How it plays
Five sound cards, such as a scratching cat or a rake, lie on the mansion board. Whoever plays the ghost secretly draws a ghost token whose number reveals the card being sought. The others close their eyes, and the ghost gives a clue using only the tambourine: scratching, tapping, stroking, striking. Then the others discuss and agree on an answer while the ghost stays silent. Every correct guess earns a treasure tile. The role passes around the table until the moon sets; then the team counts stars together.
What it can help develop
At its core is careful listening: the children distinguish features of sounds, such as whether a sound is single or repeated, gentle or forceful, and match them with the pictures. In the example in the rules, the cat is chosen, because repeated scratching would be expected for the rake; putting such reasons into words is the team element. The ghost translates a picture into sound and judges what the others will pick out: perspective-taking and imagination. Impulse control is needed too: eyes closed, and the ghost stays silent during the discussion.
Especially suitable for
- Children from age 6 who enjoy making noises
- Children who find losing hard
- Mixed-age groups with adults
Less suitable for
- Older children looking for strategy
- Quiet moments: the tambourine can get loud
Our verdict
Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure is a worthwhile choice for mixed family groups with children from age 6 who enjoy sounds and solving puzzles together. The rules are quick to explain, there are no losers and the tambourine fascinates children straight away. In 2023, it won the Kinderspiel des Jahres. Its limitations are the noise level, a little less atmosphere with two players and little strategy for older children.
Getting started
- When discussing, say your reasons out loud: in the example in the rules, a single scratch points to the cat rather than the rake.
- Make clear beforehand that the ghost stays silent during the discussion, so that the others decide on their own.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to its rules, the German edition, “Der Schatz von Kapitän Buh” from Asmodee Germany, is intended for 2 to 6 people from age 6. The designers are Antonin Boccara and Yves Hirschfeld, and according to the rules it is the children’s game in the Mysterium series. According to the rules, the components include a mansion board, 78 sound cards, 5 ghost tokens, 10 treasure tiles, a moon board and a tambourine. Scoring is by stars; there is no defeat. According to Wikipedia, the game was published in 2022 by Libellud and Space Cow; it is based on Mysterium (2015).
What reviewers say
According to Wikipedia, Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure was named Kinderspiel des Jahres in 2023 and also won the Deutscher Kinderspielepreis 2023. The jury explains its choice by saying that the tambourine fascinates children straight away and that matching sounds, together with careful listening, create a special atmosphere; according to the jury, the game works across age groups. Reich der Spiele (June 2023) calls the rules quick to explain and the tambourine sturdy, with a wooden frame. According to the review, adults have fun, there is a little less atmosphere with two players, and younger children did not always keep their eyes closed. Geeks Under Grace (June 2023) mentions the variety of sounds, the encouragement of creativity and the changing ghost role; on the critical side, according to Geeks Under Grace, fixed sounds can become linked to cards over time.
How it compares
Avocado Smash (from age 6, 2 or more people, about 10 minutes) shares perception and speed with Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure and also has impulse control as well as numbers and arithmetic. In Avocado Smash, what matters is reaction speed when slapping; in Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure, it is careful listening. The game 5-Minute Dungeon (from age 8, 2 to 5 people, about 5 to 30 minutes) shares both skill areas, perception and speed as well as cooperation, and, like Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure, calls for team coordination. In 5-Minute Dungeon, everyone plays at the same time under time pressure, and the game is less suitable for beginning readers because the action and event cards carry text. Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure suits children from age 6 who like making sounds, and mixed-age groups with adults; it is less suited to older children looking for strategy.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What age is Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure suitable for?
Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure is recommended from age 6. Children who like to listen carefully and make sounds themselves are ready, even if they find losing hard: there is no defeat, only a shared star count. Older children looking for tactical depth will be less challenged.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 20 minutes. The game is for 2 to 6 people, who play together as a team. In turn, one person plays the ghost while the others guess, and at the end the stars are counted together.
What skills can Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure help develop?
It can help develop perception and cooperation. For example, players distinguish features of sounds, such as a single or a repeated scratch, and the group explains aloud why the cat is more likely to be meant than the rake.
Is Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo’s Treasure noisy?
It can get loud: depending on the clue, the tambourine sounds soft, for example when stroked, or loud, for example when struck. Anyone looking for quiet moments is less well served here.
