
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,797
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Holiday Hijinks #3: The Pumpkin Problem
- 1–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2021

2021
Rules assistance for Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident is a board game released in 2021 for 1–4 players and 30–60 minutes per game. It was designed by Jonathan Chaffer and its main mechanics are Deduction, Cooperative Game, and Finale Ending.
Your peaceful day at the national history museum is shattered in an instant. Something feels off, a strange tension in the air. Just as you're beginning to piece together what's wrong, a tap on your shoulder jolts you. A shadowy figure leans in close and whispers, “We’ve been watching you. We need your help. A priceless American treasure is in danger, and a ruthless gang is closing in fast. Will you join us?” Your heart races as fear and excitement collide. The clock is ticking, and only you can unravel the secrets hidden within the nation's landmarks before it’s too late. Will you rise to the challenge? The Independence Incident, title #2 in the Holiday Hijinks line, is an escape room style game in just 18 cards! As a group, you will solve a series of puzzles to unravel a mystery. Puzzles may test your perception, wordplay, and lateral thinking. English language fluency is required. When you have solved a puzzle on the cards, you will enter the answer into the companion website (compatible with all smart phones and computers) and it will check whether you are correct. If you are, the website will tell you which card or cards to take next. The website also contains a graduated hint system, so if you get stuck you can get just a small hint about the current puzzle to get moving again without giving too much away. This system is non-destructible: some groups may choose to write on cards, but this is not required. A group cannot re-play the game, but can pass it on to another group for their use. This entry in the series takes about an hour to solve, and is rated 3 out of 3 in difficulty.
Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident supports 1–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident is 30–60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident belongs to these categories: Card Game, Deduction, and Puzzle. Its main mechanics are Deduction, Cooperative Game, and Finale Ending. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident are: Jonathan Chaffer. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Holiday Hijinks #2: The Independence Incident as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.