Stats:
No. of players: 3-6
Amount of time to play: 45 min
Age requirements: 10+
Set-up time: 5 min

Scotland Yard Rules Description:

Scotland Yard is a classic hidden-information game. You are either a detective or the elusive Mister X and will take taxis, buses and train around London.

At the start of the game if you are a detective you get 10 taxi tickets, 8 bus tickets and 4 underground tickets. If you are Mister X you start with 4 taxi tickets, 3 bus tickets, 3 underground tickets, 2 double move tickets and as many Mr. X tickets as there are detectives.

You use these tickets to move between different stations in London. Each station has a number and may be traveled to via taxi. Some of the stations also have one or two colors associated with them. Blue colored stations give you access to a bus (and travels farther than a taxi). While an orange station has access to the underground which travels further than most buses and taxis.

Why do you want to move you ask? Well if you are Mister X you go first and no one knows where you start. Your goal is to avoid capture by the detectives. You must move about the board and avoid the detectives. You log your moves, showing what mode of transportation you took, and on certain turns must reveal your position.

As a detective you chase Mister X and try to capture him by landing on his space. When you play a ticket you hand it to Mister X. If all the detectives are unable to move Mister X wins. Detectives must be mindful of what tickets they use and what they will need to keep moving.

Mister X has a couple tricks. The Mister X tickets can each be used once and they disguise your mode of transportation. You also have 2 double move tickets. These let you move to two stations on one of your turns.

A Quick Review of Scotland Yard:

Scotland Yard is a deduction game for the detectives and a more a game of strategy for Mister X. The game plays quick, encourages teamwork and is full of suspense.

I think the game might be more fun for the Mister X player, but still provides enjoyment for the detectives too. Maybe it is just my personality, but when you are surrounded by detectives the feeling of urgency is great. And when you are able to escape it is even better.

Scotland Yard is a unique board game that most anyone will enjoy. It accommodates up to 6 players and is fun for children and adults.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 2 out of 6
Player Interaction 4 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 3 out of 6
Fun 4 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6