Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.8 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
Set in 1895 London after a bombing at the Houses of Parliament, Holmes: Sherlock & Mycroft pits two players against each other as Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes race to solve, or conceal, the truth behind the attack. Over seven turns, famous characters from Arthur Conan Doyle's stories appear on the board, and each player moves three action tokens between them to trigger special abilities, never leaving two tokens on the same character. Freeing up a character to reuse it becomes a key tactical decision as both players compete for evidence cards and investigation tokens. Because the order characters appear is randomized game to game, the puzzle of when to strike changes every playthrough. It's a tight 30-minute duel built on hand management, drafting, and worker placement.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editors rate this as one of the better two-player-only worker placement duels: the fixed number of turns and blocked character spaces create real tension around timing. The Sherlock Holmes theme is more than window dressing here; it genuinely shapes how the abilities and evidence-gathering feel. Because character appearance is randomized, replays stay fresh longer than you'd expect from such a compact box. It's a strong pick for couples or friends who want a smart, quick two-player game night.
What we like
- Tight two-player worker-placement duel with meaningful timing decisions.
- Randomized character appearance keeps each of the seven turns unpredictable.
- Quick 30-minute playtime with very low downtime.
- Strong Sherlock Holmes theme woven into character abilities.
- Blocking mechanic (no two tokens on one character) adds tactical bite.
Keep in mind
- Strictly limited to two players.
- Requires careful planning that may not suit very casual players.
- Some may find the historical mystery theme thinly expressed in play.
- Once patterns are learned, some opening strategies may become predictable.
Who it's for
Ideal for two players aged 10+ who enjoy tight strategy duels, mystery themes, and worker-placement games with a short, focused playtime.
