Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you love Sherlock Holmes mysteries and quick 20‑minute games, this title will hook you.
Highlights
- Engaging narrative
- Well‑mixed mechanics
- Fast replayability
- Strong theme
- Minimal components
Keep in mind
- Short time may not suit deep strategists
- Simple rules can feel repetitive
- Only two players
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft is a two‑player game that takes you back to London in 1895, when a bomb explodes in the Houses of Parliament. The plot pits the cerebral brother Mycroft, who thinks he can solve the case from the comfort of the Diogenes Club, against his younger brother Sherlock, hired by the victim’s parents to prove his innocence. The game lasts seven days of investigation, and each day a new cast of characters from Conan Doyle’s novels appears on the board. Each player starts with three action tokens that can be moved from one character to another, but you cannot place two tokens on the same character at the same time. When a token lands on a character, you may use that character’s special ability to acquire evidence cards or investigation tokens. The order in which characters appear is random, so you never know if a particular character will show up on day 1 or on the last day, giving each game a unique feel.
The design blends several mechanics: you manage the hand of evidence cards you keep, draft cards from a shared pool (open drafting), collect sets of related clues, and place workers on locations to perform actions. The board is small, but the interaction is rich; you must decide whether to chase a clue early or hold off for a stronger set later. Because the game is only 20‑30 minutes, it’s ideal for a quick session after dinner or for a rainy afternoon. The theme is strong for fans of Sherlock Holmes and detective fiction, and the card‑based nature keeps the components minimal—just a deck, tokens, and a board. Replayability comes from the shuffled order of characters and the variable card draws, so no two investigations feel the same.
This game is a solid pick for players who enjoy short, narrative‑driven encounters. It’s especially appealing to those who love the Holmes universe and want a game that balances strategy with a mystery storyline. If you’re looking for a quick, two‑player experience that still offers depth, Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft should fit nicely into your collection.
The design blends several mechanics: you manage the hand of evidence cards you keep, draft cards from a shared pool (open drafting), collect sets of related clues, and place workers on locations to perform actions. The board is small, but the interaction is rich; you must decide whether to chase a clue early or hold off for a stronger set later. Because the game is only 20‑30 minutes, it’s ideal for a quick session after dinner or for a rainy afternoon. The theme is strong for fans of Sherlock Holmes and detective fiction, and the card‑based nature keeps the components minimal—just a deck, tokens, and a board. Replayability comes from the shuffled order of characters and the variable card draws, so no two investigations feel the same.
This game is a solid pick for players who enjoy short, narrative‑driven encounters. It’s especially appealing to those who love the Holmes universe and want a game that balances strategy with a mystery storyline. If you’re looking for a quick, two‑player experience that still offers depth, Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft should fit nicely into your collection.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Devir, GaGa Games, Ideal Board Games, IELLO, Igroljub, KOSMOS, Rebel Sp. z o.o., White Goblin Games, The Wood Games
Designer
Diego Ibáñez
Artist
Pedro Soto
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
The game is designed for exactly two players.
What is the average playtime?
Between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the players’ pace.
What is the complexity level?
Medium; the rules are easy to learn, but strategic decisions need focus.
What components are included?
A board, action tokens, evidence cards (deck), and investigation tokens.
Who is this game for?
Fans of Sherlock Holmes, card‑game lovers, and anyone seeking quick, narrative encounters.
How many investigation days are played?
Seven turns represent seven days of investigation.
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