Groningen turns into your detective set. This self-guided Sherlock Holmes murder mystery game lets you work the case with your phone, using story cues, puzzles, and city scenery. The mystery centers on the murder of Balthasar, with twists and clues you piece together as you go.

I especially like the game’s easy difficulty level, which fits families with kids and casual puzzle fans. I also like the flexibility: you pick a start time on your chosen date and play at your own pace, solo or with a group of up to four on one device.

The main thing to plan for is your phone battery. One reported experience burned through 70% in the first 20 minutes, so bring a charger mindset (more on that below) and be ready to rely on your screen throughout.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Story-driven murder mystery centered on Balthasar, with twists and suspense
• Phone-based self-guided gameplay using the Loquiz app and city clues
• Easy difficulty that works well for families and mixed-experience groups
• Puzzles, code cracking, and photo tasks that keep you moving through the plot
• Flexible start time with an estimated 2-hour session
• Team up to 4 per device for a smoother group experience

Sherlock Holmes in Groningen: How the City Game Works

This is a Sherlock Holmes City Game you run yourself. There’s no tour guide meeting you and no guided narration. Instead, you start from Grote Markt, Groningen, and follow the case through prompts on your phone.

After booking, you get an instructions email telling you what you need and how to begin. Then you download and use the Loquiz app to play. From there, you jump into the storyline and work through puzzles as they appear.

You also get a big practical perk: you can choose when to start on your selected date. That means you can fit this into a half-day plan without rushing a specific schedule, as long as you’re ready to keep your phone handy for about two hours.

Price and Group Value: $31.07 for Up to Four

The price is $31.07 per group (up to 4 people). That’s a strong setup if you’re traveling with friends, family, or colleagues because you’re not paying per person for the core experience.

The math gets even better because the session is estimated at 2 hours. In other words, you’re buying a focused activity that can fill real time in the city rather than a quick stop. It also helps that the game is private for your group—so you’re not sharing your puzzle-solving rhythm with strangers.

If you have more than four people, you can buy multiple tickets. That’s useful if you want one team to take the main role while others handle a second device, rather than everyone trying to cram into one screen.

Before You Start at Grote Markt: What You Need

Your starting point is Grote Markt, and the game ends back at the same location. That loop is helpful for planning. You don’t have to worry about where you’ll end up—your case closes where it started.

You’ll need:

• A smartphone (the game is played on your phone)
• The Loquiz app
• Your booking confirmation and the instructions email you receive after booking

A couple of small logistics notes matter here. This is near public transportation, and most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed too, so you won’t have that kind of barrier to deal with.

And then there’s the bigger practical issue: battery life. Since the gameplay depends on your phone, you’ll want your device ready for sustained use. If you’ve ever used your phone for navigation plus photos plus puzzles, you already know how fast things can drain.

The Murder of Balthasar: Story Setup and Gameplay Rhythm

The core promise is simple: follow clues, solve puzzles, and unravel the murder mystery of Balthasar. The game is story-driven and designed to feel like a case you work together. It’s not just trivia. You’ll be making progress through the plot as you complete tasks.

Expect a sequence that mixes:

• Story prompts
• Digital characters that appear during the game
• Clues you collect along the way
• Tasks that push the case forward

The review-style feedback you have points to the experience relying heavily on the phone experience—both the fun parts (codes, tasks, plot twists) and the strain parts (battery usage). So mentally, think of it as a moving mini-adventure rather than a one-screen escape room.

Also, the difficulty is listed as easy. That’s good news if you want something detective-themed but not punishing. It’s designed to be friendly enough for families, while still giving puzzle lovers something to do.

Puzzles, Codes, and Photo Tasks: What You Actually Do

Here’s where the game earns its keep: the tasks aren’t just reading. They’re hands-on. You’ll crack codes, complete photo tasks, and solve puzzles that connect directly to what you’re learning in the story.

You can expect:

• Puzzles and codes that require careful attention to the clues the game gives you
• Photo tasks where you use your phone as part of the challenge
• Digital characters that feed information into the storyline

These task types are smart for a self-guided format. Since there’s no guide to stop and explain everything, the game needs its own momentum. Photo tasks and code puzzles create that momentum and keep you from drifting into passive sightseeing.

One more useful angle: it uses the city scenery as your playground. That means you’re not just doing a static activity. You’ll move through Groningen’s streets as the case directs you, and the environment becomes part of how you solve the story.

Playing Solo or in a Team: How to Work Up to Four

You can play solo or with friends, family, or colleagues. The structure is team-friendly: it supports groups in teams of up to four people per device.

That matters because it changes how you experience the game. With multiple people, you can split attention. One person can focus on reading prompts while others tackle puzzle steps. Even without formal roles, this reduces the back-and-forth that happens when everyone is stuck on the same clue.

If you’re traveling as a larger group, the option to buy multiple tickets helps you keep your group together in spirit. Instead of trying to squeeze too many people onto one screen, you can run two devices and stay coordinated.

How Long It Takes and How to Pace Yourself

The duration is listed as approximately 2 hours. You can start at any time during your chosen date, and you play at your own pace.

That combination is a gift if you’re sightseeing in Groningen already. You can do a morning activity and then start the case later, or you can fit it in between other plans. Just remember: since it’s phone-based, your pace is also your phone’s pace.

One extra practical detail comes from real-world troubleshooting. If your session gets interrupted—like you run into battery trouble—the app includes a way to resume. The support response mentioned tapping Letzte Sitzung fortsetzen in the app to continue your last session. That’s the kind of safety net that keeps one hiccup from turning into a full stop.

When Your Phone Battery Drops: A Real Problem to Solve

One reported experience is worth treating as a warning sign, not a dealbreaker. In that case, the player saw their battery fall by about 70% in the first 20 minutes, which meant they couldn’t complete the game that day.

The key part is what comes next: the app can let you continue the last session later using Letzte Sitzung fortsetzen. So a drained battery doesn’t have to ruin your case.

Still, you’ll enjoy this more if you prevent the battery crisis in the first place. Here’s what I’d do to stay comfortable:

• Bring a portable charger or a charging cable you can access
• Keep your phone power in mind from the very first minutes
• Plan your start time so you’re not rushing out of a low-battery situation

Since the experience is self-guided, there’s no one else to hand you instructions or jump in with a second device. Your phone is the engine. Treat it like one.

Who This Sherlock Holmes Game Is Best For

This game is designed for broad appeal. Difficulty is easy, and the storyline and tasks keep it from becoming boring. You’ll likely get the most out of it if you enjoy detective-style challenges and don’t mind problem-solving on a screen while walking around.

It fits well for:

• Families looking for an activity that kids can handle (easy mode)
• Friends and couples who want a shared mystery instead of a guided tour
• Colleagues who like a light team challenge
• Solo travelers who enjoy puzzles and want a break from museum-only days

If you’re the type who likes stepping into a story, working clues in order, and seeing plot twists unfold, this format can be a great match.

If you hate phone-based activities, or you don’t like being dependent on one device, you might find this frustrating. The game’s strengths are also its requirements.

Should You Book This Sherlock Holmes Game in Groningen?

I’d book it if you want a fun, story-driven activity that’s flexible, easy enough for families, and priced in a way that works for groups. At $31.07 per group up to four with an estimated 2-hour run time, it’s good value for a dedicated experience rather than a grab-and-go attraction.

I wouldn’t book it if your phone battery is unreliable, or if you know you’ll struggle to stay focused while solving code and puzzle tasks on-screen. For the rest of us, this is a clever way to turn Groningen into a living mystery—one where you’re not just seeing the city, you’re actively using it as part of the case.

FAQ

Where does the game start?

The game starts at Grote Markt, Groningen, Netherlands.

How long does the Sherlock Holmes city game take?

It takes about 2 hours, approximately.

What does the ticket price cover?

Your ticket includes the Murder Mystery Game.

Do I need a smartphone?

Yes. The game is played on your phone, and it uses the Loquiz app.

Can I choose my start time?

Yes. You can pick any time on your selected date and play at your own pace.

Is there a tour guide with you?

No tour guide is included. This is self-guided.

How many people can play on one ticket?

One ticket covers a group of 1–4 people per device. Larger groups can buy multiple tickets.

Is the game difficult?

It’s listed as easy, which makes it suitable for families with kids.

What if my phone battery runs out mid-game?

You can continue your last session in the app by using Letzte Sitzung fortsetzen.

Is there a place for refunds if plans change?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.