When it comes to planning out a game night, you can never go wrong with a murder mystery game. Even in a world where virtual party games exist online, nothing quite beats having a physical board game for game night. Mystery board games are fun for everyone involved, giving guests a thrilling whodunit throughout the night to keep people engaged and on their toes. What’s more, there are numerous types of board games within this genre to choose from, whether you want a classic game of Clue to play with the whole family, or something more involved to play with friends like One Night Ultimate Werewolf.
In this board game shopping guide, we’ve collected some of our favorite murder mystery games that are well worth picking up for your next game night. Although selected with adults in mind, each one offers a unique experience and can be played with a wide range of players so you can find one that best fits your crew and vibe! Which ones have you played?
TLDR: The Best Murder Mystery Games
- Clue
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- Mysterium
- Exit: The Game - Dead Man on The Orient Express
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases
- Hunt a Killer - Death at The Dive Bar
- University Games Murder Mystery Party Case Files: Underwood Cellars
- Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
- 13 Dead End Drive
- MicroMacro: Crime City
Clue
Brand: Hasbro Gaming
Number of Players: 2-6 Players
One of the most well known board games in general, Clue is a classic murder mystery game that can be played with up to 6 players. Each player is a suspect as you gather information to try and unravel the mystery behind who killed Mr. Boddy of Tudor Mansion, along with pinpointing where he was killed and with what weapon. A classic detective game for the whole fam.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Brand: Bezier Games
Number of Players: 3-10 Players
Werewolf is a beloved game that's great for big groups, but One Night Ultimate Werewolf takes it in a thrilling, fast-paced direction with no moderator, no elimination, and no downtime. Play a quick round with up to 10 people and solve the mystery of who’s the Werewolf over the course of one night.
Mysterium
Brand: Libellud
Number of Players: 2-7 Players
This game takes solving a murder mystery to a new level, as one player takes on the role of a restless ghost who assists the rest of the players, who take on the role of psychics, to help figure out who their killer is. It can be played with up to 7 players and will take you just over 40 minutes to play through.
Exit: The Game - Dead Man on The Orient Express
Brand: Thames & Kosmos
Number of Players: 1-4 Players
Exit: The Game brings the Escape Room setup into your own home. With this story, you'll need to step into your Agatha Christie shoes to solve the case before the train reaches its destination. It can only be played once, though, as you'll need to dig into the case materials in the box to write down notes, fold, and cut different materials.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases
Brand: Space Cowboys
Number of Players: 1-8 Players
In a similar vein of classic detectives and stories, the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases game is another way to step into those shoes to solve a case. This one in particular features 10 detailed mysteries in total to solve around Victorian London, so you can keep the murder mystery game nights going for a while. The Sherlock Holmes board game series are a bit more challenging than a classic whodunit—best for ages 12+—but many adults find it hard too!
Hunt a Killer - Death at The Dive Bar
Brand: Hunt A Killer
Number of Players: 1+ Players
For true crime fans, this game is one to add to your collection. Hunt a Killer - Death at the Dive Bar is an immersive puzzle game that can be played with 1 or more players and involves you solving the death of a local bar owner named Nick Webster. It'll take you about 45-60 minutes to work through as well.
University Games Murder Mystery Party Case Files: Underwood Cellars
Brand: University Games
Number of Players: 1+ Players
For those who want an even more in-depth murder mystery to solve, the Underwood Cellars Murder Mystery Party Case Files will take you about 2 hours or longer to get through. While playing, you'll need to figure out what happened to famed Napa winemaker Cary Underwood, whose body was recently found after disappearing 20 years ago.
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Brand: Grey Fox Games
Number of Players: 4-12 Players
Unlike a few of the games listed above, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong will only take you a quick 20 minutes. Similar to Werewolf, this is a game where you and a group of people try to narrow down who commited the murder. Players take on the role of Murderer, Accomplice, Forensic Scientist, Witness, and Investigators, with each having an interesting part to play in the mystery.
13 Dead End Drive
Brand: Winning Moves Games
Number of Players: 2-4 Players
This game is another classic murder mystery board game for everyone to enjoy, especially since it's a bit like a board game version of Knives Out. In this game, Aunt Agatha has passed away, and without any surviving relatives, she's left her vast fortune up for grabs. Only one will inherit it... will it be you? Play with up to 4 players and set traps to get rid of the competition.
MicroMacro: Crime City
Brand: Pegasus Spiele
Number of Players: 1-4 Players
Not only is this game filled with 16 different cases to solve, but solving them has an interesting Where's Waldo element as well. You'll need a keen eye to track everything down, but don't worry, a magnifying glass is included with the box so you can get in close to investigate every detail. You can play with up to 4 people and it’ll take you between 15-45 minutes to complete.
Which ones do you love and why??
For more, check out our picks for best engine-building board games, as well as our Betrayal at House on the Hill buyer's guide.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
