Gameplay Guide

How to Play The 42

Everything you need to know to step into the courtroom, weigh the evidence, and climb the ranks.

The Basics

Three steps. Every case.

Each case follows the same structure — but no two cases are alike.

Open the Case File

Select a case from your current rank and chapter. Each case begins with a brief overview — the parties involved, the legal tradition, and the core dispute. Read carefully. The evidence panels expand on the details.

Review the Four Evidence Panels

Each case gives you four panels of evidence to study before answering. Tap each panel to expand it — then decide what matters.

Answer Three Precision Questions

Each case has three multiple-choice questions — each targeting a different dimension of the ruling. Every correct answer earns XP stars and coins. Once you submit, the game reveals the real court's decision and the legal reasoning behind it.

Evidence Panels

Four angles. One truth.

Every case comes with four expandable panels of information. Use all of them — the answer is rarely in just one.

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Facts of the Case

The factual background — what happened, where, when, and who was involved. The foundation of every decision.

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Evidence & Documents

Key exhibits, witness statements, written evidence, and physical materials that were presented in court.

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Parties & Positions

Who the parties are, what each side argued, and what relief or outcome they were seeking from the court.

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Applicable Law

The relevant statutes, precedents, principles, or legal tradition rules that govern how this case should be decided.

Scoring

What you earn.

Every verdict earns rewards. Every correct answer builds your career on the bench.

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XP Stars

Earned for correct answers. Stars determine your rank progression. Lose stars by wagering in PvP debates.

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Coins

Earned alongside XP. Spend coins in The Bookstore to unlock hints, evidence boosts, and cosmetic items.

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Accuracy Score

Your running percentage of correct answers across all cases. Shown on your public profile — judges are ranked by it.

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Case Streaks

Answer correctly on consecutive cases to build a streak. Higher streaks multiply your coin rewards.

Rank System

Seven ranks. One destination.

Cases are organised by difficulty rank. Completing all cases at a rank unlocks the next. Each rank has 6 chapters — one per legal tradition — with 7 cases each.

1 Lay Observer Beginner ⭐

2 Court Clerk Elementary ⭐⭐

3 Associate Moderate ⭐⭐⭐

4 Solicitor Intermediate ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 Barrister Advanced ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

6 Senior Counsel Hard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

7 Chief Justice Expert · Ma'at's Chamber 🪶

Game Systems

Energy, PvP & the Bookstore.

Beyond the core cases, The 42 has systems that reward strategy and consistency.

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Energy System

Each case costs one energy. You start with 5 energy — it refills automatically over time. If you run out, you receive a push notification when it's ready. The Season Pass removes the energy limit entirely for unlimited play.

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PvP Debates

Challenge other players to head-to-head debates on a shared case. Both judges answer the same questions — the one with more correct answers wins. Wager XP stars before the match. PvP uses XP only — no coins, no real money.

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The Bookstore