One victim; One Wallet; One "killer" case to crack


Table of Contents

Location: Train to London

Date Played: Sept 2023

Team size: 1; we recommend 1 - 2

Duration: 1.5 hours

Price: ~£20 on Amazon

Premise

An unidentified body is discovered in a dark Chicago alley. The only evidence at the crime scene is the victim’s wallet …

As the lead investigator, you’ll need to use the items inside the wallet to unlock clues on the Online Detective Portal and access further evidence – statements, photos, emails, social feeds, and more. Use both the physical and online evidence to identify the victim, discover the motive, and ultimately, reveal the killer.

The narrative shines as the game's strongest feature, weaving a masterfully crafted and engaging story. Delving into the wallet and exploring various online platforms grants a deeper understanding of the victim's life, making the journey enjoyable.

Components

While the components serve their purpose, they are predominantly paper-based, including the wallet and even the credit card. This paper-centric approach slightly diminishes the immersive potential of the game.

Gameplay

Much like other murder mystery games, your task is to deduce the identity of the killer based on the provided evidence and clues. Accompanying the physical wallet is a website that facilitates the receipt of digital documents and submission of answers. The website also offers hints and solutions, albeit with a drawback—it provides solutions without explaining the steps leading to them. Several other websites are also essential, which you'll uncover through physical or digital evidence.

One drawback of the gameplay is its heavy reliance on the website. After answering initial questions, most physical components, including the wallet, become obsolete, giving the game a more digital feel.

Puzzles/Thoughts

➕Engaging story and unique concept. Exploring the victim's wallet for clues offer excitement and enjoyment throughout the game.

➖Components were alright. The components are serviceable, with the paper-based wallet offering a novel touch. Additionally, everything is resettable, ensuring that nothing is permanently damaged.

➖Paper-based components. While cost-effective, it reduces the overall immersion, making the detective work feel less authentic.

✖️Hint and solution system leaves room for improvement. The hints did not help me in reaching the solution. The solution, did not help me in understanding how to reach it.

✖️Wallet is a gimmick. The wallet, although intriguing as a concept, ends up feeling like a gimmick. The majority of evidence resides on the website, rendering the physical wallet and its contents underutilized.

✖️Unsatisfying conclusion. The identity of the murderer can be deduced quite early in the game.

Verdict

While the concept of exploring a physical wallet is intriguing, the execution falls short due to a heavy reliance on digital elements. I did not have an enjoyable experience and do not recommend the game.

Rating: 2/5

★★✩✩✩