Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game – Season One

Portal Games, Arclight Games, GaGa Games · Board game · 2020
1–5 · best 2 Solo 90–120 min Weight 2.0/5
7.4 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 16.99
7.4 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Perfect for those who want to feel like a real detective without spending 10 hours on a single case. The variety of settings keeps the game fresh.

Highlights
  • Dynamic standalone cases
  • Excellent narrative immersion
  • Accessible rules for beginners
  • Great solo experience
Keep in mind
  • Heavy reliance on reading
  • Requires app/website use
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

Ever thought about swapping movie night for a criminal investigation night? In Detective: Season One, you and your friends (or just you, if you prefer the lone wolf style) take on the role of detectives searching for the truth. Unlike other mystery games that can be overly dense, this 'season' was designed to be more accessible, with simplified rules that won't scare people off but still maintain the deep immersion the Detective line is famous for.

The game is divided into three standalone cases, meaning you can play each one on different nights without worrying about forgetting the details. Each case lasts about 90 minutes and offers a completely different vibe. First, we have 'Blood, Ink, and Tears', a treat for Agatha Christie fans: an old mansion in Great Britain, family secrets, and a mysterious death. Then, things heat up in 'Solid Alibi', where the action takes place in an Italian district dominated by gangs, filled with tension, betrayals, and the fundamental question: who can you actually trust?

To wrap up the season, 'Natural Causes' takes us to the United States, specifically to a university campus. The death of a professor in his biology lab seems natural at first glance, but as every good detective knows, appearances are deceiving. Was it really natural causes, or is there someone with a very dark motive behind it all?

Get your notepad and logical reasoning ready, as you'll need to connect clues and analyze evidence to close the cases. It's a cooperative experience where communication is key. If you love the feeling of actually solving a crime as the story unfolds, this game is the right choice. Just remember that, since it's a narrative-driven game, reading and text interpretation are your primary tools of the trade!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 BEST
2 BEST
3 REC
4 OK
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Digital Hybrid – App/Website Required Game: Detective – A Modern Crime Board Game (Portal Games) Misc: LongPack Games Theme: Mystery / Crime
Publisher Portal Games, Arclight Games, GaGa Games, IELLO, Korea Boardgames, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele, Pendragon Game Studio, Reflexshop
Designer Ignacy Trzewiczek, Merry Trzewiczek, Weronika Spyra
Artist Ewa Kostorz, Maciej Janik, Maja Budner, Mateusz Bielski, Rafał Szyma, Tomasz Jedruszek

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Do I need internet to play?
Yes, the game is hybrid and requires access to the website/app to consult the database and progress in the investigation.
Can I play solo?
Absolutely! The game works great in solo mode for those who enjoy solving mysteries at their own pace.
How long does each case take?
Each of the three cases takes an average of 90 to 120 minutes to solve.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! This 'Season One' version has much simpler rules than previous games in the line, making it ideal for families and newcomers.
Can I play the cases in any order?
Yes, the three cases are standalone, so you can choose which mystery you want to solve first.
Is the game complex?
The weight is moderate. The complexity isn't in the rules, but in the deduction and the ability to connect the clues.

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