- BGG rank
- BGG #15,863
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Jacob Marley, Esq.
- 3–6 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,853
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Parts Unknown
1999
Rules assistance for Parts Unknown
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–10 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.9/5
Rules assistant for Parts Unknown
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Parts Unknown is a board game released in 1999 for 4–10 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by James Ernest and its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Commodity Speculation.
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About the game
Players are retail store owners who supply body parts to the local mad scientists. Viktor, a mad scientist, goes around window shopping. Whenever he stops to look at a particular type of parts, a demand for that type of part is created; all the parts at the cheapest price get sold. If there is still a demand, all the parts at the next cheapest price get sold. This continues until demand is met. If parts sold exceed demand, a surplus is created, which may put an extra townsfolk back into the population. If the demand is not met, a shortage is created which will be filled by removing a townsfolk. Each turn, players get a part from their gravediggers, and can pay for more parts. Players can buy store shelves, and stock those shelves with parts, setting them to a specific, fixed price. If parts don't sell. the may be shuffled off to the "parts unknown" pile, which will automatically sell at certain times at a highly discounted rate. There could be, at times, a monster on the loose which scares off shoppers, getting them to buy parts only at the cheapest price, ignoring other available parts. Also, villagers might riot, which causes parts from the gravediggers to be more expensive. Player with the most money at the end of the game wins. Versions 1998 Cardstock version (Out of Print) Awards Origins Award Nominee: Best Sci Fi/Fantasy Board Game
Designers
Publishers
- Truant Spiele
- Cheapass Games
Questions and answers
Parts Unknown supports 4–10 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 Parts Unknown is 90 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.
The catalogue lists Parts Unknown for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Parts Unknown has a complexity rating of 1.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Parts Unknown belongs to these categories: Economic and Horror. Its main mechanics are Roll / Spin and Move and Commodity Speculation. 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 Parts Unknown are: James Ernest. 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 Parts Unknown 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.