Peaky Blinders: Mastermind is a puzzle-adventure strategy game set in the world of the BBC and Netflix television series. Players step into the role of Tommy Shelby as he works to protect the family business in post-war Birmingham. The experience centers on coordinating the actions of multiple Shelby family members through a timeline-based planning system that emphasizes stealth, timing, and precise execution across a series of connected objectives.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around controlling up to four characters at once in each mission. Players direct Tommy, Arthur, Polly, John, Ada, and Finn through familiar settings such as the Garrison Tavern and Charlie Strong's Yard. Each character performs actions that are recorded on a shared timeline. The timeline can be reset, rewound, or fast-forwarded at any point to adjust the sequence until every element aligns without detection.
Stealth forms the foundation of success. Guards and obstacles must be avoided or neutralized through coordinated distractions and movements. Special abilities unique to each family member help open paths or create opportunities, but overuse or poor timing can alert enemies and force a restart of the plan. Missions increase in complexity, requiring players to manage multiple simultaneous objectives while keeping all characters synchronized.
Progress depends on achieving optimal ratings by completing tasks undetected and within strict time limits. The system rewards experimentation, as failed attempts simply return the player to the timeline editor without penalty. This structure turns each level into a self-contained puzzle that rewards careful observation of patrol routes and environmental details.
Game Modes
The game offers a single linear campaign built around ten distinct missions. There are no separate competitive or cooperative modes. Every session follows the same structure of planning, execution, and refinement within the timeline system. The campaign progresses chronologically through Tommy's investigation into a plot against the family, with each mission introducing new characters, abilities, and environmental challenges.
Replay value comes from pursuing higher mission ratings and uncovering all collectibles. No additional game modes or post-campaign content exist beyond these ten levels, which together form a focused single-player experience lasting roughly four to five hours on a first playthrough.
Story and Characters
The narrative takes place before the events of the television series' first season. Tommy investigates the murder of a Chinese opium dealer that implicates a Peaky Blinder, gradually uncovering a larger scheme. Players witness his growth into the family's central strategist through the decisions made during each mission.
Control extends across the core Shelby family members. Tommy serves as the primary planner, while Arthur provides muscle, Polly handles delicate negotiations or distractions, and the younger members contribute specialized skills. Their interactions remain faithful to the source material's tone and relationships, delivered through text and environmental storytelling rather than voice acting.
Is It Worth Playing?
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind delivers a compact puzzle experience tailored to fans of the television series who enjoy methodical planning and stealth mechanics. The timeline manipulation system provides a distinctive twist on traditional puzzle-adventure gameplay, and the ten missions maintain consistent quality without unnecessary padding.
Reception has been mixed, with some players praising the clever level design and others noting the short length and lack of voice acting. The game runs smoothly on PC and requires no additional purchases or ongoing updates. It suits players who prefer short, self-contained campaigns over expansive open worlds or multiplayer features.
Those interested in the Peaky Blinders universe and who appreciate games built around timing and coordination will find the most satisfaction here. Casual puzzle fans may appreciate the accessibility of the rewind feature, while those seeking longer campaigns or varied modes should consider the limited scope before purchasing.
