You cannot go wrong with a murder mystery game when putting together a game night. Even in an age when virtual party games are available online, nothing surpasses having a physical board game for game night.
Mystery board games entertain all parties involved, providing guests with an exciting whodunit throughout the night to keep them engaged and on their toes.
Also, within this genre, there are different sorts of board games to select from, whether you want to play a classic game of Clue with the whole family or something more involved to play with friends, such as One Night Ultimate Werewolf.
We’ve gathered some of our best murder mystery games in this board game shopping list, and they’re well worth picking up for your next game night.
So, let’s play detective!
Why Are Murder Mystery Board Games So Loved?
It is only sometimes enjoyable to play a game by yourself. It may be interesting, but you will quickly become bored. That’s the reason why board games are extremely joyful.
And what kind of board games are better than the one that centers on some suspicious murder? None. That’s why they are the most popular ones. But what makes them so popular?
➡️ It’s Not Just About The Murder
One thing is certain: you must discover who the murderer is, but there is more to the game than that. Each of your buddies will take on the role of a different character. These folks come from interesting backgrounds.
They, too, have agendas and several challenges to address. In this game, anything can happen. Even if you committed the murder, you might not be imprisoned. You also have the option of repaying your gaming debts. It relies on the character you are playing.
The more you devote yourself to playing that character, the more enjoyable the game will be. While catching the murderer is the primary goal, you can still have much fun while the perpetrator is tracked down. You might even begin to create your theories about who the true murderer is.
➡️ Solving Clues is Fun and Thrilling
At first, there are many questions regarding who the true murderer is. However, as the game develops, everything becomes clearer. Who doesn’t enjoy gathering and analyzing clues? It’ll feel like you’re in a movie.
Each clue will get you closer to discovering the truth. If you are the murderer, this may not be your greatest option. If you aren’t, you can have fun studying and deducing who the perpetrator is.
The murder is staged. The murder mystery games aren’t made up of simply sitting around the table and debating all of the options. You are free to improvise and reenact the murder. It means you’re free to walk about the room and investigate. It will help you in many ways and might even aid in investigating the murder!
➡️ They are Interactive and Fun
Someone in the team may have sketched the murder. It may be you. You can have a lot of fun pretending to be someone you’re not. People will sometimes guess immediately, but try to keep them guessing for as long as possible. You will also be given background information on the character you play. Use it to your advantage and keep people from discovering who you are.
Some murder mystery games do not reveal who the murderer is until the game is completed. If you like this best, you should buy the game with that option. Be it anything, you’ll have a great time playing it.
Another fantastic game feature is that it may be played for several hours. It is a great way to pass the time you have on your hands. On the plus side, your buddies will like playing it as well. They’ll undoubtedly want to play it again!
➡️ They Have Different Themes
There isn’t just one theme in the murder mystery board games! Some include supernatural themes and characters, while others are more traditional murder mysteries.
You will be satisfied with both options. They are extremely comprehensive, and discovering the real criminal takes time. But that’s precisely the purpose. If you can figure out who the murderer is immediately, what’s the fun anyway?
➡️ They are Replayable
Mystery games involving solving a case alone or with a group are only sometimes replayable. On the other hand, games with changing player roles or with a more traditional game board and action can have a high replay value.
Even with mystery games that cannot be replayed numerous times, businesses offer expansions and enhancements to keep the fun challenge going.
And even if you are done with a game, it’s entertaining to regift the solved ones to see if friends and family members can also take on the challenge.
Are you looking for a fresh way to entertain yourself and your friends? Murder mystery board games are the answer!
We have spent countless hours researching and assessing multiple options to bring you the best on the market. These engaging games take players to a world of mystery and intrigue, making them ideal for game nights with friends and family.
So, let’s get into action!
Deluxe 221B Baker Street
So you’re ready to start on a fascinating and captivating journey through 1800s London and the board game 221B Baker Street! Put on your detective hat and prepare to enter the clever world of Sherlock Holmes. Prepare for a game full of mystery, deduction, and possibly some humorous faux pas!
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Deluxe 221B Baker Street Board Game - 200 Intriguing Adventures 2-6 Players |
$37.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
This game is closest to Clue, except it’s a LOT harder. If you like Clue, you should pick this up. Players journey around Victorian London’s streets and alleyways, gathering clues and attempting to solve 200 exciting Sherlock Holmes Adventures designed specifically for this game!
Players: 2-6 Players
Brand: John N. Hansen
Publisher: John N. Hansen Co. Inc.
Release Date: April 17, 2021
Betrayal at House on the Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill is a creepy horror mystery game set in a haunting mansion that you will undoubtedly explore with fear. It is a tile-based tabletop game in which you must solve the mystery of the haunted mansion while dodging ghosts and other scary presences.
In an intriguing twist, one of the characters will betray the others, which could spell disaster for one or more party members. Betrayal at House on the Hill is on the shorter spectrum that clocks in at roughly one hour but is packed with strange moments.
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Avalon Hill Betrayal at House on the Hill, Green |
$34.96 |
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Will you survive the dark and eerie night, or will the betrayal get the better of you?
Players: 3–6 players
Brand: Avalon Hill
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Chronicles of Crime
Chronicles of Crime is a deduction game for up to four players that involves using an app to solve crimes. Players will choose a scenario and try to find the killer in the least feasible time. Each component includes a unique QR code that activates different clues and branching narratives using Scan&Play technology.
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Chronicles of Crime Board Game | Murder Mystery Game | Criminal Investigation Game | Cooperative... |
$23.55 |
Buy on Amazon |
The game can also be played in VR if the player’s phone is engaged. Players will need VR glasses to immerse themselves in a crime-filled virtual setting. The main game includes a tutorial case and five situations, but more stories are always added, allowing players to roleplay as modern-day detectives properly.
Players: 1-4 players
Brand: Lucky Duck Games
Publisher: Lucky Duck Games
Release Date: January 19, 2023
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
As the title suggests, Deception: Murder In Hong Kong is a fast-paced game of deduction and deception, tasked to 4-12 players to solve. The only issue is that one of the detectives is the fugitive murderer!
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Grey Fox Games Deception: Murder in Hong Kong Board Game, Fast Pace Murder Mystery, 20 min, 4-12... |
$31.89 |
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Depending on the number of participants, each investigator is assigned a major role, such as Forensic Scientist, Investigator, Murderer, or Accomplice. It’s a war of wits between those seeking to derive the truth and those seeking to deceive and mislead. It’s regarded as one of the best social deduction and bluffing games, and it’ll have you and your pals running back to the table to play again and again.
Players: 4-12 players
Brand: Grey Fox Games
Publisher: Grey Fox Games
Release Date: March 8, 2020
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game takes an underutilized genre and takes it in an interesting new direction. App integration has the potential to be a distraction or novelty rather than adding value to the game.
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Portal Games Detective , Blue |
$33.53 |
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However, it not only works brilliantly in Detective, but it also helps to immerse you much deeper in the concept than the game would without it. The detective’s plot is quite engaging, and players love how not every case plays out similarly. Wait until you get to Case 3, certainly the player’s favorite!
Players: 1-5 players
Brand: Portal Games
Publisher: Portal Games
Release Date: August 8, 2018
Death at The Dive Bar
Hunt A Killer: Death at The Dive Bar is an interactive murder mystery game that pushes players to solve an unsolved case. This game offers hours of amusement and is ideal for a night in with friends or a family game night.
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Hunt A Killer Immersive Murder Mystery Game - Take On Unsolved Case as Detective, For Date Night or... |
$21.95 |
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Death at the Dive Bar is an excellent way to hone your problem-solving skills while having fun with clues, puzzles, and a gripping tale. So gather your crew and prepare to delve deep into the enigma!
Players: 1+ Players
Brand: Hunt A Killer
Publisher: Hunt A Killer
Release Date: September 2, 2020
Letters from Whitechapel
Letters from Whitechapel is a hidden movement game where one player plays Jack the Ripper, and up to four other players must stop him. Players are involved in a cat-and-mouse chase for Jack the Ripper on the dirty streets of 19th-century London as police officers attempt to track down the murderer’s trail.
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Letters from Whitechapel Board Game Revised Edition | Strategy Game for Teens and Adults | Detective... |
$49.95 |
Buy on Amazon |
In the game, ‘the wretched’ represents Jack’s victims. Jack will be triumphant if he successfully murders all five of them. Despite being a deviation from the murder mystery game genre, gamers seeking to thwart Jack’s schemes will feel like brow-beaten cops desperate to stop a maniac.
Players: 2-6 players
Brand: Giochi Uniti
Publisher: Asmodee
Release Date: November 27, 2020
Mysterium
Mysterium is a bizarre party deduction game in which players are psychics who must connect with a spirit to figure out how it died. The game is a cooperative adventure for up to seven people, with one player playing the departed spirit. The ghost will choose numerous suspects, murder weapons, and location cards at random and assign them to a player in each round.
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Mysterium Board Game (Base Game) - Enigmatic Cooperative Mystery Game with Ghostly Intrigue, Fun for... | 5,987 Reviews |
$34.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Players will gradually narrow down their options and get closer to determining the actual deal. The ghost player cannot speak and must aid other players in selecting the correct combinations. Surreal but dramatic, Mysterium offers murder mystery fans a unique crime-solving journey.
Players: 2-7 people
Brand: Libellud
Publisher: Libellud
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Clue
The Clue is a famous murder mystery game that can be played with up to 6 players and is one of the most well-known board games. Each player is a suspect as you gather evidence to solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Boddy of Tudor Mansion, where he was killed, and with what weapon.
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Hasbro Gaming Clue Board Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Reimagined Clue Game for 2-6 Players, Mystery... |
$21.92 |
Buy on Amazon |
It’s a classic detective game and one of the best family board games you can play today. It’s simple, stimulating, and nostalgic.
Players: 2-6 Players
Brand: Hasbro Gaming
Publisher: Hasbro
Release Date: January 1, 2023
Wrap Up
Finding the right game is a mystery, but hopefully, we’ve cast some light on it. However, before you choose one, consider criteria such as intricacy, number of players, material quality, and theme!
Remember that some games may not be suitable for kids or those sensitive to themes like murder and deception. Overall, Murder Mystery Board Games are a fun and exciting way to socialize with family and friends. So, enjoy these best murder mystery board games on your next game night!
And, if you’re looking for a shift in board game genre, you might want to take a look at our list of the best fantasy board games!
