperatively, solving the cases together.
Year Published
2019
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 7
This page: 7
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–7 of 7
Video 5Xn3_4ep3sg
Get Into Games on Air interview at 6:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61699 · mention_pk 154360
Click to watch at 6:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging cooperative investigation experience
- Narrative-driven cases
- Good for groups that enjoy puzzle-solving
Cons
- Learning curve
- Requires a relatively coordinated group to play well
Thematic elements
- investigation, detective work
- Los Angeles, crime-noir investigations
- case-based storytelling
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — Players collaborate to gather clues and question suspects to solve cases.
- deduction — Players collaborate to gather clues and question suspects to solve cases.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we film quite a lot and then we try to get it out overnight so that people if they're coming to the convention can look forward to watching it
- there's always loads of tables that you can sit at
- the raffle is that's the best thing about Aircon
- Cosmos do a Dodo competition the world dodo Championship
- our little community of board gamers are amazing
- we've got a massive Library borrow a game give it a go
- it's the 10th anniversary Aircon
- we broke Dixit, didn't we as well
- poetry for neanderthals is a guilty pleasure
- the dodo was behind the security curtain
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6v7rGbibtYg
Unknown Channel game_review at 1:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 35621 · mention_pk 106441
Click to watch at 1:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Highly thematic with a strong noir atmosphere
- Narrative progression and evolving clues create a compelling story arc
- Exclusive clues reward fast, decisive players and add tension
- Voice-acted case files and production elements elevate immersion
- Chisel role provides a DM-like dynamic that some players enjoy
Cons
- Chisel can feel one-note and dull, reducing mystery and suspense
- Replay value is limited due to a fixed set of cases (nine in the box)
- The map is large but largely empty and not very differentiated
- Even with a cooperative variant, the core is still a two-player-centric rhythm
- Overall value for money is questionable given perceived longevity and replayability
Thematic elements
- crime investigation, noir detective work, evidence gathering and deduction
- 1930s-1940s Los Angeles noir atmosphere; police procedure and detective work
- case-based, evolving narrative with time pressure and selective revelation
Comparison games
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Chronicles of Crime
- Police Precinct
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area movement — Board is divided into regions; players move to the edge to cross into new regions
- best response and challenge — Chisel can supply a best response; players may challenge and risk leverage markers
- case files, evidence, and archive — Case cards and evidence remove/archive markers guide information reveal and accessibility
- deduction — Detectives can question suspects at a location; knowledge markers gate what can be asked
- DM/Chisel role — One player acts as the chisel, controlling information flow, case briefs, and responses to players
- knowledge and leverage systems — Knowledge markers, leverage markers, bribes, and snitch tokens regulate information sharing and challenge outcomes
- region-based movement — Board is divided into regions; players move to the edge to cross into new regions
- suspect cards and questioning — Detectives can question suspects at a location; knowledge markers gate what can be asked
- time-limited solving and final guess — Players may make a final guess; failure tightens the timeline and hands the win to the chisel
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really really wanted to like this game, but it just fell short for me.
- This is the most thematic game in the detective genre. I mean, think about like detective by Portal Games, Chronicles of Crime, or even Police Precinct.
- The map is largely pointless really.
- The Chisel Roll is dull and can be relegated down to selecting a true or false choice.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OrL8bDJAv2M
general_discussion at 4:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10541 · mention_pk 30976
Click to watch at 4:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- innovative interrogation mechanic
- asymmetric player roles create tension
- strong theme of LA-style detective work
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- police procedural and interrogation dynamics
- Los Angeles, detective/interrogation milieu
- dialogue-driven interrogation with asymmetric play
Comparison games
- Hostage Negotiator
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetric play — one player acts as the 'chisel' against detectives to drive information flow
- Interrogation — players ask questions and receive response cards representing suspect statements
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the art on this one is absolutely gorgeous
- it's a very family friendly game
- it's lightweight entry-level gamers that haven't had a lot access the lobby
- this is a one player game
- it's the same thing as hostage
- you'll ask questions and you'll get response cards
- that chisel player is against all the detectives
- you get four books each book is a different character
- every book is about 70% of the same but there will be small differences as you go through the panels
- you make decision as a group
- you can see this book here you can see this 57 over here by the rock this is unique to this particular book
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video scjyYA_MlXY
Essen Day 3 Wrap Up general_discussion at 45:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10497 · mention_pk 30900
Click to watch at 45:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong art and noir vibe
- clear, accessible deduction mechanics
Cons
- complex rulebook for newcomers
- may require careful setup and playthroughs to optimize
Thematic elements
- investigation-driven storytelling
- Noir Los Angeles; detective investigations and casework
- case-based narrative with evidence-led progression
Comparison games
- Dixit
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deduction/decision trees — Follow clues and make investigative choices that affect outcomes.
- story-driven cards — Cards drive case progression and reveal new leads.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a mashup between Warhammer which I'm also a huge fan and I still and in the end the CCGs
- the three sets mix to create your own unique identity in Sorcerer
- it's a brilliant, ambitious mashup and a potential system seller
- Azul Summer Pavilion is good; demos were solid
- Batman Talisman Super Villain Edition looks like a beautiful thing
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sd_50LNgFEI
No Rolls Bard top_10_list at 6:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8216 · mention_pk 24119
Click to watch at 6:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Dramatic, cinematic feel with a strong atmosphere and high production standards.
- Chisel mechanic creates tension and lively negotiation-like play among players.
Cons
- Asymmetric player powers require clear house rules; complexity can be intimidating.
- Balance can shift if players over-index on one investigation path.
Thematic elements
- murder mystery with a hyper-immersive detective atmosphere
- rough-and-tumble Los Angeles in a noir-tinged mid-20th-century vibe
- choose-your-own-adventure style investigation with a game master-like role (the chisel)
Comparison games
- L.A. Noire
- Detective: Season One
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric role-play (the chisel) — one player acts as the chisel, a masterful manipulator of suspects and information to drive intrigue and misdirection.
- branching investigations — players pursue leads along a mapped city with time/resource tradeoffs and dynamic questioning outcomes.
- moral and social deduction — suspect interviews are colored by deception mechanics, requiring players to weigh truth against manipulation.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- mystery games are the best
- mind-bendingly wonderful stuff
- this game is cool though like elenoir the chisel can make the suspects lie to the players when questioned
- you've cracked the case
- they push the boundaries of what you can do with bits of paper
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cQ-ooH8h0X4
Be On Solitaire top_200_list at 17:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3375 · mention_pk 9988
Click to watch at 17:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging mystery pacing
- Strong solo-friendly scenarios
Cons
- Availability and price in some regions
Thematic elements
- Story-driven with investigative mechanics
- Investigation-focused, noir-themed detective work
Comparison games
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Narrative-driven detective play — Players solve cases using clue management and event resolution.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Spirit Island is just so engaging and interesting.
- Words cannot express how dominant this is.
- My true love is still Mage Knight… but Spirit Island ate and left no crumbs.
- The solo gaming community is the best gaming community.
- Thank you so much to the solo Community; you guys do a great job.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qReIj8aHRvE
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 3:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1515 · mention_pk 144118
Click to watch at 3:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong noir atmosphere and tension
- Engaging storytelling that fits anti-hero vibe
- Appealing to Kickstarter-era hype and indie game discovery
Cons
- Limited explicit rule details in the transcript
- Ambiguity around exact components and core mechanics
Thematic elements
- crime investigation, undercover noir
- Urban noir crime setting in Los Angeles
- noir storytelling, first-person monologue
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- deduction — A storytelling framework that blends investigation and deduction within a noir premise
- narrative-driven deduction — A storytelling framework that blends investigation and deduction within a noir premise
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "City of Angels"
- "Greed this is the perfect crime"
- "not on my watch"
- "I wasn't gonna be getting out of there anytime soon"
- "guess the chisel wins for now"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–7 of 7