Detective: City of Angels - The Best Crime-Solving Board Game?

[@DensetsuVII]

3:59 "You could drive there, but that takes your entire day!" - LA Resident here, this is accurate to life.

[@climbon321]

The murder was west of the 405? Ehhh, I'm going to let them get away with it.

[@FatBat65]

@@climbon321 same but east

[@gabrielbloopbla8091]

Geologist here! Gem plasma does not exist! Most (if not all, looking at you Cubic Zirconium) gems are defined as minerals, meaning that as part of their definition they must be defined solids with specific chemical formulas and atomic arrangements. A gem turned to a plasma would lose that atomic arrangement meaning it is no longer a defined solid so it is no longer a mineral and therefore not a gem! This being said, some “gems” or minerals are pliant, they have defined chemical formulas but can have different elements swap in and out of those structures and so can be crazy different colors and types! An example is corundum which can be blue, red, pink, even white-yellow but still be the same “kind of gem!” Hope I helped ruin this joke!

[@reallyidrathernot.134]

I trust this answer as they can't help themselves but say some related facts just because they love them. What's Cubic Zirconium got going on to buck that trend?

[@AlexRechevskiy]

Sometimes, I love the internet.

[@richardmoore5347]

Commenting to hear about why Cubic Zirconium is weird.

[@timothynichols186]

Another geologist here! Came here to say this but Gabriel did it way better. Please consider this a peer review. 👍

[@TheClassicWorld]

That's pretty obvious, just from a linguistic standpoint. A gem is a gem due to its 'gem-like' nature, so it naturally cannot be a plasma.

[@ashleyturner6644]

That Seagull has tremendous comedic timing

[@necogreendragon]

Most do. It's one of their genetic markers.

[@maxwellraver4672]

@@necogreendragon was gonna say pretty much this exact thing

[@necogreendragon]

@@maxwellraver4672 Great minds do think alike.

[@severian9475]

The cricket couldn’t make it to the beach so the seagull had to cover for him.

[@dylanbrannon9673]

"Big knife" might be the hardest I've laughed out loud at a SUSD video. Brilliant delivery Tom.

[@muskyoxes]

"What made you think you could get away with this murder?" "Well, the cops only had time to ask three questions, and they kept hiding information from each other just to advance their petty careers."

[@alastairbishop2450]

...and in the game.

[@Rodrogiar]

The ace attorney argument shown being the dumbest boy alive workout argument got a good long chuckle from me lol

[@Kungfujoe1110]

You beat me to it, but here's a link to the Pretty Good ep for those who don't know. Strong language cw I'm sure: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3amm52Cg6aCmpY

[@FictionRaider007]

This review convinced me to put this game on my list and I finally got it. I've played the first three cases in Solo mode (intended to run it as the Chisel for some friends later) and I'm having a blast. I do have some notes on Case 3 which you brought up though below. (MINOR SPOILERS): Heist to Nowhere (Case 3) is actually really fascinating since you're looking for stolen money rather than solving a murder. It's biggest failing - like any of the cases really - is that some suspects are far more valuable to talk to than others. Your friend's sheet tells me they spent a lot of time talking to the guy who can give you only two clues and can give you a lot of false info, especially in a case where solving the crime isn't the key, finding the missing money is. As for solving the case, you can totally just chance into finding it by searching the right location, brute forcing it, but there is actually a hidden feature in one of the clues which if you ignore all the text and just look at the art tells you where to look. When I found that and got the money on the first try it was the smartest the game made me feel. And that's not even mentioning a second crime takes place DURING the investigation and if you confront them with the right card you have the opportunity to arrest the culprit, moving them from their usual location to the nearest police station. There's no added reward for doing it, you can still only "win" by finding the money, but the fact it's even in there blew me away and made me realize this game was special, especially since it was already pulling stunts like this on me in just the third case. I'm plowing through it and seriously considering the expansions if it continues to impress. Can easily see it doing what you said and pushing things past the "breaking point" and causing you to run into things in the wrong order which breaks whatever twist or thrill it was setting up becoming more common, but I think the fun factor when it works outweighs any of the possible drawbacks.

[@talon6274]

Loved the review, Quinns is getting a lot of mileage out of that trenchcoat.

[@Quinns_Quest]

I think I've worn it for every game setting between the years of 1918 and 1990

[@luigiscazzari4724]

The awkward silence at the end was perfect

[@andrewlawson7589]

Hahaha

[@AshleyTheSwift]

"A games master. Or a games master who hates you. So a games master." The best jokes always have that kernel of truth and this one hit hard. I hate my wonderful players.

[@gothamcity4043]

Someone dies. Random detective: whoever finds the killer gets all the donuts; ready? Go...

[@terriblegames]

This looks wonderful. Quints always brings so much enthusiasm to these reviews, a joy to watch.

[@dapperloser3025]

4:39 Even if i never find the right folks to play this game i might buy it just to overuse that noir glossary

[@jasonc2784]

The joy and excitement you guys portray during your reviews is why I keep coming back. I've seen reviews of this game elsewhere and knew it was good, but your word tipped me into purchase mode. Thank you again.

[@lopezmt5]

The awkward silence and then the seagulls squawking that sounded like laughter at the end was too funny.

[@pheregames]

Still one of my favorite games of all time. I've brought so many friends in for a random game night to join veterans and the mechanics allowed everyone to fully understand what they could do. I get to play as the chisel and it's great to play this multiple times.

[@bamiballetje]

Do you go for the classic mode or for the co-op mode. Curious on your experiences on that front.

[@z-beeblebrox]

This both sounds like a really fun game, and is also an incredibly accurate depiction of the LAPD

[@valkilmerscareer2884]

Van Ryder Games has become my favorite games company through the course of the lock down between This, Hostage negotiator and Final girl. They really gave me some amazing solo adventuring at a time where I was all alone

[@novatheorem]

Final Girl is out?

[@infinitec1]

I absolutely love this! The personality of your reviews with all of the expressions, metaphors, and analogies always makes for good watching regardless of the quality of the game in question.

[@golgarisoul]

I love all the detective related boardgames you've been covering as of late! Cheers.

[@tinstargames]

This is the best version of the "solve it yourself" genre ever. My game of the decade.

[@brettpetersen1671]

I love this game, it is the game that convinced me that I could like solo games. I have had more fun playing each case first solo than playing with friends. I give it an A+

[@richardsaunders9214]

This game is fantastic and is one of my favorite coop games: that's right, we don't play with the Chisel.

[@peterclarke7240]

I like the sound of that. Just playing with Dicks. A veritable Dick-fest, if you will. 😂

[@WeAreGamersYTube]

I thoroughly enjoy playing poker against myself.

[@relativelyboard9959]

funny, I was watching this review and wondering if this would be better without the chisel becauseI would not want to play with that role.

[@SmoggySandwich]

How do you play it without the Chisel?

[@fireant202]

@@SmoggySandwich In the review he mentions there's both a solo and co-op mode included in the rule book.

[@drone9]

On bgg there is a suggested variant for five playing with two teams of two detectives each. Consensus seems to be that this significantly improves the five player vs experience.

[@Wookien]

We did this, but found that the players didn't communicate with their teammate in fear that the other team might hear what they were talking about. It was a horrible experience.as a horrible experience. We played the intro mission. It took ca horrible experience.

[@jeffhoward1423]

@@Wookien It seems like that would be an easy fix. Communicate in the next room or by writing.

[@duckduckgamed2565]

Great review of a great game. I’ve been playing solo each case just, really helps to run the game with others after. But it’s a weird take on film noir in this review, a genre that has some of the most complex female characters on the screen and some incredible female creators/performers (Barbara Stanwyck, Ida Lupino). In fact, because of the genre trappings, film noir allowed for much more multidimensional characterization than some other, more straight ahead Hollywood fare.

[@crash331]

You guys need to start giving publishers a heads up when you review an older game that doesn’t have a print run coming soon. :D

[@Skarpo89]

Isn't it available at the Van Ryder page? I thought it was

[@ROYBGP]

Fuck them.

[@jasonact]

I love this game. I consider it the best Kickstarted game I've ever backed, and that's saying something. I love playing the solo version, but the classic play with the Chisel as a gamemaster is genius. Great game.

[@K3end0]

Personally, I think this game should have been called Dicks: City of Fedoras, but that's besides the point.

[@singularrookhart7501]

As a film noir fan (I took a course at a university... over 20 years ago... 😃😐😪)I have been anticipating/dreading this review. And, God damnit... its good. Well, there goes that cash 💸

[@bryannothem1505]

If you love Noir, it's perfect game

[@HunnehBunneh]

One of my favorite games on my shelf! Great review as always.

[@EncourageFaith]

Great video! Very helpful in deciding between this game and Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective.

[@MvnBF]

hair is on point, looking good detective Quinn’s

[@onlyashes89]

Playing The Chisel sounds very much like being a Dungeon Master in Dungeons & Dragons, particularly in the “not necessarily antagonistic” aspect of it, and in some ways feeling rewarding to actually give a player a clue and watching as the penny drops and they suss out a lead. I stumbled onto this review by complete chance, and will definitely be buying a copy of this game as it aligns with so many of my interests. Thank you very much for the honest review, and the great entertainment value.

[@howardgreenwich490]

"its like a piece of literature giving you a wedgie" - OMFG that is brilliant.

[@kelsibielen8539]

2nd that. It somehow made so much sense to me, but I can’t describe why with words.

[@cliffhughes6010]

This is the best review ever. I've got Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective and I do enjoy it... But now I'm asking for Detective: City of Angels for Christmas. Here's hoping.

[@adavis5926]

You guys...with your enthusiasm and wit, I end up wanting to buy everything you like. I...can't...help...myself.

[@jack-xf6il]

The seagull at the end really caught the mood! :)

[@artstsym]

Very kind of you to assume how few plastic fedoras I own.

[@Moley1Moleo]

Gems are typically solid crystals, brittle due to low mobility of the atoms. Plasma has gone beyond the gaseous stage of vaporising all the atoms and having them float around, to stripping away the electrons so they float around too. The atoms are extremely mobile. So a gem-plasma seems like a contradiction, as you'd literally evaporate away the crystalline structure that defines the gem. For a pliable crystaline structure, that would normally be metals, which are technically crystals (according to how physicists define crystal), but many of them can cope with bending much better than gems typically would. I'm tempted to say Bismuth is a good fit here, which is a metal and also is thought of as a gem. However, Bismuth is usually brittle! After a bit of searching, it seems that researchers in 2017 made some unique copper (II) acetylacetonate crystals that are flexible. So there you have it. Detective: City of Angels is like copper (II) acetylacetonate crystals.

[@Tamali01]

I just found your channel. Just brilliant, definitely new subscriber! Thank you.

[@n0chabizniz]

One of your best videos ever. And that is a high bar.

[@TonyE727]

Now we get to wait on their obligatory Cthulhu expansion

[@DualKeys]

Excuse you, I happen to think Consulting Detective is very fun! Especially if you’re playing with a group who will collaborate well together instead of having to rely on whose turn it is to make decisions. One person’s combing through the newspaper, one’s scouring the map, and another is reading the book while you all try to figure it out.

[@TaylorMurch]

Agree with this. My friends and I don't even do turns.

[@adilmajid8785]

Hahaha "like a piece of literature giving you a wedgie". I don't think there is a better description for that game lol. I'd like to change the BGG description to that lol

[@indianajon7980]

I'm really tempted to get this! Loved consulting detective but I was definitely not smart enough!

[@Asylumrunner8]

the sublime delivery on "beeeeg knife!"

[@prinnydood]

At 1:32 I checked all of my open programs to see what made that notification sound.

[@jacforswear18]

Can't wait for Cosmo's "What kind of girl are you: Innocent, Manipulative, or Dead?" quiz!

[@dgcenteno]

LoL! Love Quints speaking in spanish with sexy voice: “Expansioness” haha!

[@timoseppa9124]

Thanks. Always such a fun watch plus good info.

[@AndreWDYounitedRevolution]

I know why I'm a SUSD fanboy. I knew you were gonna like this game before you even liked the game! pow! no seriously: this IS by far the best ever produced crime-solving board game. You get sooo much gameplay in just the core box. This game will NEVER leave my shelf

[@mysterwhymedia]

15:23 After having played "Heist to Nowhere" tonight, I agree - but I was far more disappointed with how the story and solution for "Bloody Christmas", which is the case that immediately follows "Heist to Nowhere" if the cases are played in order. I got pissed off with "Bloody Christmas" when I asked Character A about Character B, A claimed to not know B and have had no interaction with B, I challenged because I thought that character was lying, I got dinged by the chisel...and then the epilogue revealed that Character A *DID* have an interaction with B! Granted, I don't know if learning that A *DID* know B that that would've necessarily helped me solve the case as their connection proved to be inconsequential...but because I was led to think that A did not know B, I then thought B had really nothing to do with the mystery at hand, and so I ran with another theory entirely...and then B turned out to be the murderer! That was just BS. ...ah...well...I hope the remaining cases turn out better than that.

[@ConradCowlrick]

great review. Solid laughs at that opener - always a joy

[@chemdent421]

Every time Tom showed up I was waiting for the pythonesque "You want to come back to my place?"

[@maticf6513]

That's a wonderful review guys. The comedy in here is just brilliant :)

[@Crs9072]

At 17:35 you say that the Chisel announces to the whole table how many of the three things were correct. This is not correct. The Chisel only marks it on the paper and gives it back to the player, so no other detectives know how many they got right.

[@Whitebeardcrewmate]

Been playing this for the past few days. What a game! It's getting me into the hardboiled genre of literature

[@gojomoso]

“Hungry hungry for homicides” lololol

[@Phe0nix1986]

That seagull! So well timed

[@redsands1001]

Oh nice. Have this from the original kickstarter and it went down well with those I've played it with

[@Rayalda]

Thank you for another great review! I originally dismissed this game because of the competitive nature of the crime solving. I have seen other reviews, that didn't persuade me, but this one actually made me curious to try the game :)

[@mortaneus]

This game is fantastic. Having tried most of the other major detective boardgames out there, this is by far the best one.

[@TheOnlyTata]

Look up Awkward Guests. Bloody amazing and generates random cases that have you going A-ha and even if you lose you can trace where you went wrong to get better.

[@gir73]

I can't wait to go from owning 0 fedoras to owning 32. Oh and also the murder part!

[@TokuAndAnimationNewsNetwork]

This board game really interests me as a Film Noir fan, but it does seem a tad overly complicated, so I don't know. I kind of want it still though. Great video.

[@Wookien]

This game is great in solo mode. Less good in coop we found. Great in classical mode

[@mysterwhymedia]

I’m back once more after completing the last two cases with a group of friends and I just have to say these two cases were fantastic - AND after a streak of losses, I was ecstatic to crack both back to back!!! The Black King is especially well written and is in line with the kind of mystery story that I had wanted this game to offer. If you play through the first couple of cases and get frustrated thinking the stories are bogus, I encourage you to stick with it ‘til the end as it keeps getting better and better. (Except for that “Bloody Christmas” case, of course. I still think that story was wack…)

[@jeffmcarthur5617]

I've been considering buying this one up until now. Aaaand sold!

[@Sifd]

16:15 I was expecting some kind of pinned comment from one of the answers :(

[@Nostradamuzzzz]

Loved the review. Abit dissapointed that the end of the video wasnt in black and white😅😅

[@denisjalusic1504]

Hilarious. The ending made me really laugh out loud 🤣

[@spaztekwarrior]

I have a list of games I would like to get, with a subsection called ‘stupidly expensive board games’ and this is at the top of that list. :) Looks great :)

[@jason-sp8nb]

I love the detective stuff like Sherlock Holmes I'm getting this game

[@jgregveneklasen2657]

Consulting Detective is "like a piece of literature giving you a wedgie", brilliant simile!! (and I'll still buy it)

[@PandaZen2]

So now I want a Noir show starring Quinns…

[@hardyworld]

15:45 The epic "how many days are in a week" argument. I see you. Jon Bois immortalized you. I'll see you around.

[@KindredBrujah]

Jon Bois as in the guy who does the sports statistics videos? My life may well be complete if he also does video game breakdowns.

[@KindredBrujah]

Ah, I see. I have very much missed the cultural nuance of that Phoenix Wright clip. I am now suitably educated.

[@chrisdimery7694]

You know right away this game is good when you see a half asleep Quinns wearing a hoodie and pulling a thumbs up.

[@willtuck]

SUSD is brought to you by Van Ryder Games. Van Ryder Games: IT'S IN THE GAME!

[@kanoodles1140]

I get home from buying 2 more board games for my collection and then this drops in my feed...

[@patrickwall6316]

You and me both and I bought it within 1 minute of seeing this review 😬😬

[@kanoodles1140]

@@patrickwall6316 definitely going to add this one too. Just need some shelf space.

[@geneinkc]

I feel like this game was meant to be the analog implementation of L.A. Noire.

[@greensleevez]

I believe they say so in the rulebook.

[@brianbaker3731]

Yes, the dialog system in LA Noire was a huge inspiration for the game.

[@maxmustermann9036]

I backed it, was super happy about it for a day or two but it fell apart in both solo and classic mode for us pretty soon. First of all: I found the writing to be suuuuuper cheesy. Very forced noir style writing while it never felt openly ironic. I wasn't sure if the writing was supposed to add comedy value or actually suck you into a film noir setting. In solo mode you need to focus on the quality of the cases a lot more and as pointed out by our boy Q it's super hit and miss ("not fair"). It's the kind of randomness I just can't enjoy. I played as the chisle, too but my group was more interested in solving the cases than they were in the ressource management aspect of it and if that sounds like you, oh boy, this is not the game for you. Also the one time I played a classic game not being the chisle I didn't feel like the ressource managament game was good enough to take up so much design space. Well, it wasn't really a game for me and my group and that's fine. We massively enjoy Sherlock Holmes which is a completely different beast. We also enjoyed Watson and Holmes a little bit. But unfortunately this, Modern Crime and Chronicles of Crime didn't do anything for us. The writing of the cases is just not good enough in either of these imo.

[@KindredBrujah]

Not sure how this super-helpful comment has failed to get any likes yet, but you may have mine.

[@Reliken]

Can someone help offer pros and cons of Detective: City of Angels compared to Hostage Negotiator: Career?

[@jorns3840]

Great opening... Epic... 😅👍🥳

[@ScarletNinja623]

Tom and Quinns in the same physical space? What is this, a crossover episode?

[@jacqland]

The indulgeant feeling of having so much game all to yourself is how I feel about Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island. Which is good because that game is WAY more fun solo, imo.

[@EugeneGodunov]

Absolutely wonderful review

[@davidbreault3283]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if you maybe had a playlist of your lists somewhere? Like top fives or company wide games etc

[@Armature01]

Just played it for the first time this weekend past and it was a blast!

[@bamiballetje]

I'm really wondering about the difference in experience between co-op and classic mode. If someone has played both, would love to know your insights.

[@bahasainggeris7884]

I found it interesting that SU&SD mentioned Dreadful Circus (published by Portal Games), but did not compare the Detective series by Portal.

[@c.w.2000]

This game has been on my “shelf of opportunity” for 2 years. I was waiting to play it with more people, but I am definitely breaking it out to play with my spouse and maybe solo by the end of this year. That might not be optimal, but I have seen other reviews that say it is pretty good solo or two-played, and this review renewed my interest. I’m glad I have it, because it seems to be mostly sold out here in Canada.

[@TheClassicWorld]

Do you ever just sit and wonder to yourself, 'I need plastic fedoras?' ... ... Yeah, me neither. But, I need to buy this one!

[@kevinalford]

I late backed that one, and I'm really happy about it.

[@bursty2464]

He's definitely not an electricians.

[@narvuntien]

In general, I am not a big fan of this kind of Ameritrash game but this was definitely one of the better ones.

[@porqpine53]

Man I loved LA Noire this looks like it was really scratch that itch

[@EWrayB]

With every passing day Quinns resembles Richard E Grant more and more

[@tgeorgom]

The only question is, how it compares to cluedo?

[@seraphimipx2611]

“nobody becomes a board game reviewer because it’s easy.” :D

[@evankerns9503]

Great review!

[@NicoPertici]

I'm a simple man, i see Dutrait i click "add to cart"

[@kpishnery]

watch your shirt buttons, quinns..