We've made it into May, and that means we're firmly in Mystery Month territory! If you're planning to celebrate and you're looking for the perfect board game to play with friends and family, we've collected our top suggestions for you right here.
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Whether you're a true crime fan or you want to crack a more fantastical mystery, we've got some top choices for you to check out so you can celebrate Mystery Month in style. Here are our top picks.
Escape The Room – Murder In The Mafia
Players
Age
Duration
1-3
14+
2 hours
We all love a good escape room where you have to search your surroundings and find clues to solve the mystery, right? Well, now it's time to bring that feeling home with ThinkFun's Escape the Room: Murder in the Mafia. It's perfect for game nights with your friends and family, where you only have a few players but you want a game that will last for a decent time.
The game suggests that it takes two hours, but you can forego a timer and play within your own timeframe if you wish to. The included booklet (or, webpage if you prefer to use it) has easy to follow instructions and also offers some hints if you and your teammates find yourself finding the puzzles a little challenging.
Once you've solved this game, you can't really play it again as you'll know all the answers, but it's a great way to bring an escape room experience home. Why not pass on the fun and gift it to a friend once you've solved the mystery?
Get it on Amazon here!
Clue
Players
Age
Duration
2-6
8+
45+ minutes
When you think of mystery board games, Clue has to come to mind first. This classic has been around for decades and has gone through many iterations and spin-offs, but you can't beat the original. This latest version has everything you know and love, but adds the fun addition of a card-revealing mirror, so you can discover the culprit, murder scene, and weapon in style.
Family and friends have played this classic whodunnit together for years, and there's a reason why it's remained a firm favourite. It's easy to understand and has unlimited replayability.
Get it on Amazon here!
Scotland Yard: Sherlock Holmes Edition
Players
Age
Duration
2-6
10+
45-60 minutes
If you're a fan of the classic Scotland Yard, get ready to up the ante with a fresh new take in the new Scotland Yard: Sherlock Homes Edition by Ravensburger. It's time to chase Moriarty and stop his dastardly plans as you take on the role of Sherlock Holmes. With help from your brother Mycroft, Dr. Watson, Inspector Lestrade, and Irene Adler, you can work together to stop Moriarty from escaping.
The instructions can seem a bit daunting at first, but once you understand the basics, you'll definitely enjoy it a lot more. This is a great way to freshen up a classic, and if you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, you'll love all the theme and plot.
Get it on Amazon here!
Cold Case: End Of The Line
Players
Age
Duration
1-4
14+
60-120 minutes
Have you ever watched a murder drama or documentary and wished that you could be one of the detectives pouring over case files in the hopes that you'll uncover the killer in the case? Well, now you can.
ThinkFun's Cold Case: End of the Line has you investigating two murders set twenty years apart, throws in a dramatic jewelry heist for good measure, and requires you to look over the evidence to solve this cold case.
This can be played alone or with friends and is a great way to challenge your sleuthing skills in a way that feels more real and is the perfect option for someone looking for something less traditional. There isn't any replay value unfortunately, but why not pass it along to a friend and see if they can crack the case as quickly as you did.
Get it on Amazon here!
Echoes: The Cursed Ring
Players
Age
Duration
1-4
14+
40-60 minutes
Another great choice for a mystery game that you can play alone or with friends is Ravensburger's Echoes: The Cursed Ring. It's an audio murder mystery game that utilises an app to great effect, offering a different type of gameplay than your usual board game nights.
It comes in a nice and compact little box, so it's a great little game to take with you to a friend's house or on holiday when you want to spice things up with a little mystery. At least one person needs to install the app, but it's free to download and easy to use. It's a fantastic, quirky title that is perfect for mystery fans.
Get it on Amazon here!
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