How to Play MicroMacro Crime City Revised: Beginner Tips

By Tanuki Games | Published: 2026-11-02

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to play MicroMacro: Crime City - Revised with a simple step-by-step process, beginner tips, and common mistakes to avoid. Solve cases together in 15–45 minutes.

Quick answer

To play MicroMacro: Crime City - Revised, unfold the city map, pick a case card, and work together to trace characters and clues across the map. Follow the trail step by step, then check your solution against the card.

Why the map is the game board

Unlike most board games, MicroMacro has no pawns or dice. The entire city is printed on one large map, and every case is solved by visually following characters from one location to the next. This makes the revised edition easy to teach but surprisingly demanding on observation.

Because the map is shared, all players see the same information. The challenge is not hiding information but coordinating what each person notices. That is why the game works well with 1–4 players and stays compact at 15–45 minutes.

When the revised edition makes sense for you

The revised edition is best for families and casual groups who want a cooperative hidden-object game with minimal setup. If your group prefers competitive games with hidden roles or heavy strategy, this will feel too light.

It is also a good fit for solo play, since you can work through cases at your own pace. The 30+ replayable cases mean you can return to the map even after finishing the main storyline.

Step-by-step: how to play MicroMacro Crime City Revised

Unfold the map and choose a case: Lay the city map flat where everyone can reach it. Pick a case card from the deck, starting with the tutorial cases if this is your first game. Do not skip the tutorial cases; they teach the visual language of the map.
Read the case card aloud: Read the case description and any question on the card. Make sure all players understand what you are trying to find or prove. If the card asks multiple questions, answer them in order rather than jumping ahead.
Trace the characters on the map: Start from the location mentioned on the card and follow the characters’ paths across the map. Look for changes in clothing, objects, or companions to stay on the right trail. Common mistake: moving too fast and losing the trail. Slow down at intersections.
Discuss and agree on the answer: Once you think you have the solution, point to the relevant spot on the map and explain your reasoning to the group. Everyone should agree before you check. If players disagree, revisit the last confirmed step instead of guessing.
Check the solution on the card: Flip or read the solution section of the case card. If you were wrong, use the hint to find where you went off track. Wrong answers are part of the game; treat them as a clue, not a failure.
Mark the case as solved and move on: Set the solved card aside and choose the next case. You can replay cases later, but the map secrets may be remembered. Keep solved cards separate so you do not accidentally replay the same case.

Product facts

MicroMacro: Crime City - Revised: Includes over 30 replayable cases and dozens of hidden secrets. You get plenty of content for repeated sessions, so the game stays useful after the first playthrough.
MicroMacro: Crime City - Revised