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FroGames — Moments You'll Remember
Someone tells a story. The others listen, deduce, laugh. And in the end, nobody remembers the score — just the story.
What it's about
A cold case recounted among the world's best detectives
You are the greatest private investigators who ever lived, and tonight you have gathered to share your most complicated cases. One player takes on the role of the Lead Investigator and guides the group through an unsolved case — a mysterious death, a betrayal, an incident that doesn't add up.
The other detectives ask questions, build clues, draw sketches, play word association games. Every fragment of evidence adds a piece to the puzzle — and when all the pieces fit together at the right moment, the eureka moment is collective. Here Lies is a cooperative game of creative deduction, not pure logic.
Designed by the collective Jasper Beatrix (Jakob Maier and Bobby West) with watercolor illustrations by Marie Bergeron, Here Lies won Best Cooperative Game at the Origins Awards 2026 and was chosen by Space-Biff! as Game of the Week in 2025.
What they say abroad
"Here Lies is a welcome spin on the mystery genre, allowing for more creativity."
A fresh take on the mystery genre, allowing for much more creativity.
— Meeple Mountain
"Here Lies establishes itself as paradoxically more similar to Sherlock Holmes stories than any number of other deduction games."
Paradoxically more similar to Sherlock Holmes stories than any other deduction game.
— Space-Biff!
Here Lies
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews, and play sessionsYour arsenal
What you control in each game
Your Investigator
Each detective has unique techniques for gathering clues. Sherlock Holmes reasons by deduction; others draw, gesticulate, or play with words.
The Casebook
25 cases included, each with its secret story. The Lead Investigator knows the truth — the others build it piece by piece.
The clue cards
Anagrams, titles to invent, drawings, dialogues, word associations. Each card is a different way to communicate without speaking directly.
The eureka moment
At any time, a player can declare that they have the complete solution. If they are right, everyone wins. If they are wrong, a precious turn is lost.
In a few hours, you will have solved a non-existent crime, laughed about an invented death, and built a story together that you will remember. It always happens with Here Lies.
📖RulebookEnglish · Official PDF
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The case is opened
The Lead Investigator opens the booklet. Silently reads the story — a death, a motive, a secret. The others know nothing. He begins to build the context, one sentence at a time. The table is already listening.
The first clues arrive on the table
Someone draws a sketch. Someone else invents an absurd title for the case. A third plays word association. The clues seem unrelated — but they are already forming something. The mind begins to work.
The wrong theory that seemed right
Someone is convinced they have the solution. They announce it with confidence. The Lead Investigator shakes their head — that's not it. The group starts over, re-reading the clues with different eyes. It's often the most fun part.
The detail that changes everything
A new clue is placed on the table. Suddenly two things that seemed unrelated fit together. Someone whispers something. Someone else jumps out of their seat. It's clear that the truth is about to be revealed.
The eureka no one will forget
Someone declares it. The answer is compared to the case. Correct. The Lead Investigator reads the full story aloud — and everyone understands how the pieces fit together. They pack it up, wondering what case to open next.
How to play
The flow of each turn
A simple rhythm that leaves plenty of room for creativity. You learn it in five minutes, but every game is always different.
The active detective chooses a card from their hand and shows it to the Lead Investigator. The card indicates the type of clue to produce — a drawing, an anagram, a title, a yes/no question.
They know the full story and use the requested clue type to communicate something useful. They cannot lie, but they can choose what to reveal — and how to do it.
The evidence goes on the table where everyone can see it. It is discussed, connected with previous clues. The group decides together how to interpret it.
At any time, a player can declare they have the complete solution. If it's correct, everyone wins together. If they're wrong, they lose a turn — and start over more carefully.
Why it's different from the others
Six mechanics that make a difference
Stories built from the ground up
There isn't a fixed puzzle to solve. The solution emerges from how the group interprets the clues together. Two different groups will build different stories from the same case.
Each investigator has their own voice
Sherlock Holmes reasons by deduction. Other detectives draw, manage verbal associations, create anagrams. Unique techniques make every player indispensable.
Creative chaos is the point
An invented title that makes you laugh. An incomprehensible drawing that turns out to be brilliant. Here Lies embraces creative chaos instead of fighting it — and that's why every game leaves a lasting memory.
25 cases included, infinite online
The base game includes 25 complete cases. The community and publisher continue to add new scenarios available for free online. Replayability is virtually unlimited.
Collectible production
Victorian watercolors, fabric mat, elegantly designed cards. Here Lies is one of the most beautiful games to have on your shelf — and the production reflects the care with which it was designed.
International accolades
Best Week 2025 by Space-Biff!, Best Cooperative Game at the Origins Awards 2026. Here Lies is not just a beloved game — it's a benchmark in the cooperative deduction genre.
How it ends
Two ways to close the case
Here Lies is pure co-op — you win and lose together. The pressure isn't from opponents, but from time passing and clues not yet fitting together.
Case solved
- A detective declares eureka with the complete solution
- The answer matches the story in the case booklet
- All players win together — the case is closed
Case unsolved
- The detective cards run out without anyone finding the solution
- A wrong eureka burns a precious turn — and sometimes it's too much
- The Lead Investigator reveals the full story: often the best moment
Here Lies won Best Cooperative Game at the Origins Awards 2026. Not because it's the most complex — but because it's the most human. A story to build together, different every time.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Here Lies
Is it worth it even if we already have Codenames or Cluedo?
Yes, because it's something completely different. Codenames is simultaneous word association; Cluedo is elimination deduction. Here Lies is cooperative storytelling — one person builds the story, the others deduce it using creativity, not logic. It doesn't overlap with anything you probably already have.
Does it work with people who don't play often?
It's one of the most suitable games for non-gamers out there. There are no complex rules to memorize, no points to manage. It's about listening, thinking, and communicating — things everyone can do. Within ten minutes you're already into your first game.
Is it really replayable with the same players?
Yes. The 25 included cases are enough for many evenings, and the publisher regularly adds new free scenarios online. Moreover, the role of Lead Investigator changes every case — someone who has already seen the case cannot reveal the solution, so you can replay by swapping roles.
With how many players does it work best?
With 4-5 players, you get the most balanced experience — enough different voices to build interesting theories, without the discussion becoming chaotic. With 2 it's more intimate and tactical. With 6 it requires a bit more organization but remains fun.
Can it be played in Italian?
This is the English edition. The rules are simple and the case booklet uses descriptive English — at least one player with a good understanding of English in the role of Lead Investigator is helpful. The mechanics do not require on-the-fly translations.
What distinguishes Here Lies from other cooperative games?
The creative freedom of the clues. There are no predefined yes/no answers or options to choose from — each clue is constructed from the moment, from the Lead Investigator's interpretation, from the group's creativity. Two games of the same case always produce different stories.
Here Lies is a cooperative deduction and storytelling board game for 2–6 players (ages 14+, duration 30–60 min). Designed by the Jasper Beatrix collective (Jakob Maier, Bobby West), published by DVC Games. Main mechanics: pure cooperative, deduction, storytelling, questions and answers, drawing, hand management. One player takes on the role of Lead Investigator and guides the group through mysterious cold cases — deaths, betrayals, accidents — using creative clues like anagrams, invented titles, sketches, and word associations. Winner of Best Cooperative Game at the Origins Awards 2026 and Best Week 2025 by Space-Biff!. Includes 25 cases, fabric mat, Victorian watercolor illustrations. English edition. Available on FroGames.it.
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