“Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man…” wrote Hemingway. It is precisely this Holmes-versus-Moriarty style rivalry that makes Scotland Yard worth an hour or more of your time. At the outset, a player is chosen to be the infamous “Mr. X,” pursued throughout the game by the remaining 1-5 players. The board is an intricate map of London, detailing lines of public transit, but also including fun landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. The transit routes, however, are the key to winning the game.
Detectives are issued tickets for each type of transit—taxi, bus, or underground (train), which cannot be replenished, and therefore must be used wisely. If less than the full number of detectives are playing, the extra pieces become “bobbies,” after the British slang for police. Bobbies act as shared pieces at the detectives’ collective disposal that don’t need tickets to explore London. Likewise, Mr. X does not need tickets for regular transit. Additionally, he is issued special tickets that allow him extra privileges, like using the ferry or making two moves in one turn. Detectives take turns collaborating and moving their pieces from one station to another, according to the tickets at their disposal. When all of the detectives and bobbies have moved, Mr. X takes his turn, recording his invisible moves on a special notepad. Detectives are allowed to know what type of transit he used, assuming he hasn’t used one of his special tickets. Mr. X only appears on five of the twenty-three turns, lending hide-and-seek anticipation and lots of discussion on where he could be next. The game is over either when Mr. X has been cornered (can make no more moves without bumping into a detective) or captured (a detective lands on his station). Alternatively, if Mr. X evades capture for the full twenty-three turns, he is the victor.
Geared toward the analytical thinker and recommended for children 10+, Scotland Yard is an exciting way to pass a rainy afternoon. Including both cooperative and competitive play, the game even comes with a visor (or hat, depending on your edition) for Mr. X to hide behind as he strategizes. Moreover, as in a real man-hunt, there’s just enough luck involved that either side could gain an unexpected advantage at any moment. If you’re hunting for an edge-of-your-seat challenge for you and your friends, investigate Scotland Yard.
– Chloe Quimby
Detectives hunt for the infamous Mr. X in Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
by Ravensburger
Ages 10 and up, 2-6 players
Thank you Unique Toy Shop for lending us this copy to review!
August 18, 2015
