A downloadable game.
I like #birdsecrets in concept, the idea of birds solving a murder mystery is fun, as its the ambiguity of whether or people or actual birds, and I think the Clue/Cluedo inspiration for characters/rooms, and murder weapons is a nice touch. In theory, I also like that anyone could be the murderer, and that as a group you figure out all the details on the way using your own inventiveness and the moves given to you. However in practise? Me and my group had no idea how to start playing. None of us could really get our heads around the game, as it's difficult to even start describing a murder scene when you don't know who's been murdered or what the murder weapon was, or where to explore when you don't know what rooms exist in the murder location. On top of that, I'm unsure how much is supposed to be roleplaying and how much is supposed to be a boardgame, as it's difficult to roleplay an interrogator and a witness at the same time, while also trying to interpret how your clues fit the crime, and you're also disincentivised from sharing your clues with other players and so roleplaying, because clues are secrets and they are a form of currency in the game. I'm also not sure why our characters aren't sharing secrets either; I get that maybe we're all suspects, but even then surely at least some characters would share information to clear their name?
I think the game needs more gameplay examples to clear up how it's supposed to play at the very least, but also I think it likely needs more structure and guides to help ease players into the game, maybe a GM role, or maybe even just a whole redesign.
I wanted to like this game, but unfortunately I couldn't even play it so I have to give it a low rating.
