CRYPTID

OBJECTIVE OF CRYPTID: The objective of Cryptid is to be the first player to identify where the Cryptid’s habitat is. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 to 5 Players 

MATERIALS: 1 Pawn, 54 Playing Cards, 5 Clue Books, 4 Abandoned Shacks, 4 Standing Stones, 5 Sets of Player Tokens, 6 Numbered Map Tiles, and Instructions 

TYPE OF GAME: Deduction Board Game 

AUDIENCE: Ages 10 and Up 

OVERVIEW OF CRYPTID 

Thanks to you, the world is about to learn the truth behind the Cryptid. A group of cryptozoologists, all of the players, have come together to uncover the elusive creature, but be prepared. For many, the glory of fame is too rich to share. Each scientist will hold a piece to the puzzle, but if they share too much, then they may risk their opponent stealing the glory! 

SETUP 

To begin setup, have someone create the map, which consists of six tiles that are numbered. There are five different types of landscape, and in each corner, there is a number, which is what should be used when setting up the map. Shuffle the cards, drawing one for the table. This card will show the order and rotation that the map tiles should be oriented in. 

The first player is the player who sets up the map. Each player will then receive their assigned playing pieces. Once the map is completed, and checked, the card can be revealed. This side will include the clues that the players should use throughout the game. Each player will collect a clue book, ensuring that they only look at their clue.  

The game is then ready to begin. 

GAMEPLAY 

The game begins with the players participating in the initial sharing. Beginning with the first player, the players will rotate clockwise around the group, placing a cube on a space which is definitely not the habitat of the Cryptid, according to their clue. Once everyone is complete, the first player may begin their actual turn.  

During their turn, a player must either question or search. If the player chooses to question, they begin by choosing a space on the board that they want to question about. They will ask one player about this space. Depending on their clue, the player will either identify it as a spot it could be, by placing a disc on it, or the player will identify that it could not be, by placing a cube on it. 

If the player decides to search instead, the player will choose a space that may be the habitat, depending on their clue. They will then question every player, going clockwise around the group, until a player places a cube on the space, signaling that it may be a habitat. If no other player places a cube, then the player searching wins the game. If someone does place a cube, the search immediately ends.  

Players must be honest when placing game pieces onto the map. At no point may pieces be removed from the board. Players are not permitted to search or question any space that has a cube on it. One space cannot hold multiple pieces from the same person.  

END OF GAME 

The game comes to an end when a player correctly identifies the location of the Cryptid. The first player to do so, wins the game! 

Ellie Phillips
Latest posts by Ellie Phillips (see all)