Quick
Look: 3 Secrets: Crime Time
Look: 3 Secrets: Crime Time
Designer: Martino Chiacchiera and Pierluca Zizzi
Publisher: DV Giochi
Year Published: 2019
No. of Players: 2–8
Ages: 14+
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes
Review
3
Secrets: Crime Time is very similar to 3 Secrets.
Secrets: Crime Time is very similar to 3 Secrets.
As
a team of investigators, you have a limited amount of time to uncover the
secrets of a particular scene you’re witness to. You have a supercomputer that
you can ask questions to, but the responses the computer can give are limited.
a team of investigators, you have a limited amount of time to uncover the
secrets of a particular scene you’re witness to. You have a supercomputer that
you can ask questions to, but the responses the computer can give are limited.
3
Secrets: Crime Time is a cooperative game of deduction. One player takes on the
role of the computer while everyone else works with them to solve the three mysteries depicted in the scene on the front of the card. The computer is the
only player who gets to look at the back of the card.
Secrets: Crime Time is a cooperative game of deduction. One player takes on the
role of the computer while everyone else works with them to solve the three mysteries depicted in the scene on the front of the card. The computer is the
only player who gets to look at the back of the card.
There
is also a variant of playing 2 teams against each other. This version still
requires 1 person to play the computer.
is also a variant of playing 2 teams against each other. This version still
requires 1 person to play the computer.
Like
the original 3 Secrets, there are seven levels of difficulty depicted across the 50
cards of the deck. They are identified by the color used on the front of the
cards to show the three clues to the secrets.
the original 3 Secrets, there are seven levels of difficulty depicted across the 50
cards of the deck. They are identified by the color used on the front of the
cards to show the three clues to the secrets.
We
tried a couple of the scenarios after playing 3 Secrets and gamers who have
played and enjoyed 3 Secrets will find this version a compatible set of new scenarios to play through. The biggest
difference is these are scenes of characters throughout recorded, and
prerecorded, history.
tried a couple of the scenarios after playing 3 Secrets and gamers who have
played and enjoyed 3 Secrets will find this version a compatible set of new scenarios to play through. The biggest
difference is these are scenes of characters throughout recorded, and
prerecorded, history.
Setup
Determine
the level of difficulty you want to play. Place a card with the color indicator
out where everyone can see the picture. Decide who is going to play the
computer. Give them time to read the back of the card. Start your timer.
the level of difficulty you want to play. Place a card with the color indicator
out where everyone can see the picture. Decide who is going to play the
computer. Give them time to read the back of the card. Start your timer.
Gameplay
Along
with the original two variants to the rules from 3 Secrets (with or without app),
there is now the option of playing a competitive team-versus-team option.
with the original two variants to the rules from 3 Secrets (with or without app),
there is now the option of playing a competitive team-versus-team option.
Cooperative
play
play
Everyone
is working together to uncover the three secrets of the depicted scene in the
picture.
is working together to uncover the three secrets of the depicted scene in the
picture.
The
computer is limited to giving 1 of 4 responses to questions asked: Yes, No, Not exactly, and It is irrelevant. They also have some clues they can
share, but depending on which variation you are playing dictates how that is
done. Players who like to be involved in
discussing the game are not well suited for playing the computer.
computer is limited to giving 1 of 4 responses to questions asked: Yes, No, Not exactly, and It is irrelevant. They also have some clues they can
share, but depending on which variation you are playing dictates how that is
done. Players who like to be involved in
discussing the game are not well suited for playing the computer.
The
rest of the players can pretty much do what they want, except look at the back
of the card. They can inspect the picture, discuss among themselves, ask
questions, or guess a secret.
rest of the players can pretty much do what they want, except look at the back
of the card. They can inspect the picture, discuss among themselves, ask
questions, or guess a secret.
With
the App
You
have a total of 15 minutes to figure out the three secrets of the scene. It might
be less because you are allotted five minutes for each secret. If you discover one
of the secrets before five minutes lapses, the app is tapped and the time starts
for the next secret.
have a total of 15 minutes to figure out the three secrets of the scene. It might
be less because you are allotted five minutes for each secret. If you discover one
of the secrets before five minutes lapses, the app is tapped and the time starts
for the next secret.
The
computer can also give one of the clues during the five minute segment. When they
do this action, the app is tapped for giving the clue and the remaining time is
halved.
computer can also give one of the clues during the five minute segment. When they
do this action, the app is tapped for giving the clue and the remaining time is
halved.
If
the five minutes runs out without a correct guess of one of the secrets, then the computer
reads one of the secrets. This takes it out of play for the rest of the game.
the five minutes runs out without a correct guess of one of the secrets, then the computer
reads one of the secrets. This takes it out of play for the rest of the game.
Without
the App
You
have 10 minutes to solve the mystery of the three secrets. The time is shorter
because clues are given differently, and you don’t have an automatic timer
working for you.
have 10 minutes to solve the mystery of the three secrets. The time is shorter
because clues are given differently, and you don’t have an automatic timer
working for you.
The
guessing, discussing, and questioning are all the same. It is the giving of the
clue from the computer that changes.
guessing, discussing, and questioning are all the same. It is the giving of the
clue from the computer that changes.
Every three minutes, the computer can read one of the clues to the rest of the team. There
is no docking of time.
is no docking of time.
When
Time Runs Out
Time Runs Out
Scoring
is done for everyone based on the number of secrets you identified. There is no
individual winner or loser, it’s all about capturing the criminal or did they
get away.
is done for everyone based on the number of secrets you identified. There is no
individual winner or loser, it’s all about capturing the criminal or did they
get away.
Competitive
Teams
Teams
This
variant allow the players, excluding the computer, to divide into teams. Turns
are taken back and forth between the teams until either a secret is guessed, or
time runs out.
variant allow the players, excluding the computer, to divide into teams. Turns
are taken back and forth between the teams until either a secret is guessed, or
time runs out.
Theme
and Mechanics
and Mechanics
Working
as a team, of one or two groups, to solve the secrets works well for this game
of deduction. Just like the original, the variation of the party game of 20
Questions with a timer keeps the pace moving along.
as a team, of one or two groups, to solve the secrets works well for this game
of deduction. Just like the original, the variation of the party game of 20
Questions with a timer keeps the pace moving along.
Artwork
and Components
and Components
The
artwork is maintained from the original of simple black and white drawings,
which works well to allow the players to see the details of the scene and the
highlighted clues to the secrets.
artwork is maintained from the original of simple black and white drawings,
which works well to allow the players to see the details of the scene and the
highlighted clues to the secrets.
The
cards are oversized, making it easier to read what is on the back.
cards are oversized, making it easier to read what is on the back.
The
Good
Good
- Option
of cooperative or team - Cabin
game: compact size easy to transport - Filler
game: limited time of play and really no setup
Final
Thoughts
Thoughts
This
is a good addition to the original 3 Secrets. The team rules can be used for
the original. The style of the game hasn’t changed and the players who liked
the original game felt comfortable with the new scenarios.
is a good addition to the original 3 Secrets. The team rules can be used for
the original. The style of the game hasn’t changed and the players who liked
the original game felt comfortable with the new scenarios.
Because
the new scenarios are more historical in nature, there was a little more
struggle on one of the scenarios we played. You have to remember what era you
are supposed to be playing in.
the new scenarios are more historical in nature, there was a little more
struggle on one of the scenarios we played. You have to remember what era you
are supposed to be playing in.
Players
Who Like
Who Like
- Crime
Time - 20
questions - Deduction
- Cooperative
gaming - Solving
crimes
Check out 3 Secrets: Crime Time on
Daniel Yocom – Reviewer
Daniel Yocom does geeky things by night because his day job won’t let him. This dates back to the 1960s through games, books, movies, and stranger things better shared in small groups. He’s written hundreds of articles about these topics for his own blog, other websites, and magazines along with stories, after extensive research. His research includes attending conventions, sharing on panels and presentations, and road-tripping with his wife. Join in the geeky fun at guildmastergaming@blogspot.com.
