Quick
Look: 3 Secrets
Look: 3 Secrets
Designer: Martino Chiacchiera and Pierluca Zizzi
Publisher: DV Giochi
Year Published: 2017
No. of Players: 2–8
Ages: 14+
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes
Publisher: DV Giochi
Year Published: 2017
No. of Players: 2–8
Ages: 14+
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes
Review
As
a team of detectives you have to work fast, uncovering the secrets of the case
before the criminal can get away. One advantage you have is one of your team is
an undercover agent. They can supply information, but it is has to be done
carefully so their cover isn’t blown.
a team of detectives you have to work fast, uncovering the secrets of the case
before the criminal can get away. One advantage you have is one of your team is
an undercover agent. They can supply information, but it is has to be done
carefully so their cover isn’t blown.
3
Secrets is a cooperative game of deduction. One player takes on the role of the
undercover agent while everyone else works with them to solve the three mysteries
depicted in the scene on the front of the card. The undercover agent is the
only player who gets to look at the back of the card. Everyone is working
together, but the role of the undercover agent is different (as explained in
Gameplay below).
Secrets is a cooperative game of deduction. One player takes on the role of the
undercover agent while everyone else works with them to solve the three mysteries
depicted in the scene on the front of the card. The undercover agent is the
only player who gets to look at the back of the card. Everyone is working
together, but the role of the undercover agent is different (as explained in
Gameplay below).
With four players, we took on a couple of investigations of differing levels of
difficulty. It probably would be easier with more players because you have more
brains working on solving the case.
difficulty. It probably would be easier with more players because you have more
brains working on solving the case.
There
are seven levels of difficulty identified on the 50 cards. They are identified by
the color used on the front of the cards to show the three clues to the secrets.
For some it was a challenge to stay focused on what we were trying to learn,
but luckily there is a response for the undercover agent to help with that.
are seven levels of difficulty identified on the 50 cards. They are identified by
the color used on the front of the cards to show the three clues to the secrets.
For some it was a challenge to stay focused on what we were trying to learn,
but luckily there is a response for the undercover agent to help with that.
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 be the
undercover agent. 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 be the
undercover agent. Give them time to read the back of the card. Start your
timer.
Gameplay
There
are two set of rules. One is based on using an app you can download, the other
doesn’t use it. No matter which way you play there are common points that
apply.
are two set of rules. One is based on using an app you can download, the other
doesn’t use it. No matter which way you play there are common points that
apply.
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
undercover agent 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 version 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 secret agent.
undercover agent 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 version 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 secret agent.
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 amongst 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 amongst 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
secret agent can also give one of the clues during the 5 minute segment. When
they do this action the app is tapped for giving the clue and the remaining
time is halved.
secret agent can also give one of the clues during the 5 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
undercover agent 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
undercover agent reads one of the secrets. This takes it out of play for the
rest of the game.
Without
the App
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 undercover agent that changes.
guessing, discussing, and questioning are all the same. It is the giving of the
clue from the undercover agent that changes.
Every three minutes, the undercover agent can read one of the clues to the rest of the
team. There is no docking of time.
team. There 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 not.
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 not.
Theme
and Mechanics
Working
as a team of detectives fits very well for a cooperative game of deduction.
Creating a variation of the party game of 20 Questions by moving it into a
timed event keeps the pace excitingly intense. Everyone playing needed to stay
focused on the scenario because the timer seems to move very quickly while
playing.
as a team of detectives fits very well for a cooperative game of deduction.
Creating a variation of the party game of 20 Questions by moving it into a
timed event keeps the pace excitingly intense. Everyone playing needed to stay
focused on the scenario because the timer seems to move very quickly while
playing.
Artwork
and Components
and Components
The
artwork is simple black and white drawings, which work well for allowing to see
the details of the scene and the highlighted clues to the secrets.
artwork is simple black and white drawings, which work well for allowing 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
- Everyone
is working together - Cabin
game: compact size easy to transport - Filler
game: limited time of play and really no setup
Final
Thoughts
Thoughts
The
challenge of solving the higher difficulty scenarios was tough, but not so much
as to make it no longer fun. For the clues we weren’t able to figure out, it
was interesting to find out what they were and how they all tied together.
challenge of solving the higher difficulty scenarios was tough, but not so much
as to make it no longer fun. For the clues we weren’t able to figure out, it
was interesting to find out what they were and how they all tied together.
If
you have a gaming group that has good memories, and you enjoy this style of
game, then you will want to check out the other installments of the 3 Secrets
line. We even had someone talking about making some of their own to see if they
could challenge the rest of the group.
you have a gaming group that has good memories, and you enjoy this style of
game, then you will want to check out the other installments of the 3 Secrets
line. We even had someone talking about making some of their own to see if they
could challenge the rest of the group.
Players
Who Like
Who Like
- 20
question - Deduction
- Cooperative
gaming - Solving
crimes
Check out 3 Secrets 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.
