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Game Info
Year
2021
Collection
Ratings
Expansions & Family
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Mechanic profile
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Vibe profile
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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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Vienna Connection - How To Play
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 13
This page: 13
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 2 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–13 of 13
Video mjF2tGTzEsM
Board Games UnLocked Review at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 115644 · mention_pk 328106
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Drastically different from 'Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game'
- Satisfying conclusion that feels like piecing together an overall story
- Mystery and detective work is a favorite genre
- Interesting new mechanic for tracking progress (exposure)
- Puzzles tracking across missions is liked
- Thematic writing makes you feel present
- Feels like pulling out a corkboard and connecting information
- Thematic operations are a cool tie-in and new element
- Decoder is a fun bit of theme that isn't difficult to unlock
- Not overly used decoder
- Puts you in the action, feeling like a spy
- Excellent story so far
- Good balance between story, direction, and mechanics
- Exposure mechanic is liked more than time, offering mitigation and open information
- Flexibility with open spaces in the white zone
Cons
- Does not feel concluded at the end of a mission, leading to questions
- Concern about forgetting details if missions are not played regularly
- Website bug caused frustration, preventing play initially
- Confusing release timing where pre-order copies were received before retail availability
- The decoder, while fun, was not as heavily used as expected
- If missions are not played consecutively, remembering details for connected missions might be difficult
Thematic elements
- Detective investigation
- Cold War
Comparison games
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
- Chronicles of Crime
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Decoder — A tool used for decoding, with an option to skip the cipher if needed.
- Detective investigation system — A system used by Portal Games, familiar to those who have played 'Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game'.
- Exposure tracking — Replaces the time tracking from 'Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game', offering a different way to manage game progression.
- Investigator Cards — A deck of cards representing investigators.
- operations — Up-front resources that provide extra information or abilities, tied into the theme.
- Puzzles — Puzzles with numbers and letter counts are part of the gameplay, and some can carry over between missions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- proudly say that it is pretty drastically different from from the detective modern crime board
- it seems like it's gonna build up too not a slow burn but like an overall story
- it wasn't satisfying to me the the conclusion because it doesn't feel like it's concluded
- portal does absolutely fantastic with detective and with this one they make it feel so thematic by having all the writing itself is just so descriptive
- it's like you feel like you're actually doing a case like this is one of those games that i could feel pulling out a cork board and putting like pictures and string and being like charlie day
- we're gonna get doc right i thought we were i thought we were gonna get um like hey a prompt hey read card 180
- it's just so it was just kind of a mishmash of i got the game couldn't play it then then they finally released the the cases and then there was a bug
- if you have a release date it have a [__] work when it releases
- I don't think we've ever came across that um in in any of the cases that we've done for a detective or even chronicles of crime like it's it's a good balance
- I thoroughly enjoyed it I actually really liked the exposure a lot more than the time
- Portal Games is killing it with with this theme
- nine out of ten for me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video lEwicLkvSOY
Board Games UnLocked Playthrough at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 115645 · mention_pk 328107
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging theme and setting
- Complex puzzle mechanics
- Intriguing narrative
Cons
- Technical issues with the web platform for puzzles
- Potentially confusing narrative with character name similarities (Werner vs. Vernon)
Thematic elements
- Espionage, Cold War, investigation of a murder
- Vienna, Austria, January 1977
Comparison games
- Spy vs. Spy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- clue gathering — Players find clues and fragments of information throughout the game which are used to solve puzzles.
- Deduction — Players must deduce information from clues and context to progress.
- Investigation — The gameplay revolves around investigating a murder and uncovering connections through various leads and actions.
- narrative progression — The story unfolds through mission objectives and found documents, guiding the players' actions.
- Puzzle solving — Players must input letters and numbers into a web-based system to solve puzzles, which are crucial for progressing the game.
- Resource Management — Players use 'tokens' or 'money' to perform actions or change zone colors, managing these resources is important.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- mission one cat you type in in oh yeah let me type in type it in cat
- we got the sad team guaranteed themselves the effort how do you spell guaranteed ga g-u-a d-a
- we're still not even sure if that's important because it's the numbers it's the numbers that matter
- i was like oh then we can spend this money to actually go observe kenwald the head of the the police remember him being mentioned
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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 iK74K4j4riQ
Actualol Top List at 17:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13411 · mention_pk 39296
Click to watch at 17:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
extremely positive
Pros
- Immersive storytelling
- Realistic historical context
- Collaborative investigation
- Extensive documentation
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- CIA spy tracking
- Cold War Europe
- Investigative
Comparison games
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Narrative Choice — Players solve case using documents and evidence
- Narrative investigation — Players solve case using documents and evidence
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- My favorite is just that it's my favorite
- Board game reviewers are teenage girls and not just because they get jealous of each other
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video TejYABMQfcU
The Broken Meeple Review at 0:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10100 · mention_pk 29742
Click to watch at 0:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Immersive Cold War setting
- Polished and streamlined deduction system
- Coherent narrative with branching endings
- High-quality physical components and thematic flavor
- Accessible compared to Detective's heavier complexity
Cons
- Not a revolutionary change to Detective – more of a refined variant
- Best played with 3 players; 4-5 players can be slow with limited action
- Some names and geography are challenging; requires careful note-taking
- Campaign is effectively a one-time experience; limited replayability
Thematic elements
- Cold War espionage and detective-style investigation
- Late 1970s Central/Eastern Europe during the Cold War (Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Budapest, West Germany)
- Campaign-based with four scenarios, interconnected narrative, branching endings
Comparison games
- Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Analog database puzzle integration — Puzzles and fragments unlock passwords or passwords unlock endings via a hangman-style interface.
- Branching endings and endings influence — Endings and story outcomes vary based on puzzles solved and passwords unlocked.
- Card-driven leads — Deck of cards provides leads and paths to follow; players choose which leads to pursue.
- Cipher puzzles / cipher-based clues — Envelopes contain cipher fragments; decipher to reveal passwords or next steps.
- Deduction — Players read files and transcripts; keep notes to connect clues.
- Information consolidation and note-taking — Players read files and transcripts; keep notes to connect clues.
- Physical dossier and paper components — Bundles of files, mug shots, maps, newspapers, and other docs as investigative material.
- Word Deciphering — Envelopes contain cipher fragments; decipher to reveal passwords or next steps.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Vienna Connection i would take this as kind of like a sideline to detective
- it's essentially like the same system
- this is essentially like a sideline to detective
- it's more immersive than the other detectives
- i would dare say this is more immersive
- it's not revolutionary change ... just different setting and polish
- getting a 9 out of 10 from me
- this is a solid game through and through
- this is definitely an easier campaign
- i can't replay the scenario again with other people
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 1–13 of 13