Skip to main content
Watson & Holmes box art

Watson & Holmes

Game ID: GID0384313
Game Info
Year
2015
Collection
Ratings
Creator Score
Mechanic profile
Not enough video data yet
Vibe profile
Not enough video data yet
Description

Watson & Holmes is a game of deduction set within the magnificent works of Arthur Conan Doyle. Two to seven aspiring detectives step into the shoes of Doctor Watson, working alongside the detective Sherlock Holmes to try to solve a series of so far unpublished cases directly extracted from Doctor John H. Watson's diaries. Those who accept the challenge relive the adventures of the crime-solving duo, visiting each of the locations where the inquiries were made. Following the trail, each clue brings players closer to solving the case.

The objective of the game is to immerse yourself in the Victorian world depicted in each story. Visit the right places, decipher the clues, and above all find the path that leads you to solve the mystery before anybody else. Victory goes to the player who accurately uses the deductive reasoning so famously and ingeniously implemented by the hero of 221B Baker Street.

The game consists of a series of separate cases, each of which raises a number of questions that each player tries to solve before anyone else. To do this, once the case and the questions have been read aloud, players proceed to visit the locations where the clues are located. Each location cannot be accessed by more than one player at any one time, so if two or more players want to go to the same place, the player who travels there the fastest (i.e., he who uses the largest number of Carriage Tokens) gets the clue, forcing the others to go to a different location. Once every player has a destination, they proceed to read in secret the clue that was discovered at that location. They can discreetly take any notes they deem appropriate. Once this is done, the cards are returned to their place so that others can read them in later turns.

This procedure is repeated during each turn until one player believes he has found the solutions to the case; at that time, he must go to 221B Baker Street to check if his answers are correct. If all the answers are correct, the player wins; if they are wrong, he will have lost and retires from the game, and the game continues.

Each detective will also have the invaluable assistance of a number of Sherlock Holmes' allies, above all, the good Dr Watson and of course of the detective himself.

Description

Watson & Holmes is a game of deduction set within the magnificent works of Arthur Conan Doyle. Two to seven aspiring detectives step into the shoes of Doctor Watson, working alongside the detective Sherlock Holmes to try to solve a series of so far unpublished cases directly extracted from Doctor John H. Watson's diaries. Those who accept the challenge relive the adventures of the crime-solving duo, visiting each of the locations where the inquiries were made. Following the trail, each clue brings players closer to solving the case.

The objective of the game is to immerse yourself in the Victorian world depicted in each story. Visit the right places, decipher the clues, and above all find the path that leads you to solve the mystery before anybody else. Victory goes to the player who accurately uses the deductive reasoning so famously and ingeniously implemented by the hero of 221B Baker Street.

The game consists of a series of separate cases, each of which raises a number of questions that each player tries to solve before anyone else. To do this, once the case and the questions have been read aloud, players proceed to visit the locations where the clues are located. Each location cannot be accessed by more than one player at any one time, so if two or more players want to go to the same place, the player who travels there the fastest (i.e., he who uses the largest number of Carriage Tokens) gets the clue, forcing the others to go to a different location. Once every player has a destination, they proceed to read in secret the clue that was discovered at that location. They can discreetly take any notes they deem appropriate. Once this is done, the cards are returned to their place so that others can read them in later turns.

This procedure is repeated during each turn until one player believes he has found the solutions to the case; at that time, he must go to 221B Baker Street to check if his answers are correct. If all the answers are correct, the player wins; if they are wrong, he will have lost and retires from the game, and the game continues.

Each detective will also have the invaluable assistance of a number of Sherlock Holmes' allies, above all, the good Dr Watson and of course of the detective himself.

Ask a Rules Question
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 6
This page: 6
Sentiment: pos 3 · mix 2 · neu 0 · neg 1
Mentions per page
Showing 1–6 of 6
Video 6BEtghZn6iU Top List at 33:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 134292 · mention_pk 383887
Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 33:41 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Clever design
  • Unique competitive deduction experience
Cons
  • Very hard to find a consistent group to play with
  • Cases increase in difficulty, making it hard to jump in
  • Requires a lot of reading
Thematic elements
  • murder mystery
  • reading-heavy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — competitive deduction murder mystery
  • Storytelling — involves a lot of reading with a bunch of bespoke cases
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's such a harsh game and I love it for how harsh it is
  • it's just a really really clever design
  • when you're able to sus out your opponent's word are just some of the most like satisfying moments
  • the Base werewords box art is atrocious
  • elegant fighty games you can't really get much better
  • it's almost like a good game to just impress people that board games aren't what you thought they were
  • aspirational and that is how I think about Eclipse second da for the Galaxy
  • this is my Twilight Imperium this is the big space game that I want to be playing a lot more than I am
  • I adore Eclipse as much as it is a hard game to play it's just encapsulating so much of what I love about games thematically s of space 4X games it like feels like stuff like M of Zion and ascendency and stuff like that that I grew up playing on on on the computer it just feels like those games in a board game
  • I think it's just really really smart really really good game
  • I do think the uprising addition for lack of a better word is the definitive way to play
  • I could be wrong again I don't know because they've made it as confusing as possibly can that I will say I won't defend like that's it's an obnoxious way to like sell your game personally
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video NxOAzOu32g4 Board Game Sanctuary Discussion at 3:37 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 109950 · mention_pk 316542
Board Game Sanctuary - Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:37 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Plays in a much shorter amount of time
  • Immerses you in the same Sherlock Holmes themed experience
  • Well-written and well-constructed cases
Cons
  • Narrative takes a back seat
  • Questions can feel specific and off-putting if lines of inquiry aren't followed
  • Risk of elimination if answers are wrong
Thematic elements
  • Competitive crime solving adventure
  • Victorian London
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Control — Only "one investigators allowed at any location at a particular time".
  • bidding/auction — Players must "outbid the first plane in order to visit those places" by using carriage tokens.
  • Card Drafting — Different cards provide players with "different details for example one card might be the list of suspects and the list of items whereas another card might give you a particularly quiver that helps you to narrow down those particular suspects".
  • Competitive play — Described as a "competitively driven crime solving adventure board game".
  • Deduction — Players "cipher clues and try and be the first investigator to solve a mystery".
  • Role-playing — An eliminated player "adopts the role of Sherlock Holmes providing the other players with certain clues to the final solution".
  • Set Collection — Players try to "secure the most vital information first".
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Sherlock Holmes consulting detective is one of the formatic and evocative experiences I have ever had with a boardgame.
  • The best way to play this game is to completely throw most the rules out of the window and just literally explore every lead every avenue that you plays wish to before trying to answer the questions.
  • The evocative and deep discussion that players have as they try to solve the unfolding mystery that makes this both challenging and rewarding.
  • If you're planning to play on your own or with a partner I would highly recommend Sherlock Holmes consulting detective you definitely get lost in the world of Arthur Conan Doyle's writing for many hours.
  • If you're planning to have a few guests over I will definitely recommend Watson and Holmes it plays in a much shorter amount of time but it immerses you in the same shell home themed experience.
  • For which boarding I think is better I would definitely have to say that Sherlock Holmes consulting detective is the stronger board game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 90RRiij41j4 Board Gaming Ramblings Discussion at 3:36 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 82778 · mention_pk 207953
Board Gaming Ramblings - Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Engaging deduction theme with familiar detective vibe
  • Varied locations and clue distribution create interesting decisions
Cons
  • Not universally loved for its competitive twist on cooperation
  • Can be dependent on player language and clue interpretation
Thematic elements
  • Mystery investigation and clue synthesis
  • Deduction in a detective setting; competitive twist on a classic deduction format
  • Story-driven investigative play with variable scenarios
Comparison games
  • The Initiative
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • asymmetric information — Different players have different viewpoints or objectives that affect deductions.
  • Asymmetric Teams — Different players have different viewpoints or objectives that affect deductions.
  • competitive deduction — Players gather clues and deduce outcomes in a competitive setup.
  • Deduction — Players gather clues and deduce outcomes in a competitive setup.
  • location-based exploration — Players visit locations and piece together what happened.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It is traveling to the Netherlands and playing some of the best escape rooms in the world.
  • the quality of escape rooms are just very high.
  • We played 22 escape rooms.
  • You can do any puzzle at any time you want.
  • It's a deck of cards with puzzles and a cool little story to go with it.
  • It has a great hint system.
  • full replayable
  • language based things.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zCR2hLYSiUM Board Gaming Ramblings Other at 13:52 sentiment: negative
video_pk 81801 · mention_pk 204442
Board Gaming Ramblings - Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 13:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
none
Cons
  • Fell flat for us
  • Not as good as other deduction games
Thematic elements
Comparison games
  • Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
  • The Search for Planet X
  • Cryptic
  • Awkward Guests
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — it's deduction.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's a double keep. This one was really fun.
  • Very quick game. Highly recommend this one. A small filler game that is really really good.
  • It was meh.
  • ultimately, I I found it just like I have I have better games that I'm more excited to play. That's the bottom line.
  • It's a fine game. It's another one of those where I played and I like that was a fun. Never need to do that again.
  • But it ended up feeling very like meaningful for in tactical when you started playing and just like oh, but I saw this opportunity.
  • This was not up to those No. I mean, I know some people really liked it, but for us it just fell flat.
  • It is long.
  • But for me, it ends up not being a keeper. Oh yeah, for me, too.
  • This is a game about leading an expedition. Through Ice and Snow. Yes. And you I would say this is a painfully thematic game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Qw3uT_WthFk No Rolls Barred Top List at 1:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7872 · mention_pk 23211
No Rolls Barred - Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:41 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • race against the clock adds adrenaline
  • auction/bidding adds strategic tension
  • interactive information denial and access feels clever
Cons
  • can become punishing if information access is blocked too aggressively
Thematic elements
  • race to solve a case more quickly than opponents
  • Victorian crime world featuring Watson and Holmes
  • procedural, competitive deduction
Comparison games
  • Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Auction / Bidding — tokens bid to visit certain cards and can block others from accessing information
  • bidding and blocking tokens — tokens bid to visit certain cards and can block others from accessing information
  • grid of case facets — cards represent different aspects of the crime scene; players read and note them
  • turn-based information access — each turn all players move to a card place and extract information
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is the collection starter and here are the top 10 games like cludo but better
  • it's brilliant
  • the perfect next step
  • production-wise it feels like a million bucks
  • it's quiet tense and thinky
  • a tense beautiful little puzzle gameplay stuffed with side eye pirate paranoia
  • you've got this map in front of you which can be broken up and arranged in many different ways depending on the scenario you're playing
  • it's an awesome film about language the nature of communication
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video TSRtE_pyHb0 cardboardrhino Review at 0:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 901 · mention_pk 2576
cardboardrhino - Watson & Holmes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Tension and immersion are heightened by the unknown proximity of other players to the solution
  • Elegant, well-made design that respects player attention and pace
  • No speaking rule keeps the session focused and streamlined
  • Exclusive-location mechanism creates clear, strategic choices
  • Diary-based clues and notes give a thematic touch without overwhelming reading
Cons
  • Pacing can be slow for some groups or players who prefer high-action experiences
  • Requires careful note-taking and diary management, which may feel fiddly to some
  • Relies on players appreciating deduction mechanics over opaque common knowledge
Thematic elements
  • Detective work, deduction, diary-based case files
  • Victorian London / Victorian mystery setting
  • case diaries and diary-driven clues
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — The case read-aloud sequence guides clue discovery and question framing for solving the mystery.
  • diary-driven discovery — The case read-aloud sequence guides clue discovery and question framing for solving the mystery.
  • final deduction phase — After gathering clues, players approach Watson and Holmes with a conclusion; correctness determines winning.
  • Limited Communication — Players cannot speak during the game, heightening tension and focus on non-verbal cues and timing.
  • location-based access control — Each location cannot be accessed by more than one player at a time, creating strategic contention for clues.
  • restricted communication — Players cannot speak during the game, heightening tension and focus on non-verbal cues and timing.
  • secret information / hidden clues — Clues are read privately and players may take notes, adding an element of concealed progress.
  • Token economy — Courage tokens are spent to hasten travel to destinations, pressuring others to seek different clues.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Watson and Holmes is a game of deduction in which two to seven aspiring detectives step into the shoes of dr. Watson trying to solve a series of so far unpublished cases directly from his diary working alongside the detective Sherlock Holmes
  • one thing that makes the gameplay really interesting and intense is that you have no idea how close your friends are to the solution
  • you cannot speak during the game
  • builds up the tension and allows you to really experience the mystery
  • Watson and Holmes is very well made with attention to detail and it does not tire you with loads of stuff you need to read like some other similar games do
  • gather your friends and give it a try
  • it's definitely something you want to talk about after the game is over and share
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Top
Showing 1–6 of 6