Detective City of Angels

Set in the shadowy streets of 1940s Los Angeles, where crime and corruption are rampant, a compelling and compelling story unfolds. Welcome to Detective City of Angels, a unique board game that immerses players in a film noir world full of intrigue, mystery and murder. Developed by Van Ryder Games and designed by Evan Derrick, this game offers an engaging mix of deduction, interaction and storytelling that challenges players to channel their inner detective and solve a series of complex cases.

Setting and Theme

Detective City of Angels is deeply rooted in the atmosphere and aesthetics of film noir. The players are transported to 1940s Los Angeles, an era of darkness and temptation. The setting is drenched in grainy street lights, the smell of cigarette smoke and the sounds of jazz music in smoky nightclubs. The game is steeped in classic noir elements, such as hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales, corrupt police officers and dangerous gangsters.

Game mechanics

Detective City of Angels is an asymmetrical game that offers a unique division of roles between the players. One player takes on the role of the Chisel, the mastermind behind the crimes. The other players are the Detectives, who work together to uncover the truth and solve the mysteries the Chisel has created. The game board shows a map of Los Angeles, divided into several districts. Each round, the Chisel moves through the city, leaving clues at locations. The Detectives try to interpret the clues and discover the hidden truth. The game uses an innovative "I-spy" mechanic, where the Detectives ask the Chisel questions and he/she answers by placing "I-spy" chips in the relevant locations.

Interactive Storytelling

One of the most notable features of Detective City of Angels is its interactive storytelling. Each case is steeped in a unique storyline that unfolds as the Detectives uncover the clues. The Chisel has a secret purpose and must deceive the Detectives as much as possible as they search for the truth. The storyline is enhanced by beautiful writing and storytelling cards that provide players with extensive and visual descriptions of events and characters. This allows players to fully immerse themselves in the mystery and imagine that they are actually in a noir film.

Deduction and Logic

Detective City of Angels is primarily a deduction game. The Detectives must interpret the clues left behind by the Chisel and draw conclusions to uncover the truth. The game encourages players to think and reason logically to make the right connections and understand the motives and actions of the suspects. At the same time, the Chisel must do his/her best to lead the Detectives astray and keep the true identity of the perpetrator a secret. This creates an exciting and competitive dynamic between the Chisel and the Detectives, where every move is crucial.

Extensions and Repeatability

Detective City of Angels also offers several expansions, which add new cases, characters and stories to the base game. This allows players to enjoy near-infinite repeatability and an ever-changing experience. The expansions further expand the game's world and add new elements to make the game even more challenging.

Production Value and Artwork

The game also deserves praise for its production value and artwork. The components are of high quality and the board and cards are beautifully illustrated to perfectly capture the atmosphere of the game. The game board and cards evoke an atmosphere of dark alleys, glittering nightclubs and the gloomy side of Los Angeles in the 1940s. Detective City of Angels is an intriguing and compelling board game that immerses players in the mysterious and dangerous world of film noir. With interactive storytelling, clever deduction and a challenging asymmetrical game mechanic, the game offers a unique experience for players who love puzzles and storytelling. Whether you take on the role of a hard-hitting detective or operate as the cunning Chisel, Detective City of Angels promises an unforgettable and exciting adventure that you will want to relive again and again.