Last updated on November 22, 2021
Clue is one of the most popular board games in the world. Using your powers of deduction, you must find the killer hidden in your midst and solve the case by answering three important questions: who perpetrated the crime, using what weapon, and where the murder took place. But after wearing out your old, dusty game of Clue, you may be looking for a similar game to play that is fresh and exciting.
Well, look no further than our list of ten games like Clue that will keep you entertained for hours on game night. So for all the junior detectives and amateur sleuths, get your magnifying glass and your notebook ready—we’re going to solve some crimes.
1. Mystery Express
- 3 – 5 players
- 60 – 90 minutes playing time
Mystery Express is a “whodunit” board game set aboard the famous Orient Express. But there was a murder on the train—and you have to find out who did it.
While playing the game, you have to find clues related to the murder from one of the five different crime elements—Motive, Location, Suspects, Time, and Modus Operandi. Each element is represented by a set of cards.
At the beginning of each game, one card from each of the five elements is hidden under the board or out of sight from the players, and it’s up to them to find out the correct element cards that make up the murder clues.
The clues are found in a number of locations on the train, as well as from certain events and passengers that you may meet along the journey. Each location enables different types of investigative actions in Mystery Express.
- Takes 60-90 minutes to play
- For 3-5 players
- A "whodunit" game
- Top quality components
- Another Days of Wonder classic
2. Police Precinct
- 1 – 6 players
- 90 minute playing time
Police Precinct lets you live out your detective dreams. It is a board game where the players are tasked with solving a murder and working together to keep crime under control.
Players take on the roles of police detectives with their own areas of expertise. Players will need to form a unit to collect clues and arrest the murder suspect. Seems simple, right?
Well, there’s a twist—one of the detectives among you is a dirty cop and is being paid off by the murderer to have evidence go ‘missing.’ So when your team of officers moves through the city to collect clues, your corrupt friend may just be hiding a whole lot of evidence.
There are four types of cards that will help you find clues: Interview Witness, Examine Body, Locate Murder Weapon and Collect Crime Scene Evidence.
The cards are randomly shuffled, and so sometimes, you may not find anything to help your case. But you always have to ask yourself—is it because there’s no evidence available, or is somebody suppressing the evidence to throw you off the scent?
You’ll need to hurry, though, because you only have a certain amount of time to find the murderer and bring him to justice. But be careful! You and all the other Police Precinct players will have to take care of other crimes and emergencies happening around the city as well. So use your time wisely…
- Age range: 13 and up / Number of players: 1 to 6 / Play time: 90 �Manufacturer: Common Man Games
3. Letters From Whitechapel
- 2 – 6 players
- 90 minute playing time
Letters From Whitechapel is set at the scene of the crimes of the notorious killer, Jack the Ripper. Based in the Whitechapel district of London, the board game revolves around catching the infamous criminal and bringing him to justice.
One of the players must assume the role of Jack himself, and their goal is to kill five victims (called the Wretched) before getting caught by the other players. All the other players take on the role of police detectives and must work together to catch Jack before he can claim his victims.
The board itself is marked with dotted lines that connect at more than a hundred and fifty numbered circles, and all characters—including the Wretched—move along the lines during gameplay.
The officers must try to surround Jack and catch him before he can kill the Wretched, but can only move along crossroads. So you will have to think ahead to stop Jack in his tracks because he can move on the numbered circles, and if they’re not quick enough, he may evade police long enough to win Letters From Whitechapel.
- THRILLING MYSTERY GAME: In this game of deduction and bluffing set in Victorian London, five detectives chase the dangerous serial killer Jack the Ripper through the tangled streets and alleys of the Whitechapel district.
- COMPETITIVE AND COOPERATIVE: One player takes on the role of Jack and the rest play as detectives. Jack wins the game if he kills five victims without being caught. The detectives win if they catch Jack or stop him from reaching his hideout.
- COMPLEX STRATEGY GAME: A mental and pschological challenge, this game is divided into four nights, each with two parts and a number of different phases. Players must carefully make risky moves and find clues within a set number of turns.
- COUNTLESS REPLAY OPPORTUNITIES: With a one-against-five dynamic and optional rules to add extra challenges, no two games are ever the same. LOOKING FOR MORE ADVENTURES? Check out the other Whitehall Mystery games for game night.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This board game for teens and adults can be played with 2 to 5 players ages 13 and up. The average playtime is 90 minutes.
4. Betrayal At House On The Hill
- 3 – 6 players
- 60 minutes playing time
In the exciting and spooky adventure game Betrayal At House On the Hill, the players must design and explore their own haunted house while avoiding spirits and encountering chilling omens that could decide their fate.
Before the game starts, players must build their haunted house using pieces like the Bloody Room, Creaky Hallway, and other creepy and unsettling rooms that you might find in a ghoul-infested home.
Creating a new home for every game means that players can have a new playing experience every time they set up their board.
While trying to escape the haunted mansion, players have to try and identify and defeat the traitor among them. That’s right—one of the players must work secretly to lead their fellow players astray and keep them in the tortuous home for as long as possible.
Once the others have defeated the betrayer, they can successfully escape and win Betrayal At House On the Hill. For more games like this one, see our article here.
- Tile by tile, terror by terror, build your own haunted mansion - and then try to escape it alive.
- With 50 blood-curdling scenarios, each trip to the house on the hill promises fresh horrors.
- Players must work together to survive the nightmare.
- Except for 1 player who becomes the traitor.
- 3–6 players, ages 12 plus, 60 min per game (high reliability)
5. Deception: Murder In Hong Kong
- 4 – 12 players
- 20 – 30 minute playing time
In Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, players are assigned with the roles of police investigators trying to solve a murder case. But there’s just one problem—the murder is one of the investigators, and nobody knows which one of you the killer is.
At the beginning of the game, roles are randomly assigned to the players and include titles like Investigator, Murderer, Accomplice, Witness, and Forensic Scientist. The Witness and Accomplice roles are entirely optional for bigger groups of players.
The Forensic Scientist will act as the game master for the length of the game and works together with investigators to help them find Key Evidence and Means of Murder. The scientist knows the solution to the crime, but it is against the rules to give the answer away.
Investigators will jot down the clues that the Scientist gives them, but beware—the murder will act like a normal investigator and will be taking notes, too. The murderer already knows exactly what evidence they need to hide and will try to find a scapegoat to pin the crime on.
If the investigators can find all of the correct clues, they win Deception: Murder in Hong Kong. But if they get it wrong, the murderer (and their accomplice) will get away with the crime and evade justice, meaning they will win.
We enjoyed this game so much, we also included it in our round-up of games similar to Secret Hitler!
- Lie to your friends and get away with murder!
- Are you clever enough to determine who at the table is sus?
- Enjoy a fast-paced game full of lies, laughter, and hilarious accusations!
- Tons of cards mean almost infinite replayability for a unique experience every game.
- One of the best social deduction games on the market, having won numerous awards!
6. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective – The Thames Murders & Other Cases
- 1 – 8 players
- 60 – 120 minutes playing time per case
There are different versions of the exciting detective game, Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases, although they all follow the same basic gameplay, and each box contains around ten cases.
To play the game, you will need to solve one of the cases included in the box. Players can do this solo or with a group, although a group may take longer to play the case through.
In addition to the details you get for each case, you get a case book, London directory, map of London, and local newspapers containing vital clues and helpful information to help you solve the case.
It is up to players to decide where to go, what leads to follow, and what clues are relevant to your investigation. No matter where you go on the map or who you talk to, you’re sure to find something that could potentially be the clue that cracks the case.
The objective of the game is to earn points for every clue you find. And then comes the real test—you will have to compare your score to the score of Sherlock himself.
If your points are equal to, or higher than, the famous sleuth’s number of points, you win Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. And if not, you’ve enjoyed an hour or two of some of the most challenging and fun-filled detective work that you could ever ask for.
- NEW STANDALONE IN THE SERIES: As members of the Baker Street Irregulars, players try to solve the most heinous crimes by roaming the streets of London in search of clues. Will you visit the crime scene? Meet Inspector Lestrade? The decision is in your hands and each clue you find will bring you a step closer to the truth
- MYSTERY BOARD GAME: Solve mysterious cases by interviewing suspects, searching newspapers and walking the streets for clues. Once you have completed your investigation, compare your detective skills to the master sleuth himself, Sherlock Holmes
- COOPERATIVE GAME: Players work together as a team of detectives to gather clues and solve mysteries. The dynamics of this game make it a perfect choice for game night with friends and family. Whether you’re playing alone or with up to eight players, you’ll need everyone’s wits to work together and solve the case
- TEN EPIC CASES TO SOLVE: Solve 10 mysteries in Victorian London - The Mummy's Curse, The Munitions Magnate, The Pilfered Paintings, The Thames Murders, and others! Unravel the string of intrigues, answer a series of questions and solve some of the strangest cases of the most famous detective ever
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This thrilling detective board game for adults and teens can be played with 1 to 8 players and is suitable for ages 12 and older. Average playtime is about 90 minutes
7. Chronicles Of Crime
- 1 – 4 players
- 60 – 90 minutes playing time per scenario
Chronicles of Crime brings board games into the 21st century by mixing the game with an interactive app and VR technology.
To play the game, you will need to install and open the app and choose from one of five loaded scenarios. The game will start, and the goal is to catch the killer in the shortest amount of time possible.
Each type of card—Location, Character, Item, etc.—has a unique QR code that players can scan into the app to trigger a different clue or sequence of events, depending on the scenario players have picked.
The VR experience is optional, although it adds a new layer to the game by allowing players to assess different scenes and immerse themselves fully into the fictitious world. Players can alternatively use their phones to look around the crime scene without the VR goggles.
Once you’ve completed the scenario, you can start a brand new one off of the app. After completing all five, the app allows you to download and install new and exciting Chronicles of Crime scenarios that are constantly being updated.
- MURDER MYSTERY GAME: Chronicles of Crime is an award-winning cooperative game of criminal investigation mixing a board game, an app and a touch of Virtual Reality. With the same physical components (board, locations, characters and items), players will be able to play plenty of different scenarios and solve many different crime stories.
- COOPERATIVE GAME: You and your team will be put on crime cases, moving all around town, interviewing suspects or witnesses, and searching for clues in 3D scenes! Players start the app, choose the scenario they want to play, and follow the story. The goal being to catch the killer of the current case in the shortest time possible.
- GREAT FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Players will have five unique story-driven cases to solve plus a full tutorial to introduce you to the game. Each scenario is written by experienced authors to give you the most immersive experience while you solve both individual and series of connecting criminal cases!
- APP-DRIVEN GAMEPLAY: Using the Scan&Play technology, each component (locations, characters, items, etc.) has a unique QR code, which, depending on the scenario selected, will activate and trigger different clues and stories. To get new stories, simply download the app's updates without any shipping of new physical components involved.
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This game is designed for 1 to 4 players and is suitable for ages 12 and older. Average playtime is approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
8. Suspicion
- 2 – 6 players
- 60 minute playing time
In Suspicion, you’ve been given an invitation to a party at a fancy mansion, but the wealthy home-owner has no idea that you’re a jewel thief, and you’re just waiting to get your hands on whatever you can pocket from his lavish collection.
But you’re not the only criminal party. So are all the other guests!
In Suspicion, you and your fellow players must conceal your identity and try to steal as many jewels as you can before the end of the game while trying to figure out the identity of your fellow players as well.
On each turn, you will roll two dice and move two random characters, which will help you hide which character you actually are.
After moving the character pieces, you will play an action card that will give you a task that you must carry out, like stealing gems, moving a random character, or asking questions about the identity of other players that will help you reveal who they are.
The gems come in three different types and are placed in three piles. Once a particular type of gem has run out, the game ends. Players must then take turns guessing the identity of the other players before everyone’s character is revealed.
For each correct identity, you score seven points. For each set of gems you have, you earn six points. And for any other gems you have leftover, you will score one point. Whichever player has the most number of points at the end of Suspicion wins!
- What you get - suspicion comes with 10 guest movers, 1 game board, 28 action cards, 12 answer cards, 10 invitation cards, 2 dice, 45 gem tiles, 1 deduction pad, 6 pencils, and instructions.
- Fun play experience - you can play a game in 45 minutes, and it's perfect for 2-6 players ages 10 and up, Which makes this a perfect gift for families or friends who love to play games together.
- Easy to understand instructions - high quality, Easy to understand instructions make it possible to start playing right away.
- Great replay value - use deductive reasoning to play as one of ten world-class jewel thieves trying to unmask the other players in a strategic game that can be played over and over again!
- Long term quality - Since its launch in 2007, Wonder Forge has consistently offered top-quality experiences, raising the bar for family games everywhere. The preschool titles celebrate the “can do” attitude in all kids - engaging them physically, socially, and creatively. The family games bridge generation gaps and create wholesome family moments and lasting memories.
9. 221B Baker Street
- 2 – 6 players
- 90 minutes playing time
In 221B Baker Street, another board game inspired by the great detective Sherlock Holmes, each player takes on the role of the sharp-minded P.I. to try and determine the answer to the case at hand.
The case is represented by a card that features the crime told in the form of a story, a list of possible suspects, and locations. The clues to the solution of the case are hidden in fourteen possible locations on the board.
Each player must find these clues and tick them off on their checklist and reveal the answer that will crack the case wide open. Once you have your answer, you must make your way back to 221B Baker Street, where you will then be able to announce your deductions.
If your deductions are correct, you win 221B Baker Street and gain bragging rights among your fellow players.
- Contents include: 1 Die, 1 Game Board, 6 Tokens, 8 Scotland Yard Cards, 8 Skeleton Key Cards, 200 Case Cards, Rules, Clues, & Solutions Booklets, Solution Checklist Pad.
- For 2 or more players.
- Ages 14 and up.
- Made in China.
10. Mysterium
- 2 – 7 players
- 45 minute playing time
In the paranormal board game Mysterium, players take on the role of mediums and try to help one of their fellow players, who is now a ghost, find peace by figuring out who has murdered them.
The ghost player has to communicate with the mediums through game cards (Visions), and the mediums must try and decipher their visions to help the ghost remember the night they were killed.
Players will have to answer three separate questions as part of their paranormal investigation: Who did it? What weapon did they use? And where did the murder take place?
Time is running out, though, and the mediums only have seven hours—with each turn taking up one hour in the game of Mysterium—to find out the truth and lay the spirit to rest!
- MYSTERY BOARD GAME: A horrible crime was committed on the grounds of Warwick Manor thirty years ago. Now the mansion is haunted by the ghost of the murdered servant and it’s up to a group of psychic investigators to get to the bottom of the mystery.
- COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME: One player takes on the role of the victim (who is now a ghost) and the rest play as psychics. Over the course of the game, players work together to solve a mystery by psychically communicating with the victim. The ghost tries to lead psychics to the correct culprit.
- INTERPRET VISIONS TO SOLVE MYSTERIES: Each player investigates a case assigned to them to determine who the actual murderer is. Psychics receive numerous visions from the ghost with clues. Can they determine the weapon, location and killer, or will a violent criminal pull off the perfect murder?
- HIGH VARIABILITY: Dozens of different suspects, weapons and locations ensure no two games are the same! LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE? Expansion sets are available (Expansions require base game to play).
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This family and adult board game can be played with 2 to 7 players. The average playtime is 45 minutes.
Conclusion
While you can never go wrong with bringing a classic like Clue to game night, why not spice it up with a new game that every amateur sleuth will be excited to sink their teeth into? This list includes a variety of fun detective, mystery, and crime games, suitable for every junior detective-in-training. But if we had to narrow it down even further, Betrayal at House On the Hill provides a perfect amount of play time with a creative spin—but if that’s too spooky for you, you can’t go wrong with Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, a shorter game but one that really allows its players to dive into a murder the way an actual crack-team on a case would!
