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The Detective Society deliver some of the best modern mystery games around. The blend of old-school tangible items and modern online/mobile phone elements will please gamers of all ages. Furthermore, the clues, characters, and incredible stories will keep you hooked. I’ve recently looked at Countdown to Chaos and adored this short but thrilling experience. Accordingly, when offered Murder on the Moon, I couldn’t wait to wear my Sherlock Holmes hat and begin this latest adventure.
This 3 part endeavour is designed for 1-4 players no younger than 12. Our group comprised adults only and it was the perfect way to waste some hours during the festive period. Though this jolly season is over, January is long and boring and this game will brighten up the darkest of nights. Consequently, if you love to test your grey matter and wish to solve a tough but fair mystery, then Murder on the Moon is the game for you.
What’s in the box of Murder on the Moon?
- Everything about this screams high-end. The packaging looks great and every aspect is chunky, vibrant, and easy to handle.
- Murder on the Moon has a 3D game map to build. This is a new approach from The Detective Society and I loved this visual aspect.
- There are 3 case files to solve. Each contains essential information, blueprints, and other miscellaneous items.
Time to become a detective.
Each of the episodes/chapters/case files lasts between 1 and 2 hours. My team cracked each one in around 1 hour 30 and we were able to comfortably take breaks in-between. This was perfect as the volume of information and the combination of dated and modern mechanics were all-consuming. On top of this, we had some arguments as we tried to piece together every clue and work through each problem.
If your team can remain calm and not claw each other’s eyes out, you’ll laugh and joke as you interact with the virtual characters. This was phenomenal as each person was wonderfully scripted and I loved the captivating acting. The team won’t win any Oscars for their performances, but we were swept along with the story as each layer unfolded.
Though you are provided with each key portion of your adventure, I would recommend a pen and paper. Information comes at you thick and fast and it was occasionally tough to keep up. This may be a “me” problem, but jotting notes along the way certainly kept things moving nicely.
It’s a modern world.
We adored the old-school case file. The reams of information were great to work through. Additionally, the level of detail was impressive and it is obvious that The Detective Society are passionate about their projects. The tangible items were amazing to look at. Flitting between key items was fun and piecing together each clue gets your juices flowing. However, I was blown away by the modern aspects.
Murder on the Moon has mountains of specially designed web pages to explore on your mobile device or laptop/PC. As you work through every page, you forget that this is part of the game. The interface feels unbelievably real and transitioning from one page to another is seamless. Alongside this, I loved the puzzles and back and forth between core moments. If you wish, you can lose yourself in total nonsense. Alternatively, you can avoid the noise and attempt to push through to each solution. Either way, you’ll have a great time completing each episode.
How tough is it?
An adult team with a methodical mindset will work through every aspect with a minor degree of difficulty. Yet, if you have a younger team or players with less puzzling experience, you may find each chapter challenging. Some hurdles will hold you up, and though the game offers clues when you become stuck, you can get lost in the moment and find yourself confused.
I never felt that Murder on the Moon was imbalanced. Moreover, the exceptional storytelling and timely hints help to keep you on the straight and narrow. Subsequently, though there were some tough areas, we never felt like giving up. If you are new to this type of game, you may wish to test your skills with Countdown to Chaos. Both games follow a similar core pattern and this will set you up nicely for this larger and more hefty detective game.
Is Murder on the Moon worth it?
I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to review this before the end of 2024. Christmas was the perfect opportunity for would-be detectives to jump into the fun. Despite my tardiness, I believe that this and any other product from The Detective Society can be enjoyed all year round. The incredible combination of mechanics and the brilliant build quality will impress you. What’s more, the online action is seamless and I loved the story and the brilliant characters you encounter.
Including a 3D map adds another dimension to the playing field and I adored the sense of depth it creates. Each case file will make you smile as layers of information and images fall into your lap. When every element combines, you get a spell-bounding game that sucks you in from start to finish. Accordingly, if you want a jaw-dropping game that will impress friends and family alike, I recommend buying it here!
(More information on The Detective Society can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
