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Game Info
Year
2021
Collection
Your Tier
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Expansions & Family
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Description
Vienna Connection is a standalone game inspired by the game mechanisms of Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game. In this game, players take on the roles of CIA agents sent to Europe in 1977 during the Cold War to investigate the mysterious death of James Werner, an American citizen murdered in Vienna.
The international plot involves various secret agencies, and players will travel around Europe visiting a dozen destinations and discovering secrets.
Vienna Connection, although inspired by Detective, is a standalone game with new rules and game mechanisms that bring the spy theme to life. Players will manage resources (such as informants, bribes, and pieces of information), decode reports (including secret messages, codes, and wiretapped conversations), and will have to outsmart enemy spy agencies.
—description from the publisher
Detective – A Modern Crime Board Game (Portal Games) Family
(3 games)
Part of the Detective – A Modern Crime Board Game (Portal Games) family — see Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game for the combined view.
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Rules Teach
Vienna Connection - How To Play
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 5 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 2 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video J0inDboyRac
Board Gaming Ramblings Review at 0:05 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 90378 · mention_pk 241438
Click to watch at 0:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- The setting and the work put into it are highly appreciated.
- The addition of ciphers and puzzles are enjoyable.
- The thematic elements and historical feel are well-executed.
- The case files add to the immersion.
- Option to skip ciphers if stuck.
Cons
- The new puzzle fragment system breaks the core experience for the reviewer.
- Lack of meaningful choices or consequences.
- The game feels more like reading a story than solving a mystery.
- Information gathered doesn't always align with what the game knows.
- Too much fluff text that doesn't contribute to solving the mystery.
- The story and characters lack depth for the reviewer.
- Too many names and places to remember can be a barrier if not interested in history.
- The game feels easier than its predecessor, Detective.
Thematic elements
- Investigating mysteries as a detective/investigator
- Europe in 1977, during a conflict between the East and West
Comparison games
- Detective
- Sherlock Holmes: Chronicles of Crime Mythos Tales
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ciphers and puzzles — New to this version, these add an extra layer of challenge to the gameplay.
- Companion app (Antares database) — An app is used to log information and access game elements, but it's not a major component compared to other games in the series.
- Lead cards — Players read lead cards to gather information and progress the investigation.
- Puzzle fragments — A new system where collected puzzle fragments determine what the game knows the players understand.
- scenario-based gameplay — The game is divided into four missions that form a campaign.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I want to sit down and I want to solve a crime. I want to solve a mystery. I want to be like I want When we play Detective I got like goosebumps when I understood like oh that might be that person going there and doing that. And that is what I want to do.
- The game knows what you know based on these puzzle fragments.
- For me, taking away those questions basically takes away the core concept of what I want from the game.
- I feel like nothing I do matter to the game.
- I expected something else.
- The changes of a system that worked perfectly fine as it is, I don't like that at all.
- If this game had like the questions and made me feel like I could solve something, I would love it.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zUE33Qi-WwY
Get into games Roundup at 57:58 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85246 · mention_pk 218089
Click to watch at 57:58 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight teamwork and thematic immersion
- well-structured scenario design that rewards cooperation
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- investigation, covert operations, and geopolitical intrigue
- Cold War espionage in Vienna and across Europe
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — players collaborate to investigate cases and uncover networked conspiracies
- cooperative play — players collaborate to investigate cases and uncover networked conspiracies
- Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game — mission-specific setups with evolving objectives and constraints
- scenario-based play — mission-specific setups with evolving objectives and constraints
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's just everyone's nice. Everyone's just one big happy family where you can talk to anyone, play games with anyone
- The art on that game is top top tier, the artwork is really something special
- I think there's going to be a lot of buzz around Time Troopers when it lands on GameFound in June
- If you wear a Shirts and Merch t‑shirt, you won't be naked
- The atmosphere at Aircon is just a really lovely thing in general
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video k5rABLKEiUM
The Dice Tower Other at 12:29 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 81546 · mention_pk 203188
Click to watch at 12:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Detective (series)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hens is a game I didn't like at all.
- Gobblet is a simple game in which you are to stacking pieces and trying to get four in a row, but bigger pieces cover up other pieces.
- Dice as resources to buy cards, kind of like a Dominion-style game. And it was fine. It just didn't have any kind of air of excitement to it.
- And it's a big, grandiose Euro-style game that I thought worked pretty well.
- The biggest problem with Echoes of Time is I think it's almost too short.
- It's a cool mechanism. This is the game that should have it.
- It's a very different feeling of Lost Cities. It's not as good as Lost Cities, but it's still pretty cool game.
- It's very Ameritrashy.
- It's a lot going on in this game.
- I think my favorite of those is Pixel Tactics 2.
- Thanks as always for joining me in my pile of mid games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XvDCLzspdk0
Get into games Event Coverage at 31:26 sentiment: negative
video_pk 81418 · mention_pk 202068
Click to watch at 31:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
none
Cons
- played once and sold it
- it's rubbish
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- And then you can challenge each other.
- But it is like I like the fact that the game does that that it's hard.
- And when we played it, I was like, "Oh, I get it now." Cuz it's so hilariously funny.
- Mashy Meeples had said something about um like aircon feels like home cuz you're just with people who want to be there, want to play games.
- It's just a nice experience.
- And I think sometimes, you know, when we're just at home playing games, you're like, "Yeah, I love games." But there's something really special about a convention and being with people and meeting up with people that you don't always
- the buzz and the buzz of people enjoying themselves and having a good time.
- And then we drove to McDonald's. We drove to McDonald's with a view.
- And then this one, this service station happens to have a the adult supertore must be the biggest in the land.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video e1KLLlAb3iI
watch it played Rules Teach at 0:13 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 64491 · mention_pk 157955
Click to watch at 0:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Cooperative, group decision-making
- Campaign structure with evolving story
- Web-assisted content and integrated clues
Cons
- Complex setup with many components
- Puzzles/paperwork can be heavy and potentially tedious
Thematic elements
- spies and deception
- Cold War era
- campaign-style with ongoing story across missions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- difficulty adjustment — Game includes ways to adjust difficulty.
- files and lead stack — Gained files and leads from envelopes; files used across missions; some lead to puzzle solving.
- final report and further actions — After mission end, players submit results and choose subsequent actions for the campaign.
- lead selection — Players examine a start set of leads and choose one to pursue; multiple leads exist.
- man in black tracking — Crossing off spaces in the 'man in black' section as exposure increases.
- Multi-Use Cards — Perform operations paying with tokens that are spent and then flipped to reveal effects.
- operational cards with costs — Perform operations paying with tokens that are spent and then flipped to reveal effects.
- puzzle skip option on website — If a puzzle is stuck, players can use the website to skip and get the answer.
- puzzles and codes — Code deciphering using password cards and cross-referencing numbers to reveal files.
- record-keeping (diary/map/calendar) — Campaign diary and maps used to track clues across missions.
- replay option with reset — Campaign can be reset to replay missions with different choices.
- Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game — After mission end, players submit results and choose subsequent actions for the campaign.
- Score-and-Reset — Campaign can be reset to replay missions with different choices.
- zone exposure management — Exposures from leads cross out spaces in a zone on the mission sheet.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Vienna Connection is part of the detective series of games
- you and your team are leading a special covert CIA operation to untangle a web of deception
- this will be a spoiler-free tutorial
- four different ways to gather information
- you won't be taking turns instead you decide as a group
- it's the cold war era a time of spies
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LdmwpKX3rUQ
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 25:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6306 · mention_pk 18634
Click to watch at 25:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- accessible entry point with deeper investigative feel
- brings a tighter, more affordable investigative package than some rivals
- sits well with detective-style fans who want a cooperative/co-opish vibe
Cons
- some players may find the reading and setup a bit heavy
- solo play is less polished than group play
Thematic elements
- spy/investigation across a city
- Cold War espionage in Vienna
- campaign-driven investigations with online/database integration
Comparison games
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- campaign-style storytelling — scenarios connect across the box, building a larger narrative
- exposure-based progression — players increase exposure as investigations unfold, unlocking paths and missions
- hand management / resource management — manage actions and resources to pursue missions and gather clues
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I love deck builders always have
- this game was top notch
- it's a pizza game to me
- it's basically like Tetris 99
- the exposure mechanic is brilliant
- Azul meets Patchwork with cat fluff
- you want to go through your deck as fast as you can to add in those new cards
- it's a pizza game to me, you bring in a pizza
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GWVbYkT88Xg
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 50:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4812 · mention_pk 14156
Click to watch at 50:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong thematic feel and tension
- engaging investigative pacing
Cons
- rule complexity can be intimidating for some players
Thematic elements
- investigation, undercover operations, puzzle solving
- Cold War espionage context
- historical thriller with detective flavor
Comparison games
- Pandemic (cooperative deduction feel)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — players work together to uncover a network
- time/decision pressure — mechanisms simulate tense investigative pacing
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the fact that people are getting educated in how the market works is just good for everyone
- it's a tile lane game
- co-op, 100% co-op
- everybody wins
- the memes have changed over the year
- you cannot rotate the tile you have to lay it down
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CSjUhUKJaeM
The Broken Meeple Discussion at 23:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 641 · mention_pk 1840
Click to watch at 23:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep detective narrative
- solo play option
- strong production value
Cons
- steep learning curve
- heavy rules complexity
Thematic elements
- investigation and spycraft
- Cold War espionage across European cities
- story-driven
Comparison games
- Imperial Settlers
- Neuroshima Hex
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- case-based progression — players progress through linked scenarios with evolving narrative
- cooperative deduction — players collaborate to solve cases using clue gathering and detective-style mechanics
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is look at the broken meeple watching live and streaming from my channel best wishes to you all
- Portal does a good job with story-driven board games
- 11 is a redone club stories
- the book of adventures just giving us more scenarios could be really cool
- the vienna connection is right now on the pre-order
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f4YJdZpHq4Q
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 1:07:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 549 · mention_pk 1660
Click to watch at 1:07:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Atmospheric spy theme
- Tight, puzzle-like co-op gameplay
Cons
- Complex rules
- Longer play time
Thematic elements
- case-solving and espionage-driven investigation
- Cold War espionage in Vienna
- cooperative with hidden roles and case progression
Comparison games
- Keyforge
- This War of Mine
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cooperative deduction — Players solve cases using clues and actions.
- Deduction — Players solve cases using clues and actions.
- Role-based actions — Each player has a unique role with special actions.
- Story-driven campaign — Multiple scenarios with evolving narrative.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the action selection... that was the best part of the game
- it's an amazing game; the art looks gorgeous on the table
- the chaos and intrigue make this game memorable
- this is engine building right
- behold the nightmare
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9