7.7
rating
Ludopedia
6.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
A respectful crossover for mystery and cosmic horror lovers with intense tension!
Highlights
- Constant sense of paranoia
- Top-tier artwork
- Brilliant thematic fusion
- Solid influence mechanics
Keep in mind
- Requires careful attention
- Moderate language dependency
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
Imagine if Sherlock Holmes had to deal with cosmic gods and Lovecraftian monsters in the heart of Victorian London. Welcome to 1882, where the 'Old Ones' have ruled Earth for centuries and humanity lives in their shadow. But not everyone accepts this rule quietly. On one side, we have the Restorationists, revolutionaries fighting for freedom; on the other, the forces loyal to the monstrous beings. With the invention of dynamite, the balance of power has shifted, and a lone assassin might just hold the key to toppling a god.
In A Study in Emerald, you dive into a underworld of paranoia where no one is truly who they seem. Agents, anarchists, and informants move through the shadows in a war of influence and secrets. The game is a brilliant fusion of Neil Gaiman's short story with elements of real 19th-century history. This second edition is much more polished, featuring stunning artwork by Ian O'Toole and streamlined rules compared to the first version. The core experience is about maintaining that constant tension of 'who is the traitor?' while managing your hand, fighting for area control, and navigating conspiracies. It is a team-based game, but with hidden roles that can flip the table in an instant. If you enjoy mystery, investigation, and a touch of cosmic horror, get ready to distrust even your own shadow!
In A Study in Emerald, you dive into a underworld of paranoia where no one is truly who they seem. Agents, anarchists, and informants move through the shadows in a war of influence and secrets. The game is a brilliant fusion of Neil Gaiman's short story with elements of real 19th-century history. This second edition is much more polished, featuring stunning artwork by Ian O'Toole and streamlined rules compared to the first version. The core experience is about maintaining that constant tension of 'who is the traitor?' while managing your hand, fighting for area control, and navigating conspiracies. It is a team-based game, but with hidden roles that can flip the table in an instant. If you enjoy mystery, investigation, and a touch of cosmic horror, get ready to distrust even your own shadow!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
OK
3
REC
4
BEST
5
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Treefrog Games, Arclight Games, Asterion Press, Ediciones MasQueOca, Grey Fox Games, PHALANX, Schwerkraft-Verlag
Designer
Martin Wallace
Artist
Ian O'Toole
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game hard to learn?
The second edition fixed many issues from the first, making rules much more accessible, though the mystery requires focus.
How long does a game last?
Expect around 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the intensity of negotiations and player count.
How many players can play?
It supports 2 to 5 players, but the paranoia and hidden role experience truly shines with 4 or 5.
Do I need to read the original stories to understand?
It's not mandatory, but if you know Neil Gaiman or Lovecraft, the immersion will be much deeper!
Are the components high quality?
Yes, the artwork is a major highlight, with beautiful illustrations that enhance the Victorian horror atmosphere.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme