Unsolved Case FilesAshcroft, Harmony - Cold Case Murder Mystery Game - Can You Solve The Crime? Who Killed Harmony? For Ages 14 and up

I just got into detective style gaming at the start of the year and have been seeking a realistic experience. I've looked into all the subscription boxes like Hunt a Killer, but having seen videos, while they are made very well, they are more puzzle solving in the escape room sense than actually feeling like solving a crime.The Detective board game is a great game in itself but I found this one to be much more immersive and realistic. The quality of the components are the best I've seen and the presentation makes you feel like you've been handed an actual case file (minus the gore) from a police department. Newspaper articles feel like they are from a newspaper, photos are actual real photo quality, reports appear as if they could be legitimate documents.Everything you need to solve the case is included, which to me is better than having to spread it out over 5 to 6 months compared to subscription boxes which can add up in costs pretty quickly. I think the costs of these are a pretty good deal for the contents and the experience.It took me about a week to solve, sitting for a few hours each day to revisit things to see what I missed. Overall I think they did a great job with making it difficult in the sense that you feel like everyone could be the killer. The moment I discovered something felt great and made me want to dig in even more to keep that feeling going. I love that they have the sealed content with it so that just when you think you've seen everything, they give you a bit more. It makes it feel like your persistence has paid off.Ok, so now for the negatives. After combing through everything like a good detective, I discovered a number of typos and inconsistencies. While for the most part none of these are game breaking, one could throw off your logic and mislead you, however I still was able to solve the objective relating to it. The other downside is the amount of detective work that I put into it, such as creating a time table of every event that occurred, where people were, how much distance between locations, how far could someone travel on foot versus in a vehicle, analyzing every statement from suspect to witnesses for accuracy and such. I wanted it to be much more than it was and in the end a lot of that time was wasted effort as it was much more simplistic than I had thought. I enjoyed that type of work but I wish it had much more of a pay off.Overall I would definitely recommend it as it's the best I've experienced so far. I'm also open to suggestions from other shoppers of similar experiences. I hope these people continue making these cases and making improvements. I think some proof readers would help avoid the typos. I would love to have more in depth analysis of the cases, such as the efforts that I have mentioned, pay off. Maybe instead of the 3 objectives, have smaller clues to piece together that eventually lead to solving an objective. I'd also love to see these go more in line with some of the subscription boxes as far as including physical items involved in the case or perhaps just more emphasis on items in general even if in photographs, like the murder weapon, items found at the scene or elsewhere. Perhaps even an online component like in Detective where you can access the police database to corroborate suspect/witness statements like looking up phone records, vehicle registration, news articles, websites, etc. In general just more of everything. Even if these were deluxe cases at a premium I'd still purchase them just for the immersion.I'm not disappointed with my purchase at all and glad to have ordered the second one in advance based only on the quality of what the first had. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

I am writing this review more of the quality of the package than anything else.The three things to solve were pretty good, although I did get the first one within minutes.My wife and I veg in front of the TV way too much so this was fine for two hours.The mystery is t so hard it takes hours of searching online for stuff. Not at all everything to solve the crime is in front of you. We really like this feature. We tried other subscription ones but they were nuts. This much better.It was fun, top quality materials, and overall impressive set.My only negative is the way to make sure you are right, you have to verify two pieces of evidence used, but sometimes there are three pieces. Person of Interest and witness statements have similar info.Anyway, it is a really good kit at a fantastic price.I hope this review was helpful!

This game was so much fun! The attention to detail in the files and the quality of the game was perfect! The creators definitely made this with lots of love. It was challenging but it’s an unsolved mystery case so I expected it to be. I would say it was the same amount of difficulty you would expect in an escape room. It does have hints if needed and I did use them but that just makes me want to buy another one so I can solve without the hints! I can’t wait to buy the next case to share with my family as this game is perfect for all ages who can read or at least able to solve problems.

Prepare to put your detective skills to the test in this captivating murder mystery game that pushes the boundaries of challenge and intrigue. With a complex web of clues, compelling characters, and a puzzling crime to solve, the game offers an immersive experience that will keep you hooked from start to finish.One of the standout aspects of this murder mystery game is its level of difficulty. The puzzles and riddles presented throughout the game are cleverly designed, almost to the point of being too challenging. This aspect can be both a blessing and a curse, as it adds an extra layer of satisfaction when you finally crack the code, but it may also leave some players feeling frustrated or stuck at times. However, for those who relish a formidable challenge, this game delivers in spades.The storyline is intricately woven, presenting a complex murder case that requires careful attention to detail. The cast of characters is diverse and well-developed, each with their own motives and secrets, making it difficult to discern who the culprit might be. As you delve deeper into the investigation, you'll encounter unexpected twists and turns, ensuring that the game remains unpredictable and thoroughly engaging.In conclusion, this murder mystery game offers an engrossing and challenging experience for players who enjoy intricate puzzles and complex narratives. With its thought-provoking gameplay, compelling storyline, it will undoubtedly keep you on the edge of your seat. While its difficulty level may prove daunting for some they do offer hints for those who get stuck, those who embrace the challenge will be rewarded with a satisfying and unforgettable detective adventure.

Great game! I love it so much. It wasn’t that difficult to understand. It took us an hour to finish. We got to play the part and enjoy with friends. I will have to get more of these.