Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

To set up the game, place the game board in the center of the play area. Position the investigation team marker on the Headquarters location. Place the red day marker on the Day 1 space and the blue time marker on the 8 AM space of the time track. Each player selects one double-sided investigator tile, placing it blue side up in front of them; any unchosen investigator tiles are flipped to their consultant side and kept nearby. Collect all matching skill tokens from the chosen and unchosen tiles and place them in a general token pool. Locate Case I from the game box and place it above the game board without looking through its contents. Access the Antares database online using a smart device or computer, sign up for a free account (only one account is needed per group), and log in to select Case I. Finally, open the included Casebook to the introduction of Case I, read it aloud, and implement any special rules or setup changes mentioned.

The primary objective of Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game is for players to collaborate as a team of investigators to solve a complex criminal case. This involves gathering clues from various sources, including physical cards and an online database, making logical deductions, and ultimately submitting a final report to the Antares database. Players must manage their time and stress levels effectively, as each case has specific limits for both. The goal is not necessarily to uncover every single clue, but to efficiently collect and interpret enough information to accurately answer the final questions and achieve a winning score.

The game does not have individual player turns; instead, players work cooperatively as a team to decide and perform actions. These actions can include following leads, which might involve searching the Antares database for information (by typing in names, files, questions, or other keywords) or drawing numbered lead cards from the case deck. Some leads may require spending skill tokens or moving the investigation team marker to a new location, which advances the time marker. Players can also use unique abilities printed on their investigator tiles once per day, or write a report to gain authority tokens, both of which advance the time marker by one hour. The team must constantly discuss and strategize to make the most efficient use of their limited time and resources.

At the end of the game, after submitting the final report to the Antares database, players receive a score based on several factors. Points are awarded for correctly answering multiple-choice questions related to the current case and the overarching campaign plot. Additional points can be earned for correctly matching evidence with signatures collected in the database. Conversely, points are deducted for each stress token accumulated by the team throughout the investigation. The total score determines whether the team successfully solved the case, with a specific point threshold required for a win. It is important to note that a perfect score is rare, and sometimes admitting 'I don't know' to a question is better than guessing incorrectly, as wrong answers incur negative points.

The game concludes under two main conditions: either the team accumulates stress tokens equal to or exceeding the stress limit specified for the current case, or the investigation reaches its final day as indicated on the game board's day track. In both scenarios, the investigation ends immediately. Players must then proceed to the Antares database to submit their final report. This involves answering a series of multiple-choice questions based on the information gathered during the case. After submitting the report, the team receives an evaluation and a final score. If the team lost the case, they have the option to reset and replay it or close the case and move on to the next one in the campaign. Upon completing a case, an epilogue is provided, offering further narrative details.