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What makes a good mystery board game? Part of the answer would be the plot of the game, whether it is about following clues to solve a murder or avoiding being possessed by a ghost in an old mansion.
The atmosphere is also a big part of making a good mystery board game. Mabey the background story takes place on a spooky stormy night, or knowing the killer is still lurking in the game attempting to get a second victim.
Time is also a great quality in mystery games that you may not think about. For example, if you don’t find all the clues in the graveyard to stop the ritual in a certain amount of turns then the zombies rise and all is lost. This adds a sense of urgency to the game that is a key to the mystery genre.
Here is my list of top 16 best mystery board games. I’m sure you will find several that you will love playing!
Quick Peeks
If you are in a hurry, check out my top picks!
Best Disney
Best Crime
Best Children
Best Overall Mystery Board Game
Out of all the mystery board games I’ve played, these are the best of the best!
Mysterium
| 2-7 Players |
| Play Time: 42 minutes |
| Age: 10+ |
If you love playing the game of Clue but are getting a bit bored with it and want to kick it up a notch, then this cooperative murder mystery board game is exactly what you want! One of the players is the ghost and is unable to speak or communicate with everyone else. It is up to the rest of the team to figure out who killed them, in what location, and with what weapon before the night is over by receiving visions from the ghost as clues.
Every player will have a different combination of killer/location/weapon that they have to guess that only the ghost can see. Each turn the ghost collects 7 vision cards which contains a dream like picture (similar to the game Dixit but with a darker and more complex theme). The ghost then passes out one vision card to each player trying to clue them into how they were murdered.
Once all the players have received their vision card a 2 minute timer is flipped over and they may discus their thoughts on what everyone’s vision may mean and who each suspect is. You must place your token on a suspect before the 2 minute timer is up and if you have guessed correctly you get to move on to the next level and give your vision cards back to the ghost (first you must guess the suspect then the location, and finally the weapon). If wrong then keep your vision card and try again next turn.
Each turn moves a clock hand 1 hour, and the ghost gets to add however many vision cards back to their hand to equal seven. If everyone makes it to the end before 7 hours passed on the clock then its time for the final guess. Each players correct combo is laid on the table and the ghost chooses a vision card for the correct suspect, location, and weapon. The players must then choose one of the combo sets based on the “shared vision” and if the majority of the players are correct then everyone wins, but if not then everyone loses.
This game may seem a bit complicated, but its actually not once you start to understand it and it is a complete blast! I absolutely love playing this game with my family and friends!
Whitehall Mystery
| 2-4 Players |
| Play Time: 45-60 minutes |
| Age: 13+ |
Step back in time to Victorian London as you unlock the secrets of Whitehall Mystery. This thrilling board game will have you and your friends captivated for hours, as you battle it out to catch a mysterious murderer before he completes his deadly crime.
In this competitive and cooperative game, one player takes on the role of Jack, the crafty criminal, while the rest play as Scotland Yard’s finest. With only a limited number of turns and riskier moves needed to find clues, it’s crucial that Jack outwit the investigators before they can capture him.
But there are even more thrills with Whitehall Mystery! Optional rules and special movements add extra layers of difficulty and challenge, ensuring each round feels fresh and unpredictable. So whether competing against each other or joining forces to apprehend Jack, you’ll experience countless replay opportunities!
Take a trip down memory lane and explore all the mysteries Whitehall has to offer – if you dare…
Best Budget Mystery Game Under $25
If money is tight, then this section provides the best mystery board games at a low price.
Disney The Haunted Mansion
| 2-6 Players |
| Play Time: 30 minutes |
| Age: 9+ |
Do you dare to enter the ghostly doors of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion? Journey through the darkness on a mystery board game full of spooky spirits and hidden surprises.
Socialize with the Happy Haunts and explore all the classic rooms of this ghost-infested manor as you search for sets of ghost cards and rack up points. Beware of the Hitchhiking Ghosts, who often “follow you home” and can cause your doom in this thrilling game! Rotate the Endless Hallway around Madame Leota’s Séance Room as you move around to collect Ghost cards – each set is worth different point values. Dare to challenge your wits against the unknown by playing Disney The Haunted Mansion today.
There’s Been A Murder
| 3-8 Players |
| Play Time: 5-15 minutes |
| Age: 13+ |
Do you have what it takes to unravel the mystery of a diabolical murder? In There’s Been A Murder, you and your friends are set on a thrilling journey to unmask the perpetrator. This fully cooperative social deduction game encourages players to use their wits and intuition in order to crack the case! Every round is different as clues and strengths combine in exciting ways. Test your detective skills against this captivating mystery as each player battles to uncover one crucial piece of evidence: the Murderer card. Time is ticking and the pressure is on – will you succeed in catching the criminal before they escape justice? Discover a world of duplicity and excitement with There’s Been A Murder; buckle up for a mysterious adventure!
Best Runner Up Mystery Board Games
These games didn’t quite make it to the top of the mystery board game list, but they are a solid runner up!
Hunt A Killer: Death at the Dive Bar
| 1-6 Players |
| Play Time: 30-180 minutes |
| Age: 14+ |
Dive into the depths of a thrilling murder mystery with Hunt A Killer: Death at the Dive Bar. Protect an innocent town from a dark and sinister force as you take on the role of detective and investigate the death of owner Nick Webster. Uncover hidden motives with ciphers, clues, and evidence to solve this gripping mystery!
Feel like you’re living out your very own episode of CSI as you attempt to unravel a tangled web of lies that leads you ever closer to solving the crime. Discover who is responsible for Nick’s death and save the day in this immersive and engaging game experience. As each secret is revealed, use your keen eye for details and deductive reasoning to close the case – can you solve it?
Hunt A Killer makes the perfect game night option for date nights, teaming up with friends, or just playing solo. So don’t wait another minute – jump into this mysterious murder investigation today!
Outfoxed!
| 2-4 Players |
| Play Time: 20 minutes |
| Age: 5+ |
Uncover the mystery of who stole Mrs. Plumpert’s prized pot pie with Outfoxed! You and your fellow detectives must put your investigative powers to the test as you hunt down clues on a thrilling scavenger hunt. With an exciting gameboard, special evidence scanner and suspects to take down, the race against time will have your hands shaking with anticipation! But be careful—with each clue discovered, the guilty fox moves closer to freedom. Can you pinch this poultry perpetrator before they fly The Coop? Answer that question in Outfoxed: A mysterious board game of danger and deduction!
Best Mystery Board Games For Adults
Here are a few more Adult/Teen oriented mystery board games that deserve to be on my list.
Escape Room The Game
| 3-5 Players |
| Play Time: 60 minutes |
| Age: 16+ |
Are you ready to embark on an adventure like no other? Escape Room The Game will take you on a journey of mystery and suspense, pushing the limits of your creativity, attention to detail, and teamwork. This thrilling board game provides four adrenalin-filled challenges with three parts each that you have sixty minutes to solve – get it right or be locked in! Gather your friends and family around the chrono decoder, sharpen your logic skills, and break out of the escape room within the time limit before it’s too late. Feel your heart pounding as you race against time and fight for your lives. Then take it one step further by delving into an even more mysterious atmosphere with the Escape Room App – making each experience more exciting than the last. It’s an immersive experience unlike any other – can you solve these puzzles under pressure? Escape Room The Game awaits…
Arkham Horror 3rd Edition
| 1-6 Players |
| Play Time: 2-3 hours |
| Age: 14+ |
Something sinister is stirring in the city of Arkham, and only you can hope to stop it. Arkham Horror Third Edition is an eerie, mysterious board game that invites players to enter a thrilling world of horror, strategy and suspense. Players take on the role of brave Arkham investigators, determined to defend humanity from the Ancient Ones – cosmic beings from beyond space and time.
This unique cooperative board game offers intense and captivating gameplay that blurs the line between reality and the unknown. Assemble your team of intrepid investigators and explore Arkham’s dark streets, fighting terrifying monsters and gathering powerful artifacts to aid in your mission. With 12 unique investigators to choose from, each with their own special abilities, equipment and backstory, no two games will play out the same way! Do you have what it takes to prevent total destruction?
Best Mystery Board Games Like Clue
Clue is pretty much the original mystery board game, so here are a few others that are similar.
13 Dead End Drive
| 2-4 Players |
| Play Time: 45 minutes |
| Age: 9+ |
Step into a world of intrigue and danger with 13 Dead End Drive, the ultimate mystery board game. Aunt Agatha has recently passed away without leaving any known surviving relatives – which means her fabulous fortune is now up for grabs! She has assembled twelve of her friends and employees to the mansion in order to capitalise upon her generous gift. But only one will inherit her exceptionally large fortune – and they must prove their worth by avoiding peril throughout this mysterious house! Piece together the clues and exit with wealth in hand.
Unfurl your roadmap to success amidst an abundance of potential obstacles as you traverse creaky staircases, eerie rooms, and cobweb filled halls. You’ll have to be quick on your feet and knowledgeable of traps if you want to avoid being “knocked off”. Watch out for that toppling statue, or dire consequences may await! With vibrant artwork adorning each card and thrilling gameplay ahead, 13 Dead End Drive will keep you guessing until the very end. Will it be you who walks away with Aunt Agatha’s fortune?
Clue: Harry Potter
| 3-5 Players |
| Play Time: 30 minutes |
| Age: 9+ |
Unveil the mystery of the Wizarding World with the Clue: Harry Potter Edition board game! Designed for players ages 8 and up, this spellbinding board game lets you step into the shoes of your favorite characters from the Harry Potter universe. As Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville, it’s your mission to discover who cast a spell on whom, what spell was used and where it happened. Travel around a dynamic gameboard that comes alive as you play! Move mysterious wheels in each corner to reveal secret passages or change existing staircases to uncover new paths and either open or close doors – you never know when The Dark Mark may appear! Experience Hogwarts like never before and help solve the exciting case of Clue: Wizarding World Harry Potter Edition while having fun with family and friends.
Best Under $50
Here are a few great suggestions if you are looking for a mid ranged price budget of under $50.
Unsolved Case Files: Who Murdered Harmony Ashcroft
| 1-8 Players |
| Play Time: 30-120 minutes |
| Age: 14+ |
Have you ever wanted to try and be a cold case crime detective like you watch on TV? Now’s your chance! Can you solve the murder of Harmony Ashcroft that happened May 8th, 1998? In this Unsolved Case Files you are given over 50 evidence photos and documents for you to investigate including newspaper articles, crime scene photographs, evidence report, phone records, coroners report, fingerprint card, map of the crime scene, legal documents, suspect interrogations, witness statements, character photographs and much more.
To get through each step of the case you will have to visit an online answer page to prove you cracked it. If you don’t give the correct answer, then it does not spoil the answer and you get to keep looking over the evidence to figure out what you missed.
This game has several other cases you can buy if you enjoy this one. Honestly, even though this case is all fiction, it felt like we were solving a real case as we worked through this! It was tons of fun for us!
Shadows in the Forest
| 2-8 Players |
| Play Time: 15 minutes |
| Age: 8+ |
Step into the shadows and experience a mysterious world like no other. Shadows in the Forest, a unique tabletop adventure, will bring you and your friends back to the depths of an ancient and mysterious forest. Activated by an LED lantern, simply light up the gameboard to reveal an enchantingly dark landscape that instantly transports you to another realm. As you move through the forest, cast real shadows on the board and use strategy to help your Shadowlings stay hidden from the lantern’s glow. The eerie rustling sound you hear off in the distance is legend come alive – uncover secrets in this mystical forest that have gone undiscovered for centuries. Ready your courage and sharpen your skills for an unforgettable adventure with Shadows in the Forest!
Best Mystery Board Games For 2 Players
If you are looking for a mystery board game for 2 players then here you go!
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
| 1-2 Players |
| Play Time: 1-2 hours |
| Age: 14+ |
Dare to brave the unknown and explore the depths of Arkham horror in this thrilling mystery board game. Enter an immersive experience of Lovecraftian mystery, monsters and madness like you’ve never seen before. Blurring traditional lines between roleplaying and card games, Arkham Horror: The Card Game brings you an innovative, cooperative game that will test your investigative skills as you work together with your friends to unravel some of the world’s most terrifying mysteries. Every step forward brings a new challenge that only you can conquer – and each game is different, so dive into the unknown! Customize your own deck filled with your strengths and weaknesses that will help guide you on a treacherous journey to uncover hidden secrets. Arkham Horror: The Card Game encourages players to come together for a truly unique experience – one where cooperation is key and knowledge is power. Will you answer the call of adventure?
Codenames: Duet
| 2 Players |
| Play Time: 15-30 minutes |
| Age: 11+ |
Discover the mystery of Codenames Duet, a top secret adventure for two agents. Your mission: to make contact with 15 hidden agents in a crowded city, but beware of enemy assassins that are out to stop you! You and your partner must use one-word clues to identify the correct contacts and find all the agents before your turns run out. Can you crack the code and complete the mission? With Codenames Duet, you’ll be plunged into a mysterious world of codebreaking where only quick wits will succeed. Dare you take on this thrilling challenge?
Best Over $50
If you’ve got extra cash to spend, then here are some mystery games over $50 that are amazing to play!
Betrayal at House on The Hill
| 3-6 Players |
| Play Time: 60 minutes |
| Age: 12+ |
Betrayal at House on The Hill is like watching a mysterious horror movie unfold right before your eyes! Although I feel like I should add a *Disclaimer* This game has evil spiritual occult elements like demons, pentagons, Ouija boards, possessions, gateways to hell, etc. and if you don’t like that stuff then you will not like this game. However if your not bothered by those types of elements in a game, then read on!
This game has 50 scenarios and the house tiles are laid out as you play, so no matter how many times you play this it will always be different! You must look to your companions to help you survive the mansion, that is until the house turns one of them turns against you! Dreadful monsters and deadly secrets will be uncovered as new rooms are discovered. This game also has expansions that can be purchased that can add even more to the game.
Mansions of Madness: 2nd Edition
| 1-5 Players |
| Play Time: 2-3 hours |
| Age: 14+ |
Dare to enter the mysterious Mansions of Madness! Step out of the comfortable darkness of your daily life and explore a world wrapped in mystery and ancient secrets. From Innsmouth’s dark streets to sinister haunted mansions, every experience gets you closer to unlocking the answers that have haunted you since the beginning of time.
Mansions of Madness: 2nd Edition is a cooperative mystery board game. Take on challenging missions with your friends, engaging in puzzles and taking part in battles against otherworldly dangers – survive the night and conquer the evil that has terrorized this town for so long. With four campaigns of varying lengths and difficulty levels, your group will never be bored. To make it even better, this game is family-friendly, so all ages can enjoy it! Dive into a thrilling experience like no other – solve puzzles, unwrap centuries old secrets, and get ready for a night filled with horror and adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of your most asked questions.
What is the best crime solving game?
I’m a big fan of Mysterium, however the Hunt a Killer games are all great too!
Is Hunt a Killer game worth it?
As I mentioned in the last question, yes. Hunt a Killer games are very fun and worth every penny!
What game lets you play as a cop?
Most of the crime games like Whitehall Mystery and Hunt a Killer games you play as a detective. There are several of those in my list. There are also several in my list that you are playing as an investigator.
Conclusion
There were so many good mystery board game out there that I couldn’t fit them all in my list! If you want even more, then let me know and I’ll make a bigger list for you! Its so fun trying to solve the mysteries, whether its solving a crime, or just trying to escape from a haunted mansion! I hope this list has helped you and I hope you’ll have lots of Board Game Smiles!
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