Review Details

Mr. Jack

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on December 4, 2008):

This game is a head-to-head contest that had us engrossed for three rounds the first night we opened it up. My wife and I play most often alone, so great 2 player games - or even decent ones - get a lot of play.

Basic gist: one player is the Inspector, one is Jack (or knows who he is, at least). There are 8 characters on the board to begin, one of which is Jack. Both players get the chance to move all 8 characters over the course of a few rounds. The Jack player is trying to make it difficult to narrow down the question, while trying to have the real Jack escape from the board (or just last to the final round, uncaptured), while the Inspector player is trying to eliminate suspects and capture Jack.

This description really does the game no justice. Each of the 8 characters has a special "power", and they interact with each other and the city (specifically the lights) in ways that make it easier or harder to determine if they are Jack. After 3 plays, we still have no idea of what the best strategy is - which bodes well for the game in our collection. The 4 star verdict is based on the fact that we will need a few more plays before making a final judgement. Right now, what Mr. Jack is, is a tense, mindbending contest between the two of us. It is wonderfully strategic to the point of "analysis paralysis".

My recommendation for the first few games is to play "open handed" so that you both discuss the options and best moves until you get a hand of the mechanics and strategies. Even as novices, we had a great - and notably tense - time.

A few more plays, and I think it may edge into "5 star" range.

Good Luck.




I have played only 3 games of this one so far, but it looks to be a keeper.