Paranormal Detectives Review: A Groundbreaking Mystery Game Featuring Paranormal Communication with Ghosts

When you wake up, you've become a ghost.
He must explain what happened to the strange detectives surrounding his body.

In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the appeal of the board game "Paranormal Detectives," which has been a hot topic due to its innovative communication method .
We'll provide detailed information that will be useful to anyone considering purchasing the game, from its unique mechanics that set it apart from traditional mystery games to the actual gameplay experience.

Game Basics

Paranormal Detectives is an innovative detective game that revolves around paranormal communication between ghosts and detectives.

Number of players, time, and target age

Paranormal Detectives is a mystery party game for 2-6 players, with a playtime of 30-150 minutes, and is recommended for ages 12 and up.
The optimal number of players is 3-6, and it can be played in about 45 minutes, making it suitable for families and game parties.

Innovative Game Mechanics

One player plays the role of the ghost, and the remaining players act as paranormal detectives trying to uncover the truth behind the victim's death.

The best part is that ghosts respond in a variety of paranormal ways:

Place a noose
Choosing a Tarot Card
Make a letter puzzle with Talking Board
Hold the detective's hand and draw a picture

Five Mysterious Elements

Detectives must uncover five key elements: Who, Where, Why, How, and Weapon.

At the start of the game, the Ghost player receives a story card detailing the murder, while the Detectives each receive an asymmetrical set of interaction cards, an investigation sheet, and a player screen.

The appeal of Paranormal Detectives

With nine unique interaction methods, the game offers innovative communication not found in traditional mystery games.

A unique communication system

There are nine different interaction methods, and the detective can ask questions at will, with interaction cards determining how the ghost responds, so the game encourages creativity from both the ghost and the detective.

The quill drawing is particularly excellent , and the experience of the detective holding the pen and the ghost holding the detective's hand and drawing a clue in one stroke is something you can't get in any other game.

The gameplay gradually gets more exciting

The game starts slowly at first, but soon becomes a frenetic race to be the first to correctly guess the five keys.

Players may feel lost in the first half, but by combining clues, learning answers from other players, and finding coherence, they will always find a solution.

Flexible Play Modes

It can be played in both semi-cooperative and fully cooperative modes, and the cooperative mode allows detectives to debate and make inferences, making it a more fun party game.

In competitive mode, detectives must strategically ask questions to try to solve the mystery first, while avoiding helping other detectives too much.

Rich content and extensibility

The box contains 28 story cards, with many more available in the free Paranormal Detectives app (Google Play Store and Apple Store).

It's also fun to play the same case with different players, seeing their different approaches and judging them against your previous friend's performance.

Concerns and solutions

Beginners will need to consider the initial difficulties and themes, but these can be resolved with the right measures.

The early stages are difficult for beginners

In every game, the detective feels lost in the first half, the first clue isn't enough to solve the five keys, and they may not even know what the first few clues mean.

Strategy: It's important to explain this to new players and build their trust - by combining clues, learning from other players' answers when possible, and finding consistency, you will always find a solution.

Consideration of specific themes

Some stories may contain sensitive content.

Solution: Lucky Duck Games labels some of the more sensitive stories so they can be removed for family play.
Children as young as 7-8 years old can play, but parents are advised to review the story choices beforehand.

Accessory quality issues

Dry erase markers are of lower quality and dry out quickly, but they erase well from dry erase components.

Solution: If necessary, you can purchase a high-quality dry erase marker separately.
It doesn't affect the core gaming experience.

Recommended for these people and occasions

This is a versatile mystery game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from party game enthusiasts to families.

The ideal player

It's especially suitable for extroverted players looking for a lighter take on party games and wanting to relax and have fun.

It's also highly recommended for those who enjoy games like Dixit, Mysterium, and Clue, or for those who don't like the visual nature of Mysterium but enjoy social deduction and puzzle solving.

Use as a family game

It's a great game for players new to modern board games, with a similar familiarity to Clue, yet just as engaging as its contemporary counterparts.

The flexibility of competitive and cooperative play makes it appealing to a wide audience, and teaching allows students to learn game mechanics while playing cooperatively.

Effective at game parties and other events

Essen Spiel was heralded as a major release of 2019 and has been rated as one of the best party games anyone has played.

The game has been described as simultaneously challenging, strategic, and silly, and it's surprising that such a hilarious game can be so difficult.

Experience you can expect

"If Clue and Charades had a baby party game, this would be it. One player is a ghost who can't speak, but knows how they were killed. All other players must communicate with the ghost in hilarious ways to try to find answers about their deaths." This unique experience offers a unique experience.

Paranormal Detectives has earned a place in our household as a replacement for Mysterium, offering the same feel as games like Clue, Mysterium, and Dixit, while having mechanics that appeal to a more diverse range of players.

If you're looking for an upgrade to Clue but still enjoy a unique way of deciphering what happened, Paranormal Detectives is worth considering.
With innovative communication methods and escalating excitement , it's sure to provide you with an unforgettable gaming experience.

Link to the official rulebook

Check the product on the online store page

Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.

Reference source/quote source

1. Paranormal Detectives - Lucky Duck Games

3. Paranormal Detectives | Board Game | BoardGameGeek

4. Paranormal Detectives Review - Board Game Quest

5. Paranormal Detectives Game Review – Meeple Mountain

6. Review of Paranormal Detectives – The Meeple Street

7. Paranormal Detectives Deduction Game Overview

8. Paranormal Detectives - Apps on Google Play

9. Paranormal Detectives Review | What Board Game