Victorian Masterminds
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.1 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
Victorian Masterminds imagines a world where Sherlock Holmes is dead, and players take on the role of villainous masterminds unleashing chaos across an unprotected Europe. Sending henchmen, each with unique steampunk-flavored abilities, to different cities, you'll gather materials, destroy buildings, and complete nefarious missions, all while the Secret Service tracks your path of destruction. Designed by Antoine Bauza and Eric M. Lang, the game uses a distinctive worker-placement system where three tokens on a space trigger sequential activation, and asymmetric contraptions give every player a different strategic identity. A sudden-death ending keeps tension high until the very last placement.
Hobbli's Notes
With two heavyweight designers behind it, Victorian Masterminds delivers clever asymmetric worker placement, the first-in-first-out activation on shared spaces is a neat twist that rewards careful timing. The 'play as villains' theme is a fun inversion of typical detective games. The sudden-death ending can feel abrupt if you're not tracking the pace closely, and newer players may need a game or two to fully grasp each character's unique contraption.
What we like
- Asymmetric player powers from acclaimed designers Bauza and Lang.
- Clever first-in-first-out worker activation mechanism.
- Fun villain-themed twist on the detective genre.
- Sudden-death ending keeps late-game tension high.
Keep in mind
- Sudden-death timing can catch inattentive players off guard.
- Asymmetric contraptions require a learning session to fully appreciate.
- Theme lacks a strong narrative through-line beyond mission cards.
Who it's for
Good for worker-placement fans ages 14+ who enjoy asymmetric powers and steampunk villain themes, in groups of 2-4.
