HIGHLIGHTS AMONG GAMES
MR. JACK
Whitechapel at the crack of dawn
Dear reader! Mr. Jack! The name commemorates the presumptive serial killer Jack the Ripper, who murdered five prostitutes in the East End of London in 1888 and brutishly mutilated them. Legends have ranked themselves around the identity of this slaughterer who could never be unmasked.
Conspiracy theories have flowered and popular attempts at explanations are still voiced today, more than one hundred and thirty years after the murders. Films, books, comics, games - all genres of art have picked up the topic of Jack the Ripper. And the excellent, asymmetric deduction by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc integrates itself nearly seamlessly into the fascination with this crime. But this is not all, “Mr. Jack” was an “instant success” and the publisher nearly as instantly decided to follow up this success with an expansion featuring new characters. This was a laudable decision in this case, because this makes the eternal hunt for the Ripper even more challenging and diverse. Another two years later, “Mr. Jack in New York” was published; a sprout with an atypical topic, but even more challenging in its demand for tactical comprehension and providing a rise of nearly 50% in the chances of Mr. Jack to evade his pursuers. The hymns of praise from the reviewers once again confirm the creative potential of this designer team. In 2010 a pocket version of the game was published, which surprisingly provided a high degree of individuality, a lot of flair and top components. Furthermore, “Mr. Jack Pocket” offers an easy entry into the tight “Whitechapel at the crack of dawn”. You want to join into this hunt for the culprit? Then get yourself to the Österreichisches Spiele Museum.
Our lamp illuminates a bleak and gloomy corner of London’s East End: Whitechapel. It is populated by eight characters, and of them embodies Evil. His name: Mr. Jack. But this criminal is very cunningly hiding among the other characters, some of whom represent limitary or historically verified personalities: Sherlock Holmes, John H. Watson, John Smith, Police Inspector Lestrade, Miss Stealthy, Sergeant Goodley, Sir William Gull and Jeremy Bert. Each of those characters has very special abilities and those abilities can be adroitly used by both the Inspector and the Miscreant. Aim of the pursuer is to detain Mr. Jack before the end of eight rounds of the game, and the hope of the culprit contrarily is, the escape his pursuer in the narrow maze of Whitechapel’s lanes. Round for round Mr. Jack must leave hints for the Inspector and round for round the list of suspects gets shorter. The net tightens slowly, but at the same time more and more of the gas lights go out - and maybe the escape from Whitechapel succeeds at the crack of dawn, provided Mr. Jack was not spotted in the previous round by any of the witnesses and so was able to successfully escape the sallow shine of the street lights. The hut is over in less than half an hour and, regardless of who ended this cat-and-mouse-play, the wish for a return game with switched roles is unavoidable. Allow me to cite one experience from countless hunts in Whitechapel: The role of Mr. Jack is the more difficult one, especially in the core game, albeit accompanied rubbing your hands with glee when you manage to lead the Inspector a merry dance. This is partly possible due to adroit directing of the characters into the light of the street lamps, partly also due to bluffing, for instance with intentional placing a main suspect into the background. The Inspector is forced to react, looses a lot of time and in the end must stand by helplessly watching Jack taking flight. The fate of the real Jack the Ripper is repeated on the board. Case unsolved!
Comments to: hugo.kastner@chello.at
Homepage: www.hugo-kastner.at
RECOMMENDATION # 79
Players: 2
Age: 9+
Designer: Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc
Time: 30+
Price: ca. 25 Euro
Year: 2006
Publisher: Hurrican
Tactic: 3 von 9
Info±: 4 von 9
Chance: 2 von 9
In this hunt for the culprit information is only handed over to the Inspector in tiny portions and with a bit of luck too late so that he cannot avert the escape of Mr. Jack. All the same, you need a good amount of tactical abilities, especially in the New York edition, if you want to make optimum use of the board.
Hugos EXPERT TIP
For an introduction into the game you should start with the pocket edition or the core edition of “Mr. Jack”. In these games the tactical possibilities are not as manifold as on the New York board. Furthermore, I recommend analyzing the eight characters you will use very carefully and closely before you start the game.
Hugos FLASHLIGHT
During the game it gets gloomier and gloomier in Whitechapel, as the scarce street lights fade out one by one in the notorious district. Should no witness present itself, Jack the Ripper can grab the moment to escape. Excellent components, a richly illustrated rules booklet, laid-back artwork, a high arc of suspense and lots of different scenarios, Mr. Jack is really a hit for two players! What more can you expect?
PREVIEW
ORBIT
Circling a Black Hole