7.4
rating
Ludopedia
6.7
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy a quick, no-nonsense deduction game without much fuss, P.I. is for you! It's like a souped-up Clue, focused purely on logic.
Highlights
- Sharp and quick deduction
- Stimulating logical reasoning
- Dynamic gameplay
Keep in mind
- Little direct player interaction
- Theme can feel generic
- Luck can play a role
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
P.I. plunges you into the shoes of a private investigator in 1930s Warsaw, where crime never takes a holiday! Prepare for three intense rounds of pure deduction, where every clue matters and every misstep can be costly. The goal is straightforward: uncover who the culprit is, what crime was committed, and where it all happened, before your rivals do. Each mini-game begins with you secretly receiving the profile of the case the player to your left needs to solve. The board, featuring 14 interconnected locations, is the stage where the magic (or the crime) unfolds. Suspects, crimes, and locations are represented by tiles placed on the board, and a deck of evidence cards gradually reveals clues. On your turn, you have three options: place an investigator in a location to gather valuable information (the player to your right gives you hints about their case based on your chosen location), take an evidence card that might help you connect the dots, or risk it all and attempt to solve your case. Get it right and earn points; get it wrong and face penalties! With only five investigators per player, every move needs to be strategic. Whoever accumulates the most points after three rounds of mystery is the ultimate winner. P.I. is a fast-paced, no-nonsense game that demands sharp reasoning, perfect for those who enjoy solving enigmas without unnecessary fuss.
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
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
5
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Treefrog Games, Phalanx Games Polska
Designer
Martin Wallace
Artist
Steve Noon
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for P.I.?
A game of P.I. typically lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and how quickly they solve the cases.
How many players can participate?
P.I. is designed for 2 to 5 players. It plays well at all counts, though the dynamic can shift slightly with more or fewer people.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
No, P.I. is considered a light to medium-weight game (2.22/5 complexity on BGG). The rules are straightforward, and the focus is on deduction.
Do I need to be able to read to play?
There is very little text on the cards and components, making it easily memorizable or playable with assistance. Communication is minimal.
What type of player is P.I. best suited for?
It's ideal for those who enjoy mystery and deduction games that emphasize logic and reasoning, and prefer faster-paced, focused gameplay.
Does the board change each game?
Yes! P.I.'s board is modular, meaning the arrangement of locations changes with each playthrough, ensuring more variety and replayability.
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