Scotland Yard Master

About this board game

Scotland Yard Master is a deduction and pursuit game for 2–6 players, with sessions lasting about 45 minutes. One player becomes Mr. X, while the remaining players work together as detectives to capture him across a map of London.

Mr. X moves from point to point using taxis, buses, and subways. His mode of transportation is nearly always revealed, but his exact location is disclosed only at certain points during the game, giving the detectives a trail of partial information to interpret.

This 2013 version of the 1983 Spiel des Jahres-winning Scotland Yard adds six game elements. Four are included in a free iOS and Android app that gives the detectives limited tools for narrowing down Mr. X’s position.

• Radio towers provide a rough sense of Mr. X’s location, with colored radio waves indicating whether he is close to each tower.
• A 3D board view offers another way to examine the map.
• Detectives can ask building witnesses whether they have recently seen Mr. X.
• Pass-and-play supports shared-device play, while a self-generated PIN helps prevent detectives from accidentally seeing Mr. X’s location.
• Mr. X gains the Helicopter action.
• Mr. X also gains the Sabotage action.

With one player concealing their movements and the detectives acting in concert, every known ticket and location clue can shape the next search. Scotland Yard Master combines hidden information, route planning, and coordinated investigation in a modernized pursuit through London.