Discover the Thrilling World of Mystery Express Game

Step into the captivating realm of Mystery Express, a thrilling game that will immerse you in an exciting detective adventure. Prepare yourself for a unique and exhilarating experience as you solve the mysteries hidden within.

Right from the start, Mystery Express will grab hold of your attention and keep you engaged throughout. With its cleverly crafted storyline, challenging puzzles, and intriguing characters, this game offers an immersive and unforgettable gameplay experience.

So, how does Mystery Express work? Let me guide you through the game rules:

The Objective

The goal of Mystery Express is to solve the central mystery by gathering clues, examining evidence, and piecing together the puzzle. Use your keen detective skills to uncover the truth and unravel the secrets within.

The Game Setup

To begin, set up the game board, which features a detailed map of a luxurious train. Each player assumes the role of a detective, represented by a unique game piece. Prepare the clue cards, evidence tokens, and the character cards for reference.

Gameplay

During each turn, I will take you through four distinct phases:

1. Travel Phase: Move your game piece along the train tracks, exploring different locations, and revealing clue cards.
2. Search Phase: Once at a location, you may choose to search for evidence by drawing an evidence token. These tokens may provide valuable information to aid your investigation.
3. Question Phase: Interact with the various characters onboard the train by using the character cards. Ask them questions to gather additional insights and narrow down the possible suspects.
4. Destination Phase: After completing the above phases, you will arrive at a destination. Share your information with the other players and speculate on the identity of the culprit.

Gathering Clues

Throughout the game, you will gather clues in the form of cards, which will provide you with vital information. Pay close attention to these clues as they may hold the key to solving the mystery.

Solving the Mystery

Using the clues you have collected, put your detective skills to the test and deduce the identity of the culprit. Share your findings during the Destination Phase and discuss with the other players. Once all suspicions are voiced, it’s time to reveal the truth and see who has cracked the case!

Mystery Express is an electrifying game that will challenge your detective abilities and keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure where every choice and clue matters. Are you up for the challenge?

• There are many components included in the Mystery Express board game, such as a board map, crime cards, player character figures, and more.

How to Set Up the Game

Let’s get started with the game of Mystery Express. Here’s what you need to do:

• First, place the Mystery Express board map in the center of the table
• Next, choose a character and take its corresponding figure, Ticket wallet 1, and character token of matching color. You should also grab a deduction sheet from the notepad and place it inside your Ticket wallet. This way, you can keep your deductions hidden from the other players. Place your character figure in the train car of your choice 2 and place the character token in front of you 3. This token will help identify you and your discard pile during the game.
• Lastly, don’t forget to grab 1 blank Telegram from the Telegram notepad. You’ll need it to wire your suspicions from Budapest later on in the game 4.

Now, let’s begin by carefully organizing the cards for the game. First, we need to shuffle each set of Crime cards separately. This will give us a deck of Modus Operandi cards, a deck of Suspect cards, a deck of Motive cards, a deck of Location cards, and a deck of Time cards.

Next, we will take one card from each deck without looking at them. These cards will be placed face down under the Mystery Express board map 5. These five cards, one from each category, will determine the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the murder that has just taken place.

After that, we will place the deck of Time cards face down next to the board map 6. This deck will be used throughout the game to keep track of time and events.

Now comes the important part. We need to shuffle the remaining four decks (Modus Operandi, Suspect, Motive, and Location) together into a single deck. Make sure to thoroughly shuffle them to mix everything up.

Once the deck is properly shuffled, we will deal seven cards to each player. Remember, the cards should be dealt face down, one at a time. The players should not pay attention to the back colors of the cards, as this will determine the type of cards they receive.

And that’s it! Now we are ready to start playing the game. By following these steps, we have set up the game board and distributed the cards. Get ready for an exciting mystery-solving adventure!

Now you can take a sneak peek at your cards without showing them to anyone. If you have two Crime cards that are exactly the same, you can cross out that Crime element on your sheet. But remember to be sneaky about it!

Put the rest of the Crime cards face down on their special spots on the Mystery Express board map. The number of cards will depend on how many people are playing, and the spots are labeled for the Conductor, 1st passengers, and 2nd passengers. The Conductor always gets 3 cards, while the passengers get 2 or 3 depending on how many players there are.

The adventure of the Mystery Express commences in the enchanting city of Paris. Now it’s time to set the stage for the journey. First, place the little train in Paris, where it all begins. This is where the thrill begins to unfold.

Next, let’s introduce some mystery into the mix. Shuffle the six Conductor tokens and place them face down on each of the six Stations that the Mystery Express will visit during its expedition. These tokens hold the secrets of each stop along the way. It’s time to embark on the adventure!

Now, let the intrigue unfold. Reveal the first token, which shows the starting point in Paris. Based on this token, place the Conductor in the corresponding train car. This is where the journey truly commences, and the plot thickens.

But wait, there’s more! There are two Passenger tokens that need to be accounted for. These tokens represent the passengers who will join the expedition from the cities of Strasbourg and Wien. Make sure to place these tokens in their respective cities to ensure they are ready for their adventure.

Now, who gets to kick off this exciting journey? The player who has most recently boarded a real train will have the honor of being the first player. To distinguish themselves, they will take hold of the miniature whistle. From here on, the game will unfold in a clockwise fashion, with each player taking their turn.

At the end of each turn, the player who played last during that turn will receive the esteemed 1st Player miniature whistle. This signifies that they will be the one to start the new turn. It’s a symbol of both responsibility and anticipation.

And so, the Mystery Express adventure begins. Make sure to pay close attention to the instructions and immerse yourself in the excitement. As the journey unfolds, remember that every turn brings new surprises and challenges. Will you be able to solve the mystery? The answer lies ahead, waiting to be discovered.

Game Objective

Hey there! So here’s the deal. In this game, we’re all trying to figure out who committed the crime. The goal is to solve all 5 elements of the crime correctly. Pretty cool, right?

Now, there’s a twist. Sometimes, even after all our detective work, we might not be able to crack the case before the train gets to Istanbul. But don’t worry, there’s still a chance to win!

If nobody solves the crime before we reach Istanbul, the player who identified the most Crime elements correctly on their deduction sheet becomes the winner. So keep at it and don’t give up!

Oh, and here’s something interesting. If more than one player has the same number of correct answers, we’ll look at the telegrams you sent from Budapest to break the tie. Talk about suspense!

I’m about to embark on a thrilling journey on the Mystery Express, departing from Budapest. Some fellow players have already shared their initial suspicions with me.

As the train makes its way from Paris to Istanbul, I have the opportunity to visit different cars and take various actions each turn. These actions might help me uncover crucial details about the Crime: the Modus Operandi, Suspect, Motive, and Location.

The Time of the Crime is a bit different to deduce compared to the other elements.

In this game, there are exactly two identical copies of each Crime card (except for the Time cards). So, if I happen to see the same Crime element twice during the same turn, whether in the hands of two different players or the same player, I can confidently eliminate that element from my deduction sheet.

But watch out – when a Crime card is played twice but in different turns, there’s a chance you might have seen the same card again as it could have changed hands. So, be careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly in such cases.

The Discard Piles of the Players

Because there are multiple copies of each Crime card in the game, it is very important for the players to be able to keep track of where the cards are at any given time during the game turn.

When we play this game, we need to remember one important rule: whenever we show or receive a card during our turn, we must put it face down on our discard pile right away.

After that, let’s make sure to put our Character token back on top of the pile, so it’s always on the top card. This way, everyone can see which pile is our discard pile and we won’t get it mixed up with the cards in our hand.

Oh, and sometimes players set aside cards when they take notes. Just be careful not to mix those up with the cards in your hand or discard pile.

The different categories of Crime cards have different backs, each with its own color.

During the game, we can ask any of our fellow players to show us the backs of the cards in their hand and discard pile. This can help us see how many cards of each Crime category they have.

Getting Started

Hey there! Take a look at the itinerary on the board map. We’ve got 4 stations to pass through on the Mystery Express journey: Strasbourg, Munchen, Wien, and Budapest. The final destination? Istanbul!

When we start the game, the train is chilling in Paris, right on the board map. But by the end, it’ll be all the way in Istanbul. Quite the trip!

Now, here’s how the game goes: each leg of the journey represents one turn. And during each turn, all the players get to take actions and investigate, going clockwise starting with the player who has the little whistle.

But here’s the cool part: because each leg has a different duration, it also has different actions you can take. Short legs mean you gotta keep your investigations brief. But long legs? Those have tons of tempting actions to choose from. It’s like a treasure trove!

When we’re on this journey together, each of us has our own way of spending our time. What’s interesting is how we use that time to solve the mystery.

Every step of the way, we’ll try to find as many clues as we can. We’ll do different things, like sneaking a peek at each other’s cards, hoping to find pairs that help us eliminate some possibilities.

If you take the Paris – Strasbourg leg, it will only take you 4 hours. Colonel MacDouglas has a choice: he can try to clear the smoke in the Smoking Car, which will take him 3 hours, and then retire to the Passenger Car, which will take 1 hour.

If he chooses to go to the Smoking Car for 3 hours, he won’t be able to visit the Lounge Car on the same turn, because this leg of the journey only lasts 4 hours.

To keep the game running smoothly, whenever a Crime card is shown or exchanged, it must be immediately placed face down in a stack in front of the player who had it. This stack is called the player’s discard pile. Doing this will make it much easier for the players to figure things out.

When I play the game, I put my Character token on top of the discard pile so that everyone knows it’s my stack. This way, if we see the same Crime card for the second time in one turn, we’ll know it’s the second one and not the first. It helps us figure out the Crime.

After each leg of the trip, when everyone has taken their turns, we all take back any cards in our discard piles at the same time. This is before we move the train to the next destination.

Let’s Play!

1. Choose Your Character and Take Actions

Step Inside a Mystery Express Car

Take an Action

Talk to the Conductor

2. Local Events

When we have all finished our actions for this part of the journey, the Mystery Express pulls up at its local destination.

We all gather up the cards we previously discarded and the little train moves on to the next city station on the board map’s schedule.

If the city is one where we investigate the Hour of the Crime (which is shown by the Time card symbols on that part of the board), we need to deal with that event first (check out The Hour of the Crime section for more information).

After that, we carry out any other events associated with this city, if there are any. We do them in the order they appear on the board, from left to right. Don’t forget to reveal the Conductor’s token that was placed in the city and move the Conductor to the new Car shown on the token, getting ready for the next part of the trip.

The Mystery of the Hour

Strasbourg, Wien, Budapest

Hey there! Let me take you on a journey to unravel the enigmatic hour of the crime. We’ll explore the captivating cities of Strasbourg, Wien, and Budapest, where this extraordinary tale unfolds.

Picture this: you find yourself in Strasbourg, a city full of charm and history. The cobblestone streets whisper stories of the past as you walk by timber-framed houses and Gothic cathedrals. But within this idyllic setting lies a mystery waiting to be solved.

Now, let’s venture to Wien, the city of music and grandeur. As you wander through the opulent palaces and enchanting gardens, a sense of intrigue fills the air. The Viennese cafes hum with conversations, providing the perfect backdrop for secrets to be shared.

Our final stop takes us to Budapest, a city divided by the mighty Danube River. The imposing architecture of Buda Castle and the vibrant atmosphere of the ruin bars set the stage for our investigation. As we delve deeper, we uncover clues hidden in the thermal baths and winding streets.

I ask myself, who committed this puzzling crime? Was it a jealous lover, a cunning mastermind, or a desperate individual driven to the edge? The answer lies within the intricately woven tapestry of Strasbourg, Wien, and Budapest.

Join me on this thrilling journey of discovery. As we walk in the footsteps of the past, we’ll unravel the secrets of the hour and unlock the truth behind the enigma. So, grab your detective hat and let’s embark on this unforgettable adventure together.

Hey there! Let me tell you about three events that could help you solve the mystery of the crime’s hour. Something interesting about the Time cards is that they were not given to the players at the beginning of the game, unlike the other Crime cards.

Why, you ask? Well, that’s because these cards will be shown to all of us, but in a slightly different way, in the three cities that the Mystery Express travels through. You can spot these cities by looking for the symbol on the itinerary that represents Time cards.

Now, here’s the thing: there are three copies of each Time card, making a grand total of 24 cards. Each card shows a different hour of the crime, with 8 possible hours in total. The catch is that you have to pay close attention to the clock because the Time cards are only revealed for a short time.

So here’s the deal: there’s a card missing from the Hour of the Crime deck, and it’s up to you to find out which one. You see, the hour and minute hands on the clock usually appear three times, but this time, they only show up twice. That’s where the missing card is hiding.

Now, pay attention to the City symbols on the board. If you’re the one holding the Whistle (aka, the first player), it’s your responsibility to keep track of time.

First things first, though – the Hour of the Crime event always happens before any other Local events in the City. Keep that in mind.

Alright, let me explain how the Time cards are revealed in each City:

In Strasbourg

In Wien

In Budapest

Let’s be fair to the player who shows us the Time cards. I won’t take notes while they reveal the cards. But don’t worry, I can still write down what I think after they’re finished.

Exciting new arrivals

Welcome aboard the Strasbourg and Wien Express!

When the Hour of the Crime is over, something interesting happens in two bustling cities – new passengers hop on board our train. And guess what? Each new passenger brings along a special surprise! Let me tell you all about it.

First, let’s talk about Strasbourg. If you decide to visit the Club Car during your journey (and trust me, you’ll want to), you’ll have the chance to draw a card from our exclusive 1st passengers deck. Imagine that! You can even take a peek at the different backs of the cards before deciding which one to pick. It’s like having a lucky charm in your pocket!

And then there’s Wien. In this vibrant city, something equally marvelous happens. Just like in Strasbourg, you can visit the Club Car and draw a card. But here’s the twist – you’ll be drawing from the 2nd passengers deck. It’s like grabbing a hidden treasure!

The Never-Ending Tunnel of Secrets

Discovering Mysterious Passengers in Munchen

In this thrilling adventure, I find myself inside a long tunnel that stretches on endlessly. The darkness envelops everything, providing the perfect cover to stealthily explore the secrets of my fellow passengers.

To start my investigation, I place all my cards face down, neatly aligned next to each other. Carefully, I take a peek at one card from the decks of the players sitting on either side of me, all the while ensuring that the contents remain a mystery to the rest of the group.

Through this subtle observation, I manage to catch a glimpse of two intriguing cards from the players in Munchen. One comes from the left, while the other is revealed by the player on my right. It’s like I’ve unlocked a treasure trove of enigmatic information. But remember, the train hasn’t departed yet, so I quickly gather all my cards back into my hand, ready to embark on this mysterious journey.

An Important Wire

Budapest

When I arrive in Budapest, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency. I quickly grab a sheet from the Telegram notepad and begin writing down my suspicions. I carefully jot down the Crime elements that I am certain about, as well as the ones that I have a strong suspicion about.

These suspicions will come in handy later. They will serve as a tiebreaker at the end of the game. For every Crime element that I correctly wire in from Budapest, I will earn 1 point. On the flip side, if any of my suspicions turn out to be incorrect, I will lose 1 point.

It’s a risk I’m willing to take, as long as I can gain an advantage. I have the option to leave some fields of the telegram blank. By doing so, I won’t earn or lose any points for those elements. In fact, leaving some fields blank might even help me win the tiebreaker.

When we finish writing our telegrams, we put them face down under the board, with the hidden Crime cards. Remember to write your name on your telegram, but don’t peek at other players’ telegrams when we collect them and put them under the board.

A Sudden Realization

Budapest

Once we’ve sent our telegrams, we each pick a card from our hands. Then we show everyone our chosen cards. These cards stay face up next to the board for the whole game. Remember to keep these new clues in mind to help us with our investigation!

The Game Ends

When the Mystery Express arrives in Istanbul, our journey is over. We need to write down our investigation conclusions on our deduction sheets. After everyone finishes, the 5 Crime cards hidden under the board at the beginning of the game are revealed!

So here’s a fun way to make the end of the game even more exciting – why not reveal the cards that were hidden under the board one at a time? As each card is revealed, we can all take turns announcing our suspicions for that card type. Just imagine the tension building around the table, getting more and more intense with each new card!

The player who correctly identifies the most Crime elements on their deduction sheet will be crowned the winner. And don’t worry, if you make a wrong guess on your deduction sheet (but not on the telegram), it won’t cost you any points. So go ahead and take a chance if you’re not sure about certain crime elements. After all, it’s better to give it a shot than to miss out!

If two or more players end up tied for first place, don’t worry. We have a tiebreaker in place. Just take a look at the telegrams sent from Budapest, and that should help break the tie. It’s all explained in detail above, so you’ll know exactly what to do.