The Animals of Baker Street

The Animals of Baker Street is a charming and engaging cooperative game that has quickly become a favorite in our household. The premise of animal detectives solving mysteries in a whimsical setting immediately captured our attention, and the game's execution truly delivers on that promise.

The game is beautifully designed with charming illustrations and a clever narrative. The writing, by Clémentine Beauvais, is witty and engaging, making the characters and their situations feel truly unique. We especially appreciate the clever use of animal abilities, which adds a strategic element to the gameplay.

While the game is cooperative, it's also highly interactive. Players have to work together to choose their paths, collect information, and ultimately solve the mystery. The pacing is perfect, with just enough time pressure to keep things interesting. The game's difficulty scales well, with the first few cases being accessible for younger players and the later cases offering a more challenging experience.

We found the game to be enjoyable for a wide range of ages. My 10-year-old son, who sometimes has trouble focusing on longer games, was completely captivated by the story and the characters. Even though he couldn't read all the cards himself, he was able to follow the narrative and contribute to the investigation. My husband and I also enjoyed playing together, and found the game to be a great way to spend a relaxing evening.

Our only real complaint is that the game is somewhat limited in terms of replayability. The mysteries are fun to solve the first time, but after a few plays, the novelty might wear off. However, this is a minor quibble. Overall, The Animals of Baker Street is a delightful and highly recommended game for families and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.