HiddenCity: Moriarty’s Game – A Killer in the Hive | Review

You’re invited to join the British government’s Hive programme, a decentralised network of private detectives, harnessing the power of citizens in solving crimes. Team up with your partner – Private Investigator Kayla Watson – as you attempt to track down a dangerous criminal, and uncover the truth about her mysterious informant.

Rating: Exciting!
Completion Time: 45 minutes
Date Played: 28th June 2020
Party Size: 1
Recommended For: Small Groups, Immersive Experience Fans

Please note, this review is based on an early access copy of Moriarty’s Game: A Killer in the Hive played in June 2020. As such, there may be inconsistencies between my experience and the current, live experience.

Moriarty’s Game – A Killer in the Hive is an adaptation of the real life walking experience of the same name by HiddenCity for the post-lockdown world, as such it exists in the same universe and has a few similar puzzles and characters you’ll recognise if you give it a go! But the best part, you can play from home? So a double thumbs up from me – even if I do miss running around my city!

All you need to get started with the game is a mobile phone – from this point your phone becomes your direct line of contact with Kayla Watson, an investigator on the British government’s HIVE programme. Does this make me Sherlock? Mairi Holmes? I like it! I’ll take that.

Whoever your persona is, your job is to solve the case assigned to you and Watson, guide her round the city, and keep her safe. It’s pre-recorded / text based, so no live actors I should add – but immersive enough you’ll forget that within 5 minutes of starting the game.

I found it to be realistic, immersive and thought provoking – definitely a bit special! Have you ever fancied yourself a super spy, or an ‘eyes in the sky’ detective? Well this is about as close to the experience as you can possibly get (and believe me, I did a 6 month internship with a team of detectives at the MET once!). You’ll find yourself scouring live maps of London in order to figure out appropriate meeting places, diligently watching ‘real-time’ CCTV footage, making decisions that affect the outcome of your case, and preparing elaborate scripts as you make phone calls to characters on your journey.

At one point, my regular ‘Player 2’ came running into the room to ask “Who are you on the phone to?” “Shh! This is urgent spy business!” I reply, anxiously.

Whilst the game isn’t on a timer (that I can remember), you’ll have a distinct sense of adrenaline to finish. There really feels like another, live agent on the end of the line and if you don’t play your cards right their life could be in danger… But no spoilers here! You’ll just have to give it a go for yourself!

Unfortunately, as I played this game almost 5 months ago – I have no photos or screenshots from the game, but HiddenCity have kindly provided me the press shots to use in this review.

Moriarty’s Game can be booked for £11 per ticket on HiddenCity’s website here.