5-Minute Mystery | A Fast-Paced, Real-Time Cooperative Detective Board Game for Families | Solve the Case Before Time Runs Out | Ages 8+ | 1–6 Players

So, the game is actually considerably simpler than the instructions make it look. There are a lot of components, but it's actually fairly easy. We played with our 6-year-old daughter, and she loved it. When I opened the box, I had an immediate "not-these-IKEA-instructions-for-a-five-minute-game" reaction. However, it's not bad. Force yourself to get through the instructions, and you will enjoy it. The cards are cute, though some of the clues on the suspects aren't super easy to identify. One of the suspects is a naked mole rat, which counts as an animal with fur. While I realize that naked mole rats do, technically, have some fur, fur is by definition not their hallmark characteristic. Some of the other attributes are hard to identify, too. One animal has glasses, but they're on his hat, for example. Granted, this may just be my family of idiots. I have found that having kids is generally one long exercise in feeling stupid, and this game is no exception. I put as much - if not more - energy into trying to figure out if one of the animals is wearing a pair of reading glasses than I did into the entirety of my post-secondary education. Overall, though, very cute and very fun. The age range is 8+, and I think you can easily play this with kids aged 5 and older.

My kids (ages 8 and 11) enjoyed playing it. There are a lot of instructions and cards/pieces to go though initially but once we figured it all out, it was pretty easy to play. There are different degrees of difficulty with the cases so that is nice for younger players. I would recommend this game.

Damaged box

This game is so much fun and has a ton of replayability. Very different than the other 5 minute games.

I'm a big fan of the 5-Minute games this company produces, starting with 5-Minute Dungeon and on to 5-Minute Marvel. I was at the Origins Game Fair when I noticed a sign for this game with the 5-Minute logo on it. Honestly, it probably would never have caught my eye if it weren't for the brand, so I understand it even if this is a radically different game. The codex is one of the best board game components I've ever seen, and the "find the shape" missions are simple enough that even my lowest performing students can play it with me and feel good about finding it. This is a fantastic game for home or school.