How many players can play Case File?
Three to sixteen detectives can work on the same Boston case. The candidate grid grows from four choices per category to five or six as the room gets larger.
case file
Choose a case from the searchable catalog: The Missing Northlight Lens in Boston (difficulty 2 of 3, tricky), The Missing Riverlight Violin in Chicago (1 of 3, gentle), or The Vanished Midnight Tiara in New York (3 of 3, devious). Your best grade on each case is saved to your profile. Each detective gets two private map pins; evidence-linked puzzles unlock one connected story for the team’s shared board, and everyone shares one end-of-case grade.
3–16 players
12 min
100% free in browser
no signup · no download
how to play case file online
- pick a case from the catalog: Boston, Chicago or New York, each graded for difficulty. Read the case brief, then explore a real map of that city; each detective gets exactly two private location files.
- each private map dot opens a short reasoning puzzle with all the facts it needs. A wrong answer burns 30 seconds off the case clock; solving it adds that file to the whole team’s shared evidence board.
- investigate for 7 minutes, then use 5 minutes to deduce. The shared logic grid is a team notebook: cross off or confirm suspects, methods, locations, and times. It never marks the solution for you.
- the puzzle scales with the group: 4 candidates per category for 3–6 players, 5 for 7–12, and 6 for 13–16. Larger cases hide one or two lying witness cards; the team knows the count and may vote to set aside any suspected reports. These votes are unlimited and cost no time.
- up to three hints are available. a majority must approve each one, and each costs 30 seconds from the current clock.
- the host proposes a suspect, method, location, and time and automatically votes YES. At least 70% of active detectives, rounded up and including the host, must vote YES. A failed vote costs nothing; an approved wrong accusation costs 30 seconds, but nobody is eliminated and the team can keep debating.
- solve the case before time runs out. One team, one case, one shared win—or loss.
quick tip: Read every clue aloud. Correct the 12-minute clock drift, follow the 14-kilogram weight and wax marks, and do not spend a hint until the whole team agrees — hints and wrong approved theories lower the shared grade.
customizable lobby settings
case
customizable in lobby
frequently asked questions
What is the case about?
The Northlight Maritime Museum’s 120-year-old Fresnel lens disappears during a reopening gala. The display is intact, a replica is left behind, and the lens is due to be transferred out of Boston at 10:00.
How do map pins unlock evidence?
Each player receives two private pins. Tapping a pin opens a short reasoning puzzle; a wrong answer burns 30 seconds, and a correct answer shares that file with the whole team.
Does the logic grid tell you the answer?
No. The shared grid is a team notebook for marking unknown, ruled-out, and confirmed candidates. The team has to reason through the clues itself.
How do liar reports work?
The larger cases include one or two lying witness cards, and the whole team knows how many. A majority can set aside any number of suspected reports without losing time or grade points.
How is the team graded?
Everyone shares one grade from A+ to F, revealed with the solution. It combines solving the case, time left on the 12-minute case clock, wrong approved theories and hints used. Set-asides never lower it, but puzzle misses burn the clock that feeds the pace score.
Can the team accuse more than once?
Yes. A host proposes each theory, and at least 70% of the active players rounded up (including the host) must vote YES. Failed confirmations are free; wrong approved accusations cost 30 seconds, but play continues.