MYSTERIUM #3, from Source Point Press on January 25th, 2023, ends the mysterious quest to free a lost soul when the collection of mystics begins to put all the pieces together.
The Details
- Written by: Christina Blanch
- Art by: Alexandria Monik
- Colors by: Nicholas Michael
- Letters by: Dave Lentz
- Cover art by: Alexandria Monik
- Comic Rating: All Ages
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: January 25, 2023
Is It Good?
Well, that was unexpected. If you’ve been following along with this series but have never played the board game, MYSTERIUM #3 solves the puzzle by bringing all the visions, clues, and hints together to weave a tale of two about the dearly departed’s last moments. It’s in this issue where you truly understand how Mysterium sets itself apart from more familiar games like Clue. Is the ending as satisfying as the buildup promises? That depends.
When last we left the group of mediums and mystics, they were all convinced their methods for divining the hereafter were pointing them to a particular place and method of death for the lost soul. However, none of their results agreed among the group. Blanch’s script expertly captures the methodical steps players would go through to gather information and mentally fill in clues as to the murdered party’s last moments. As a game adaptation, this is close as you can get without playing the game.
However, the conclusion makes sense, but it’s tough to see how a group of players would be able to achieve the same result. With a game like Clue, as an example, there is a simple, definitive answer. Here, the answer is nowhere near simple, and you have to, in effect, write an entire story to put all the pieces together. The mediums eventually step through the solution, but the solution requires the mediums to make an endless string of assumptions to get there. It all works out in the end, but you have to suspend a hefty amount of disbelief, which dampens the satisfaction level of the solution.
Still, Monik and Michael’s art style is a perfect match for this material. The character designs have a Disney-esque charm that keeps the game light without dampening the mystery. The facial expressions from all attendees are amusing, and the coloring is enjoyably vibrant. It’s unclear if the art team was going for a classic Disney cartoon vibe, but it sure feels like it, and that’s a compliment.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our MYSTERIUM #2 review to find out how the mediums came to their own (incomplete) conclusions.
We begin with the mediums revealing their latest conclusions after searching the house for the murder scene. As with their previous attempts, all mediums received clues, but their conclusions don’t match. Frustrated, they agree to search the grounds and house for the method of death.
When the mediums come back together, they find the same result. They all receive clues about the method of death, but their conclusions don’t agree. We conclude the issue with everyone deciding they are wrong and right at the same time, and story time.
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Final Thoughts
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MYSTERIUM #3 brings the mystery “game” to a close with more clues, ghostly hints, and clever conclusions to bring the tortured soul a bit of peace. The Disney-esque art and the whimsical writing give the entire setting oodles of charm, but the final solution takes a few leaps in logic.
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