Paris—a city where dreams come true… and mysterious crimes unfold. The hardships of medieval life and the woes of the Hundred Years’ War have fueled a surge in crime across medieval France. The city’s residents increasingly need more than just town guards—they need a true detective capable of untangling complex cases. Sir Abelard Lavel, a knight, has earned a reputation in Paris as a man whose skills and mystical gift can crack any crime. Now, more than ever, Paris needs people like him!

The Game Chronicles of Crime: 1400

"Chronicles of Crime: 1400" is a logic-based board game and the first installment in the new "Millennium" series, chronicling the saga of the ancient Lavel family from Paris. This lineage has long been renowned for its exceptional detective talents, and the plots of these games weave their adventures across different eras into a grand epic.

"Chronicles of Crime: 1400" builds on the acclaimed cooperative detective series "Chronicles of Crime," but it stands alone rather than serving as an expansion. Set in Paris in the year 1400, you step into the shoes of Sir Abelard Lavel, a knight plagued since childhood by nightmares of committed or impending crimes. Once a source of fear, these visions now aid Abelard as a warrior, helping him assist the townsfolk in solving intricate and baffling cases.

Players are presented with multiple scenarios, each unfolding a unique investigation story. By night, Abelard’s prophetic dreams reveal crimes, so by morning, you already know help will be sought. Lead the investigation, traverse the city, interrogate witnesses, inspect crime scenes, and consult family members who lend their expertise and skills.

Gameplay

"Chronicles of Crime" is a detective game with a unique playstyle. Beyond the board, cards, and tablets, it leverages a companion app for gadgets. The app guides you through the storyline and interacts with QR codes. Scanning locations moves you around the city, while scanning character cards initiates dialogue, allowing you to question witnesses about other people or found evidence. Another standout feature is the app’s alternate reality mode for evidence hunting—either with special VR glasses (not included) or via a panoramic view. For a limited time, your phone screen transforms your surroundings, immersing you at the crime scene.

The game offers mechanics to aid players when investigations stall. You can turn to relatives during your probe, who’ll share insights to push you toward the solution. Your trusty bloodhound can track a scanned item to its owner. Vision cards provide hints about past or future events.

Be mindful that investigations have a limited in-game time pool, depleted by interactions with character cards and location tablets. Solve the case before the culprit slips away!

Once you’ve gathered enough clues and unearthed the truth, you can close the case. You’ll answer several questions about the crime’s details. Your team’s success hinges on your investigation’s conclusions. If you’re unsatisfied with the outcome or feel you missed something, you can always replay the scenario.