Mortum: Medieval Detective Board Game Review

A group of agents from the Dark Age find themselves caught up in the turmoil of Mortum, a fantasy world, as they investigate a sudden and mysterious murder. If you are someone who loves to immerse yourself in crime and mystery games, then this deduction and adventure game is an absolute must-try for you. 

Players: 1-6 Players  |   Time: 120-180 Minutes   |  Ages: 14+

“Only you and the choices you make decide how the events will unfold in the end. Tread carefully, and welcome to Mortum!”

The game is set against the backdrop of medieval Europe, where players get to step into the shoes of undercover agents of a secret organization, investigating thrilling and enigmatic events. This game is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, so be ready for an exhilarating experience!

How To Play

“The game before you is an investigative adventure. You don’t need to study any rules in advance; just read the cards carefully and follow their instructions, starting with this one.”

Upon opening the box of Mortum: Medieval Detective I searched for an instruction booklet but was surprised to find that the rules were on a card-by-card basis. This was a new game mechanic for me, but I was intrigued by the air of mystery it created.

The introduction card provides players with essential information on how to play the game. It states that in the game, players will need to “conduct a series of investigations” to uncover clues that lead to answers within a specified time frame. Time is of the essence in Mortum, and every move and action taken by the players must be done with careful thought to ensure that they achieve their goals in the given time. 

When a new card is revealed, players are required to read it carefully and follow the instructions immediately. The card is then put into play and remains in play until the players are instructed to remove it. The cards contain various clues, and players must use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to decipher the clues and uncover the answers they need to win the game. 

Mortum: Medieval Detective is a game that requires players to think quickly and strategically, as each move they make can either bring them closer to their goal or push them further away. Therefore, careful consideration of every move and action taken is crucial for success in the game.

The Setup

After flipping the introduction card over you are instructed to pick three character cards out of the five given, these include: Raider, Assassin, Spy, Warrior, and Thief. Each character has different resources and special action tokens associated to them. The effects are on the back of their cards and will be with you throughout the game. Each character will be equipped with one of the following:

RAID (special action): “The group neutralizes any threats in a target location, then forcibly searches it and interrogates anyone there”. If a situation causes for immediate action this is a good way to get quick answers by force. But once a Raid token is set on a location your party will not be able to access it again. So choose carefully!

COMBAT (resource): “Weapons and combat training help you fight and subdue hostiles.” Another risky token to play, but may be worth the information being held by a stubborn NPC.

COIN (resource): A pocket full of coin can make tongues loose in the world of Mortum. Whether you and your party wish to obtain equipment and information, or avoid conflict, Coin is a good resource to have.

SURVEILLANCE (special action): “The character keeps an eye on the target location and everyone in it.” After three hours in game reveal the designated numbered card from the Surveillance deck and see what lurks within the target location.

SEARCH (special action): “The character infiltrates the location and conducts a thorough search”. Much like the Surveillance special action, after three hours in game reveal the designated numbered card from the Search deck and discover what you’ve found within the target location.

Raid and Combat tokens are replenished at the start of each scenario. Coin tokens are NEVER replenished.

The Review

Mortum: Medieval Detective is for one to six players, and I was able to gather three of my friends for a four-player run-through of the game, which lasted a little over two hours. From the available five agents we could choose we went with the Raider, Assassin, and the Thief. 

The game was tricky to start due to vague instructions, but we picked it up quickly. Setting up and following card prompts were straightforward and after the first stages of the mystery our game took off.

During our session, my team and I had some great discussions on where to place our Surveillance and Search tokens. We also had a never-ending debate on “who did it,” which became narrower as the game progressed. As a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast, I was particularly drawn to the deduction and problem-solving aspect of this game. Taking notes, working together as a team, discussing options, and using critical thinking skills were all essential to our success. Initially, I assumed we wouldn’t get a “good ending,” but as we read the cards at the end of our game session, we realized that there was no definitive “good or bad” outcome. Instead, we were given more location cards that expanded the game and promised excitement continued further along

Verdict

After playing for around 140 minutes we decided to put our game on pause to take a break and continue playing another day with the expansion set Mortum: The Medieval Detective: The Shelter. 

Overall, I really enjoyed playing and exploring all that Mortum: Medieval Detective had to offer. However, I found that there was much more to explore even after finishing my first game. Even after reaching what I thought was the final card, we kept revealing new cards and uncovering new locations to explore. This left out story without proper closure, but I’m excited to jump back into the game and the expansion to unravel more mysteries hidden throughout the deck of cards.

Special thank you to Arcane Wonders for providing a copy of the game for this review.