In the beginning there was …
…box. Medium-sized, cardboard and with a small number of elements inside: one city map, sixteen envelopes, one magnifying glass (+ sticker) and one hundred and twenty case cards, as well as instructions and a spoiler alert. All elements, similar to the reviewed MikroMakro. On the trail of the crimes , they were made with the greatest care. Are you ready? So find a large table, comfortable for all players (1-4), reserve it for at least 15-45 minutes, stick a sticker on the magnifying glass and start the game! Some elements can only be seen by those with eagle eyesight. Be sure to turn on the light!
We already know it, and you?
Similar to MikroMakro. The game does not require long preparations, but if you want to recall the rules, the developers have prepared an introductory investigation entitled “Sombrero”. One person participating in the game will be the main investigator (his tasks include conducting a case and reading texts on cards aloud, he also helps to solve puzzles), the rest – focuses on tasks and good answers.
The card on the top of the deck is always the starting card for a new investigation – we learn what needs to be investigated and get to know the main character of the story. The black cards describe the first task. The solution is always a specific scene on a city map (we check the answers using the given coordinates or by analyzing the graphics). We solve investigations in the order given or according to our own idea. The light bulb symbol signals a clue, two overlapping cards allow you to perform two tasks at the same time, and the star indicates the difficulty level and time-consuming of the game. While playing, players have the opportunity to mark specific scenes using generally available items – caps or coins. According to the aforementioned alert spoiler – do not look at the other side of the cards,
Lucky Duck Games, thanks!
The publisher of Lucky Duck Games also offers two alternative versions to the given ideas – for advanced (when trying to solve the investigation, you only use one card) and for children (symbols appear on the cards – creatures that – seemingly – indicate the content of the tasks *). If you solve all the puzzles, you can hang the city map on the wall and keep practicing. The publisher gives some sample questions, but nothing prevents you from coming up with additional questions.
To sum up, MikroMakro. City Poker is a very addictive game for everyone who likes puzzles and secrets. It doesn’t matter if we don’t know the first part – only a few stories are continued, but the references are not necessary to get the job done. In MikroMakro , the issue of cooperation has also been refined, which allows players to solve puzzles together and have fun.
* The symbols of smiling dogs appearing on cards dealing with accidents, murders, showing corpses and other elements related to the circumstances of the death, as well as containing drastic content or sexual references, look somewhat disturbing and do not clearly indicate content not suitable for children.
