MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House

2021

Immerse yourself in MicroMacro: Crime City - Full House, a unique board game that combines puzzle-solving and storytelling. Decode 16 intriguing cases on a massive city map!

45
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

10+

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the intricate world of MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House, an engaging and immersive board game that blends the thrill of crime solving with the strategy of puzzle solving. In this game, you will dive deep into the heart of Crime City, a bustling metropolis teeming with life, mystery, and a fair share of criminal activities.

Imagine being a detective in a monochromatic, yet vibrant city, where every corner holds a secret and each character has a story to tell. That’s the setting of MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House. The city is presented in a large, detailed map, filled with numerous characters engaged in various activities. Your task is to observe, deduce and unravel the mysteries behind the various crimes that occur within this city.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is an intricate detective board game where players solve crimes in the fictional city of Crime City. The following are the components included in the game, along with their functions:

1. Game Map:

The game map is a large, detailed illustration of Crime City. It serves as the primary game board where players will find clues to solve the various crimes. The map is filled with tiny details and events that players must scrutinize to solve the cases.

2. Case Cards:

There are 16 cases included in the game. Each case is represented by a deck of cards. The first card of each case provides the initial scenario and the final card reveals the solution. The cards in between contain questions that lead the players through the investigation.

3. Case Envelopes:

Each case comes in a separate envelope. The envelope maintains the mystery of the case as it conceals the case cards until players decide to take on that specific case.

4. Magnifying Glass:

The game includes a magnifying glass. This tool is intended to help players examine the intricate details on the game map more clearly, which is crucial in spotting clues and solving the crimes.

Interactions within the Game:

At the start of the game, players choose a case and open the corresponding envelope to reveal the case cards. They read the initial scenario and start their investigation on the game map. Using the magnifying glass, players look for clues on the map that answer the questions on the case cards. Once all questions are answered, players can confirm their solution by reading the final card of the case. The game continues with players solving as many cases as they can or wish to.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a cooperative detective game where players work together to solve a variety of cases by connecting the dots and identifying patterns on a large map of the city. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game:

Step 1: Unfold the Game Map

Unfold the game map and place it in the center of the playing area where all players can easily see and reach it. The map represents the city where all crimes will take place.

Step 2: Determine the Case

Choose a case from the included case book. Each case will come with its own set of unique challenges and puzzles to solve. For first-time players, it’s recommended to start with the introductory case.

Step 3: Read the Start Card

Each case comes with a set of cards that guide the investigation. Begin by reading the start card out loud to all players. This card will give initial details about the case, including the crime, the victim, and the initial suspects.

Step 4: Assign Player Roles

Although all players are working together to solve the case, each player can assume a specific role to help organize the investigation:

The Archivist: This player keeps track of all discovered facts and clues.
The Cartographer: This player is in charge of finding and pointing out locations on the city map.
The Detective: This player leads the discussion and makes decisions when there are conflicting opinions.

Step 5: Set Up Initial Resources

Each player should have a notepad and pen for keeping notes. Players can write down any observations, clues, or theories they come up with during the game.

Step 6: Incorporate Any Random Elements

Some cases may include random elements such as special cards or additional rules. These should be set up according to the instructions on the case card.

Once all these steps are complete, players can begin their investigation and try to solve the case. Remember, the key to success in MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is cooperation and communication among the players.

Game flow Round and round we go

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a unique and engaging cooperative detective game. It doesn’t follow the traditional rounds or phases structure of many board games, but rather focuses on open investigation and collaborative discussion. Below is a detailed explanation of how a game unfolds.

At the start of the game, the large city map is spread out for all players to see. This map is a detailed illustration of Crime City and serves as the main game board. Each player, or team of players, selects a case from the case book. Each case contains multiple tasks to solve.

Investigation Phase:

Case Reading: The first task of the selected case is read out loud. Tasks can be questions about a specific event, a crime, or asking for the sequence of events. The question can relate to anything happening in the city.
Searching: All players then work together to search the city map for clues to answer the task’s question. There are no turns in this phase; everyone can search and discuss simultaneously. The city map is filled with many intricate illustrations and stories, so careful observation is key.
Discussion: After finding potential clues, players discuss among themselves to determine the most probable answer. This phase encourages cooperation and critical thinking.

Solution Phase:

Answering: Once the team agrees on an answer, they check the back of the task card to see if they were correct. If they were right, they proceed to the next task. If they were wrong, they can continue discussing and searching the city map until they find the correct answer.
Progression: Players proceed through each task in the case in this way. The complexity and difficulty of the tasks can increase as the case progresses.
Completion: The game ends when the final task of the case is solved. The players have now successfully solved the case and won the game!

Remember, MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a game of observation, teamwork, and detective skills. The goal isn’t just to win, but to enjoy the journey of unraveling the mysteries of Crime City.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’, a player’s turn is centered around solving cases by examining the game’s map to gather clues and answer questions. The players work cooperatively to solve these mysteries. The following is a detailed breakdown of actions and strategic choices a player can make during their turn:

1. Examining the Crime Scene:

Players start their turn by examining the game map, which is a highly detailed illustration of the entire city. This map serves as the crime scene. Players are allowed to look at the map at any point during their turn, and they can discuss findings with other players. The key strategy here is to take time to fully observe the details to find clues related to the case.

2. Answering Questions:

Once players have gathered enough information from the map, they can attempt to answer the questions posed on the case card. The questions are usually about the sequence of events, the identity of the criminal, or the motives behind the crime. Strategic choices in answering questions involve deciding which questions to answer first and how much information is sufficient to provide an answer.

3. Checking Answers:

If players believe they have the right answer, they can check the reverse side of the case card to see if they’re correct. This is a crucial strategic choice as incorrect answers might lead to confusion and misdirection. Therefore, players must be confident in their deductions before checking the answer.

4. Progressing the Case:

Once the answer is confirmed, players can move on to the next question or case, depending on the progression of the game. This requires strategic decision-making as players must decide the best order to solve the cases based on their current knowledge and the clues available on the map.

5. Using Special Abilities:

In some cases, players can utilize characters’ special abilities to gain additional insights or clues. The strategic use of these abilities can greatly affect the success of the investigation.

The gameplay in ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’ revolves around these actions and strategic decisions. The game emphasizes teamwork, deductive reasoning, and careful observation. The players’ ability to communicate, strategize and work together greatly impacts their success in solving the cases in this intriguing city.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a cooperative detective game where players work together to solve a series of crimes in a city filled with crime and intrigue. The game ends when the players have successfully solved the required number of cases, based on the chosen difficulty level. The victory condition is simply solving these cases – there is no scoring system.

Here are the steps players must take before the game ends:

Case Selection: At the start of the game, players collectively decide on the difficulty level and select the corresponding number of cases to solve. The cases can be of any difficulty, but the total number of cases must match the chosen level.
Investigation: Players then proceed to investigate the cases, one at a time, by searching the game map and answering the questions on the case cards. Players must work together, discuss their findings, and make joint decisions.
Solution Verification: Once players believe they have solved a case, they check the solutions in the solution book. If their answers are correct, they have solved the case. If not, they must continue their investigation.
Case Completion: After a case is solved, players move on to the next case until they have solved the required number of cases.

In the end, victory in MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is not about points or scores, but about the satisfaction of solving complex, engaging mysteries as a team.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House is a cooperative detective game where players work together to solve mysteries in the crime-riddled city. The game doesn’t feature a traditional scoring system, as the players are working together, not against each other. However, the success of the players can be determined by how efficiently they solve the crimes.

Here is a breakdown of how you progress in the game:

Starting a Case: At the beginning of each case, players choose one of the 16 cases included in the game. Each case has a starting card that gives the players their initial clues and sets up the mystery.
Gathering Information: Players then use the large city map to find locations, characters, and situations that relate to the clues on the cards. This is done in a freeform manner, with players able to look anywhere on the map and discuss theories with each other.
Solving Puzzles: Once players believe they have found the answer to a clue, they check the back of the card for confirmation. If they are correct, they move on to the next card in the case. If they are incorrect, they must continue investigating.
Completing a Case: The case is solved once all cards have been correctly answered. The efficiency of the players can be gaared by how many incorrect guesses they made throughout the case.

As for tie-breaking rules, since MicroMacro: Crime City is a cooperative game, there are no ties to break. All players win or lose together based on how successfully they solve the case. The real reward in this game is the satisfaction of successfully cracking the case and uncovering the story of the crime.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The game ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’ has some unique rules, exceptions, and clarifications that make it an intriguing and challenging experience. Here are some noteworthy points:

1. Rule Clarifications:

Time-Related Scenarios: While tracing back the events in the game, players should remember that time moves from right to left. This means an event on the right of the card happened before the event on the left.
Active Player Role: The rules don’t specify who should read the questions or reveal the answers. It’s up to the group to decide, but typically, the player who found the answer is the one who reads it out.

2. Exceptional Rules:

Team Play: Although the game is typically cooperative, players can choose to play in teams. Each team would then take turns to answer the questions. While one team is answering, the other team should look away from the game board.
Hint System: If players are stuck, they can use the hint system. However, this is optional. It’s recommended to use hints sparingly to keep the game challenging.

3. Special Rules:

Non-linear Progression: The scenarios in the game are not linear. Players can choose to solve them in any order they wish. They don’t need to finish one scenario before starting another.
Story Mode: For a more immersive experience, players can opt for the Story Mode where they solve cases in a specific order, revealing a bigger narrative.

Remember, the goal of ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’ is not just to solve cases, but to have fun while doing so. The rules are there to guide you, but ultimately, the way you play is up to you.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’

Story Integration: Always remember that the game is not just about finding clues. It’s also about piecing together a story. The more you can weave the clues into a coherent narrative, the better you’ll be at solving the crimes.
Teamwork: This game is best played in a group. Leverage the collective observational skills of your team. Different players might notice different details, so it’s essential to communicate effectively.
Process of Elimination: Use the process of elimination to narrow down your options. If a clue doesn’t fit with the rest of the information you’ve gathered, it might be a red herring.

Beginner Tips for ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’

Pace Yourself: Don’t rush through the game. Take your time to observe and absorb the details of the game’s intricate illustrations.
Use the Magnifying Glass: The game comes with a magnifying glass. Use it to spot those harder-to-see details.
Work Together: Make sure to involve everyone in the group. The more eyes and perspectives, the better.

Common mistakes to avoid in ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’

Jumping to Conclusions: Avoid jumping to conclusions based on a single clue. Always gather as many clues as possible before attempting to solve the crime.
Ignoring Small Details: Every detail in the illustrations can be a potential clue. Ignoring these can lead to missed opportunities to solve the crime.
Poor Communication: In group play, failing to share observations and insights can hinder progress. Always communicate efficiently.

Optimizing Gameplay in ‘MicroMacro: Crime City – Full House’

Regular Breaks: The game can be intense, so take regular breaks to rest your eyes and refresh your mind.
Rotate Roles: In group play, rotate the role of the ‘main investigator’ among players. This ensures everyone gets a chance to lead and keeps the game dynamic.
Keep Track of Clues: Make a note of the clues you find. This will be helpful in piecing together the crime scenario.