The Cars of the Mystery Express

On the grand Mystery Express, a luxurious locomotive that travels through time and space, each car offers a unique adventure. From the moment you step aboard, you are transported into a world of wonder and mystery. As you wander through the cars, you will discover captivating stories, thrilling games, and enigmatic puzzles that will challenge your wits and ignite your imagination.

The first car you encounter is the Chamber of Curiosities, a place filled with oddities and artifacts from distant lands and times. Here, you can explore the wonders of the world, marveling at ancient relics and eccentric contraptions. Will you unravel the secrets hidden within these curious objects or let them remain mysteries forever?

Next, you step into the Whispering Gallery, a car that echoes with whispers and untold tales. The walls are adorned with portraits of illustrious figures, their eyes seemingly following your every move. Listen closely, and you might catch snippets of their stories and the secrets that bind them together. But beware, for not all whispers are friendly, and some might lead you astray.

As the train hurtles forward, you find yourself in the Puzzle Parlor, a car brimming with brain-teasers and mind-bending puzzles. Test your logic, memory, and intuition as you attempt to solve these perplexing enigmas. The clock is ticking, and the challenge awaits. Will you rise to the occasion or be left scratching your head?

Further down the line, you enter the Theater of Illusions, a car that defies reality and bends the laws of physics. Here, nothing is as it seems. Watch as skilled magicians perform unbelievable feats, leaving you questioning the very fabric of the universe. Prepare to have your mind dazzled, your senses confounded, and your notions of what is possible shattered into a thousand pieces.

Finally, you reach the Conundrum Caboose, the last car on this exhilarating journey. In this enigmatic space, you will encounter riddles and conundrums that will push your problem-solving abilities to their limits. Can you unravel the final mysteries and emerge victorious? The fate of the Mystery Express lies in your hands.

So, hop aboard and join me on this extraordinary adventure through the cars of the Mystery Express. Are you ready to embrace the unknown, challenge your mind, and uncover the secrets of the universe? The train is departing soon. Don’t miss your chance to embark on a journey like no other.

Let me break it down for you, kid. The Club car offers you 2 options. Now, if you’ve got plenty of time, like at least 4 hours to spare, you can go for both of these choices. Picture this: you can do each action once, either in one go or by making two stops in this car.

Listen up, pal!

Duration: 1 hour. With this action, I can make someone – it can be you, if you want – take back into their hand all the cards of a specific Crime category from their discard pile.

Please, allow me to assist you, Madame!

The Dining Car

When it comes to socializing, there’s nothing quite like catching up over a meal.

Time: It can vary.

This activity will take as long as the number of people you choose to eat with. For instance, if you invite 2 people to join you for lunch, it will take 2 hours.

Select up to 4 players in a 5-player game and ask each of them to show you a Crime card from their hand. Make sure that each player shows you a card from a different category. You cannot ask the same player twice in a row to show you two different cards. After you have seen the cards, they should be placed on top of each player’s discard pile.

Lounge Car

When you’re sitting down with a snifter of brandy or a glass of fine claret, there’s something about the atmosphere that seems to encourage people to open up and share their thoughts. It’s amazing what can happen when you take the time to savor a drink and engage in good conversation.

Now, let’s talk about a game that captures that spirit and turns it into a fun and engaging experience. It’s called “Passenger Car” and it’s all about unraveling a mystery while enjoying the company of friends.

The game lasts about 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to settle in and let the excitement build. One important thing to note is that each player (except for you) must reveal one card from the Crime category to all players at the same time. This category is the same for everyone, adding an element of suspense and intrigue.

If a player doesn’t have a card from the Crime category, they don’t reveal anything, but they still get to see what the other players have revealed. It’s interesting to see how different people interpret the crime and what clues they bring to the table.

All of the revealed cards are placed on top of their respective owners’ discard piles, adding to the growing collection of clues. As the game progresses, these clues will become more and more important in uncovering the truth and solving the mystery.

Choosing the Right Path

You start talking to the people sitting next to you in the hopes of getting to know them better.

The game lasts for about an hour.

Pick a category related to crimes, such as the method of operation, the suspect, the motive, or the location. Then, choose the person seated next to you on your left or right. That person will choose a card from their hand that matches the category you named and pass it to you.

Once you’ve seen the card, place it face down on top of your discard pile. Then, pick another card from your hand that matches the same category and pass it to the person on the other side of you.

That person will then do the same thing: they’ll look at your card, put it on top of their discard pile face down, and pass another card from the same category to the person on their other side. This process continues until everyone has passed one card.

Reminder: If you or another player don’t have any cards in the selected Crime category, you must pass on the card you just received instead of adding it to your own discard pile.

The Dreamy Train Compartment

I find it downright intriguing, you know? This whole idea of a “Sleeping Car” and what it entails. Just imagine, you board a train and are allocated a cozy little compartment where you can rest your weary bones during the journey. It sounds quite luxurious, doesn’t it? But there’s a twist, my friend. It’s not all peaceful slumber and sweet dreams. This seemingly harmless concept carries a hidden secret, which adds a layer of mystery and suspense.

Allow me to elucidate. You see, in this thrilling game, each player has a chance to look at the top card of the main deck. Then, they have the option to keep it for themselves or pass it on to another player in their choice of Crime category. But here’s the catch: if you or the player you passed it on to don’t have any cards of that Crime category, the card must be sent back, instead of being added to the discard pile. Quite the predicament, I must say. It adds an element of uncertainty and unpredictability to the game, don’t you think?

Now, let’s talk strategy. If you’re wise, you’ll pay close attention to the Crime categories in play and the cards that are being passed around. Take note of what your opponents are collecting and discard wisely. You wouldn’t want to end up with a card that you must pass on, only to receive it back again because no one else can take it. It’s like a never-ending loop, and it can be quite frustrating. But fear not, my friend, for with a keen eye and a little bit of luck, you can master the art of the Sleeping Car.

So, what are you waiting for? Step aboard this dreamy train compartment and put your deduction skills to the test. Embrace the thrill of uncertainty and embark on an adventure like no other. Grab that top card, make your choices wisely, and see if you can outwit your fellow passengers in the game of Sleeping Car. It’s a journey you won’t soon forget!

You step into the sleeping compartment of one of your fellow passengers, searching for vital clues. How long will this investigation take? About 1 or 2 hours.

In this risky game, there’s a chance that you won’t find any new clue. Here’s how it goes: one player holds the Miniature travel bag and hides it in one of their closed fists. Your mission is to figure out which hand the bag is in.

If you make the right guess, you can spend 2 hours exploring their stuff. As a reward, you get to pick a random Crime card from their hand. Take a look at the card, then add it to your discard pile while keeping it facedown.

However, if you choose the wrong hand, you’ll lose 1 hour and come back empty-handed. But don’t worry, you can head back to your seat or move to another Car if you still have enough time for another action!

Now, let’s talk about the Smoking Car.

After the chaos settles and everything begins to make more sense, something interesting happens.

Time: 3 hours

I have a little game to play. I ask two other players to each give me a Crime element card of my choosing (the type must be the same for both players) from their hand.

I take a look at the cards they give me and then put them face down on top of my own discard pile. As a thank you, I give each of these two players one card of my choice from my hand. They, in turn, put the card they received on top of their own discard pile.

Important: I need to have at least two cards in my hand in order to select this action. If I don’t, then I have to choose a different action.

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The Conductor: Let’s Have a Chat

Duration: It’s a quick, free action

Hey there! When you hop aboard the Mystery Express, don’t forget to have a chat with the Conductor. It’s a must-do during your train journey!

The Conductor is always on the move, checking on different cars as the train chugs along. Where he goes next is determined by the Conductor tokens that pop up at each new city the train reaches.

Now, here’s the deal: there’s a Conductor token for each car, and during the game, you’ll come across 5 of these tokens (from Paris to Budapest). But here’s the twist, once the train chugs into Istanbul, the Conductor bids farewell, no matter what token is there in Istanbul.

All in all, the Conductor will visit 5 different cars while we journey through our mysterious destination!

When you chat with the Conductor, it’s like getting a little bonus for free! You can do it right after you take an action in this Car. But keep in mind that if you don’t have enough time left to do the action, you won’t be able to chat.

Here’s how it works: You get to choose one of the 3 cards that you can see on the Conductor’s spots. Take a look at it and then put it on top of your discard pile. After that, pick a card from your hand and place it face down on the empty Conductor’s spot. Remember, the card you choose has to come directly from your hand, not from your discards.

Just a heads up, even if you stop in the Club car twice during your turn, you can only chat with the Conductor after your first Club car action, not after both.