Acting as the world’s most skilled, and most famous, detective, it’s time for you, and possibly your very own John Watson, to take a deep dive into Sherlock Holmes’ cases. Will you be able to solve the mystery? Or will you succumb to the wounds the culprits inflict on you…?

What Is It?

Solo / Cooperative – Players can play on their own or as a team

Card Management – Players draw 4 cards per turn and must play 2 to the crime scene (where pairs activate) and 2 to the office (where players are trying to create certain sets, depending on the case)

Pattern Building / Set Collection – Players need to alternate investigation and threat cards when building sets in the office, and will need to use their abilities to move cards around to get things arranged the way they need it

Who Is It For?

  • 1 to 2 Players – Personally, I prefer it solo, but it works okay at 2. It is nice to have different abilities available for each player. But I just prefer to make all the choices of how to use the cards myself
  • Ages 12 & Up / Light-Weight Gamers – It’s quick play and has a small rule set. It’s a good introductory solo game, or just a light choice for fans of solo
  • Fans of a Sherlock Holmes theme
  • Fans of solitaire who want a new twist

PROS

  • Aesthetics – Nice art
  • Components – Good quality cards
  • Box – Love the finger grips on the side to easily open the lid!
  • Plays quickly and smoothly
  • I like the option for 2 players since Sherlock and Watson have different abilities
  • 2 different cases available to vary gameplay a bit
  • Some helpful rules to mitigate luck of the draw (i.e. may discard if you draw 3 of the same number or letter)

CONS

  • Even with the rules for discarding for certain draws, you can get unlucky at times with bad draws depending on how the play area looks at the time and just take a bunch of wounds in a row
  • I wish there were a few more cases included for additional variability

Final Thoughts

I’m actually a big fan of solitaire, and honestly thought this was a fun twist! You have to alternate card types in sets, like solitaire, but you also really have to utilize your abilities by creating pairs in order to succeed.

It plays quickly and smoothly, and offers decent variability between the 2 characters and the 2 cases (though I wouldn’t mind seeing more cases in the future!). It’s a cool little card game if you’re a solo fan!

Additional Information:
My Final Rating – 7/10

Designer – Peter Scholtz (I)
Artist – Peter Scholtz (I)
Publisher – Wise Wizard Games
MSRP – $9.95
Website

*I was provided a copy of this game to do this review*

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