The Maltese Falcon

The Maltese Falcon Card Game is part of PUG’s Tomes & Tables line of varied games derived from classic books, this asymmetric role, hidden deduction, treasure hunter is a game for 3-5 players designed by Joel Sparks (Cats of Catthulhu, Harvest Hoppers). Up to 5 gritty characters move among the noir locations of 1920s San Francisco, searching for the real version of the precious Maltese Falcon statue. A unique fold-out playing board of poker-sized cards encompasses the Office, the Hotel Room, the Alley, the Apartment, and the Docks. Each movement card has both a location and a character on it. Each turn, the player uses one movement card to go either to that location or to where that character is—including playing yourself to stay where you are! Then the character takes a single action: searching, stealing, revealing a Gun or a Falcon. Actions can only affect another character if they are in the same location. Meanwhile, the police are closing in, and someone is going to jail for murder. When the Fuzz card turns up, whoever is caught with the murder charge gets hauled away and can’t win. A remaining character with the real Falcon statue would win; if no one has it, it’s a matter of money and freedom. —description from the designer