Having loved this game as a child, and not having played for the 2 decades since, I was quite anxious for my 6 year old son to open this on Christmas morning. To my despair, it was 3 more days of him playing with all of his other toys before I could get him to play it with my wife and I, but now, its the only game he wants to play.
If you played the original, the game holds pretty true to what you played back in the 80's, the board is sold and sturdy, the tickets are made of thick cardboard and will hold up. The playing pieces are a little different, but the game play holds true with one notable difference, in the original version you always played all 5 detectives against Mr X, regardless of how many players there were. In this version of the rules, there are always 4 detectives (unless 6 are playing the game, the all 5 detectives are used). With less than 4 detectives, the difference is made up with "bobbies" I call them "helpers" for my son. The bobbies are free to move at will, w/o the need to use tickets. If its just a two player game, the one detective plays two pawns that can share tickets, and two bobbies that don't need tickets. On the surface this seems insignificant, but once you start playing you'll notice that it simplifies game play for the detectives not having to micro-manage each game piece to ensure you don't run out of tickets. You do play with 4, instead of 5, detectives, but that disadvantage is made up for the fact that the extra detectives can move freely w/o needing tickets.
If you haven't played the original, and that previous pargraph means nothing to you, then this is a really fun game. My wife, not being much of a strategy boardgame fan, initially commented, "this game is pointless, you like literally have no idea what you are doing, its just random guessing". That attitude was over about half way through as she got into it and became quite interested. You really do get a little bit of a rush of adrenelne playing as Mr X when you know you are about to get caught, but see an escape route, and a huge sense of relief if you can get to it. Likewise, there is equally as much enjoyment playing detective and knowing you've got Mr X trapped that is equally disappointing to you learn a few moves later he has escaped and made it far out of your reach.
The game is rated for ages 8 and up. My six year old does okay with it. Its pretty easy for him when he plays detective and you can help him along, but he does on occasion mess things up when he plays as Mr. X. Its been found on more than one occasion that he made an illegal move, usually by taking a taxi to a station that didn't have a taxi route, or taking a bus or or two stations too far. This is just a learning curve however, and I doubt he will have trouble much longer.
I've seen some comments mentioning the game wasn't in English. This version, that I'm reviewing, the board was printed entirely in English. The instruction manuals are printed in multi language with English being in the very back. There was one part of the English instructions that got cut off, it mentioned something along the lines of "At no time can" and then the next paragraph started. I was able to switch to the French instructions, find the part that was missing, and put it into Google translate, it just said that at no time no two detectives could occupy the same space on the same turn.
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From the manufacturer
Scotland Yard - Family Game
A covert game of cat and mouse set on the streets of London
Criminal mastermind Mister X has escaped Scotland Yard and it's up to you, Scotland Yard's famous detectives, to catch him! Use travel tickets chasing him by taxi, bus, and underground, around Picadilly Circus, along the River Thames, and through Paddington Station. Will you apprehend this dangerous criminal or will he disappear forever into the London fog?
Easy to learn, fast paced and intense! Every turn is exciting. Perfect for family game night!
- Contents:
- 1 Game Board
- 6 Playing Pieces
- 29 Start Tickets
- 130 Transportation Tickets
- 1 Travel Log for Mister X
- 1 Visor for Mister X
- Instruction Booklet
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SetupFirst decide who will play the role of Mister X! Mister X Receives: - 1 transparent playing piece The Mister X visor which will help conceal his gaze to avoid giving up any secrets: - 1 Travel Log - 1 Pencil (not included) - 1 Black Ticket - 1 Double-Move Ticket Each Detective Receives: - 1 Colored Playing Piece of his Choice - 1 Corresponding Ticket Board |
Gameplay13 rounds are played. In each round, Mister X first makes his move. Once Mister X has completed his turn, the detectives take their turns in any order. All detectives share the same goal: catching Mr. Mister X either by one of them finishing their move on the same station as Mister X or blocking all stations with detectives leaving no free station for Mister X to move to. Mister X disappears in regular intervals and is invisible for a round. Before his 3rd, 8th and 13th moves he removes his playing piece from the game board and secretly records his next destination he will travel to while invisible in his travel log. Once he becomes visible again he'll travel in plain sight until his next invisible move. |
End of GameThe detectives win the game if: - A detective finishes his move on the same station as Mister X. If Mister X happens to be invisible at that time, he has to show himself. - Mister X has no free stations the he can move to. All possible stations are blocked by detectives Mister X wins, if: He manages to travel across London for 13 rounds without being caught by the detectives. The round is only over once the detectives have also completed their moves. |
About Ravensburger
Ravensburger offers one of the most diverse and innovative collections of games you can find, all designed with the highest quality standards for content and materials.
Ravensburger games have been connecting generations for generations and are a great way to spend a rainy afternoon inside or family game night.
A family company since 1883, Ravensburger offers high-quality, age appropriate games, puzzles, arts and crafts and STEM based science kits that foster enjoyment, education and family togetherness. Ravensburger is dedicated to the philosophy that starting children off early by stimulating their minds and hands helps not only to develop fine motor, artistic and exploring skills but also fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Ravensburger Games – Innovative playing fun for all ages!
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Brigitte Schlegel
Brettspiel für Kinder
Reviewed in Germany on April 8, 2024Style: Scotland Yard Jr.Verified Purchase
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