Crime Zoom: “Bird of Ill Omen” and “His Last Card”
Crime Zoom is a series of investigation games by Stéphane Anquetil where 1-6 players examine a scene and look through cards to try and solve a murder. My playtest groups and I tried the “Bird of Ill Omen” and the “His Last Card” scenarios. There’s a third scenario called “A Deadly Writer” but I haven’t been able to find a copy of it. We tried 2 different group combinations and player counts for each scenario so we could get a feel for how the game plays at different player counts without anyone going into a game with insider information.
Components
The game consists of 55 cards and a rule book. One card is the setup card explaining how to set up the beginning scene. The Bird of Ill Omen’s introductory scene is made of 9 cards while the His Last Card scene is made of 15. The rest are numbered lead cards.
This is a nice box. It’s pretty small and not much bigger than it needs to be. You could probably have shaved a little space off, but the box is already so small that it’s not an issue.
The game takes up a surprising amount of table space. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just something to keep in mind when setting up and deciding where to play.
Gameplay
The rules are simple. After you follow the directions on the setup card and flip it over, you’re ready to start investigating. You can flip over any card in the scene to look closer for evidence. If a card has a number on it, you can choose to search through the deck for the card with that number on it and read it. From there you follow the clues until you feel like you’ve solved the mystery.
Thoughts
This game is pretty short. The box lists the playtime around 60 minutes, but in some games we finished in as little as 45. This isn’t a bad thing, short experiences like this can be really nice, but some players might be looking for more.
Something to keep in mind is how often you’ll actually play this. An unavoidable issue with mystery games like this is that they tend to be single-use or rarely hit the table, depending on how good your memory is. Mine is garbage, so I can play these kinds of games a bit more often without spoiling myself, but this isn’t the case for everyone. When deciding whether to pick this up you should think about it more in terms of a one-off experience rather than a new board game to add to your collection.
The Bird of Ill Omen scenario references some fairly heavy subject matter. Yes, I know that sounds odd given this is a game about solving a murder, but hear me out. Homophobia is a recurring theme, and is listed in the investigation report as a possible motive. There are also some more specific plot elements regarding the murder that might hit a little too close to home for some people. The case is maybe a little too real and not really the kind of thing that screams “fun game night,” at least for me.
The Bird of Ill Omen scenario does have a much better epilogue than the other scenario, though. It’s made up of various newspaper headlines and blog posts, and overall formatted much better. His Last Card just has a short story of how the crime happened that is formatted very poorly. Dialogue is indicated by dashes at first, but then they just gave up and stopped indicating what was and wasn’t dialogue. There were also some very weird line breaks.
Visually, the His Last Card starting scene is very dark. A lot of the smaller details are very hard to see, which caused problems for both playgroups. Being able to see the details is important when deciding which cards you want to check for leads.
Scoring feels pointless, but I suppose that there otherwise wouldn’t really be much incentive to not just go through every card other than personal pride. I would argue in some ways it was a detriment to the experience. When the second group was playing the Bird of Ill Omen scenario, they were so focused on scoring points that they often refused to follow leads, slowing the game to a crawl. The Bird of Ill Omen’s Hall of Fame at the back of the book has a score for you to try and reach/beat, but His Last Card does not.
An immediate comparison that will jump to a lot of people’s minds is Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective. The rules are very similar but Crime Zoom is much more scaled down. If you liked Consulting Detective but found it a little overwhelming, this game would be a good choice. Conversely, if you like this game and want a bit more of a challenge, definitely look into Consulting Detective.
Verdict
I give this 3.5 out of 5 cthulhus. Crime Zoom will definitely scratch a mystery-solving itch, but it’s not a very deep or long-lasting experience. You can check them out at the Amazon links below. Remember that we are an Amazon affiliate and if you purchase anything from the links provided we will get some $ back.
(3.5 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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