Clue/Cluedo at a Glance
| Game Type Murder Mystery, Deduction, Bluffing, Roll & Move | Play Time 10 - 45 mins | Skill Easy |
| Age 8+ | Players 3 - 6 | Published 1949 |
| Publisher(s) Hasbro, Waddingtons, Parker Brothers, Winning Moves | Rules Manual Clue (2002) Rules PDF | Cost $10 - $50 |
| Categories Classic / Family / | Our Rating 8/10 | Related Top 10 Like Clue |
Over the past decade or more the board game scene has seen many similar games like Clue being published within the murder/mystery genre.
While comparing games we looked for the murder and mystery theme primarily and the mechanism of deduction. We also had to consider the type of players that would respond well to each game.
Top Board Games Like Clue
Let’s take a look at board games like Clue that share similarities. We’re sure there is at least one in the mix for everyone to consider.
Mysterium – Best Cooperative for Groups
A terrible crime has occurred within the grounds of Warwick Manor and Psychic detectives must hurry to get to the bottom of this hideous crime. These psychics need to determine the weapon used, the location, and the identity of the murderer while working cooperatively against the game.
Mysterium at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic Murder/Mystery Deduction Cooperative | Play Time 45 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.8 - 5) Light - Non - Complex |
| Age 10+ | Publisher(s) Asmodee | Published 2015 |
| Categories Family / Party | Players 2 - 7 (6 is ideal ) | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost approx $44.99 |
Mysterium is a very close Clue like board game, and a kind of mix of Clue and a game called Dixit. It has all the murder mystery going on and the deduction element of Clue to find the murderer. You all work together as a team cooperatively to try and beat the game, and gameplay is less than an hour.
Mysterium plays best with a group of four or more. As a family game its target audience is for families with children aged 10 and up, although slightly younger kids could play.
A cool twist on a Clue type of deduction game that’s well worth checking out.
Whitehall Mystery – Simplistic & Good Hidden Movement Game
Whitehall Mystery is a sequel to the 2011 board game named, Letters from Whitechapel. These are both murder mystery themed games with deduction, hidden movement, bluffing and other mechanisms in the mix. This is a 2 – 4 player game that has much of the same mechanics going on as Clue.
Whitehall Mystery at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic, Murder/Mystery Deduction. Memory Bluffing, Hidden Movement | Play Time Approx 60 mins | Skill/Complexity (2.5 - 5) Light - Medium....ish |
| Age 13+ | Publisher(s) Fantasy Flight games | Published 2017 |
| Categories Strategy | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $34.99 |
The theme is based on a killer being on the loose on the streets of London, at the time when Jack The Ripper was extremely active and loose. One player will play the role of Jack and must avoid getting caught by the other investigators (players), and if he gets away they all lose.
Whitehall Mystery is slightly less difficult than Letters from Whitechapel which is one of the reasons why we added the former rather than the latter. This version is also closer to Clue, although the age range rating is much higher at 14+.
This is a fun and simple chase a crook type of game to play. There’s no whodunit factor as we already know it’s Jack, but the where is he and hidden movement elements are pretty cool.
Certainly a Murder Mystery game worth checking out that’s easy to learn and fun, with some elements of Clue going on.
Outfoxed – Best Kids Whodunnit
Most of these games in this category are aimed at adults with children playing if they’re suitable. We thought it’s fair to throw at least one in the mix for the kids that adults join them to play, and the best we came up with is the sly game Outfoxed.
Outfoxed at a Glance
| Game Type Animal Theme Cooperative Deduction Dice Rolling Memory | Play Time 15 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.5 - 5) Non-Complex Memory & Deduction Skills |
| Age 5+ | Publisher(s) Gameright | Published 2014 |
| Categories Family / Teens / Children's / Kids Educational | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9.2/10 | Cost Approx $19.95 |
Outfoxed is a dice rolling game and when you move around the board you’ll be searching for clues while you rule out suspects with the special evidence scanner. It’s not a complex game at all, but it does require deductive reasoning, visual discrimination, and player cooperation.
Super theme, thoughtful combination of mechanisms, and a fun filled 15 minute play time of a board game for children aged 5 and up
Chronicles of Crime – Best App Based Detective Game
Chronicles of Crime is an interesting mix of board game, mobile app and virtual reality. The theme is based in London with a team of forensic experts that work cooperatively to help solve unsolved crime.
Chronicles of Crime at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic, Murder/Mystery Deduction. Adventure Cooperative, Variable Player Powers | Play Time Approx 60 - 90 mins | Skill/Complexity (2.5 - 5) Light - Medium....ish |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Lucky Duck Games | Published 2018 |
| Categories Strategy / Family Teens | Players 1 - 4 (2 is ideal) | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $37.99 |
Chronicles of Crime is an excellent investigative game where players search through various clues using the app and game components to find out if the victim was murdered or not. You are timed with segments of time for each aspect of investigation so you must get moving.
It’s not only a whodunnit – it’s also where did it happen?, what evidence is available inside? and much more. The game is dynamic and interactive between players with discussion and sharing the details of the app.
At this moment in time this is the best app based board game we’ve played and want to play it more and more. It’s so good and better than expected!
If you love your detective stuff and like the idea of blending a board game with an app then you must check Chronicles of Crime out.
221B Baker Street – Step Above Clue Family Classic
221B Baker Street is a classic which has much of Clue going on that’s ideal for families. The theme is based on the novel based detectives Sherlock Holmes and his dedicated companion Dr Watson.
221B Baker Street at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic, Murder/Mystery Deduction. Roll and Move Pencil and Paper | Play Time Approx 90 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.5 - 5) Lightweight |
| Age 10+ | Publisher(s) Gammon Games, Gibsons and others | Published 1975 |
| Categories Family Teens | Players 2 - 5 | |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $30.00 |
Within this game you the players scour the streets of London to find clues to solve the murder mystery. Each player must use their wits and deduction skills alongside rolling the die and locking rooms to prevent others going there. The player who has found a prime suspect then returns to 221B Baker Street and announces the correct murderer first wins the game.
This is probably the most Clue like game we’ve seen. It’s a simplistic roll the die, move around the board and find the murderer family board game.
Scotland Yard – Best Family Detective Game
Scotland Yard has been an excellent detective type board game for families since 1983 and for good reason. It’s a great all round light and entertaining family game!
Scotland Yard at a Glance
| Game Type Detective Theme Point to Point Movement Deduction Hidden Movement | Play Time 60 mins | Skill/Complexity (2 - 5) Light |
| Age 10+ | Publisher(s) Ravensburger | Published 1983 |
| Categories Family | Players 3 - 6 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 10/10 | Cost $39.99 |
The theme setting as with many of the murder mystery and detective games is based in London. Players move from point to point around a map of London tracking down one of the players that’s the criminal and if a detective captures him, all the detectives win the game.
While you don’t have the whodunit element of Clue within Scotland Yard you do have hidden movement and deduction mechanics, and movement around a board. The cooperative element and having a player working against a team is a great feature and gives everyone a chance to be Mr X or work as a team.
Scotland Yard is a game for any family to check out and if it’s games similar to Clue that are light you’re looking for then this is another to take a look at.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective – Best Solo & 2 Player Game
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a very different game than those already mentioned in terms of components (no board, dice or movers etc.). Players are trying to be smarter than Sherlock Holmes himself and if you score higher than Sherlock you win, and if not you learn a lot about what evidence you missed etc.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective at a Glance
| Game Type Thematic, Murder/Mystery Deduction. Cooperative Storytelling | Play Time Approx 60 - 120 mins | Skill/Complexity (2.8 - 5) Medium |
| Age 13+ | Publisher(s) Sleuth Publications and others | Published 1981 |
| Categories Family | Players 1 - 8 (2 is ideal) | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost Approx $39.99 |
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is best suited for those that enjoy the investigative aspect of a game and pulling clues together. It’s cooperative and plays very well solo and with two players, and it requires a bit more thought and focus than various other games.
The box components does not come with a board. Instead you have a map, instructions, directory and other documents to help you navigate around the game.
Many others have said and we agree that Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is more of an experience than game that certainly engages people in detective work. A great aspect is that it’s not easy and pushes players deduction skills.
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong – Best Party Murder Mystery
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong is a murder mystery whodunit social deduction game that’s top of the charts in party board games within this category. It requires at least 4 players to get started and plays best with 6 – 8.
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong at a Glance
| Game Type Murder/Mystery Deduction. Bluffing Storytelling | Play Time Approx 20 mins | Skill/Complexity (2 - 5) Light - Medium |
| Age 14+ | Publisher(s) Grey Fox Games | Published 2014 |
| Categories Family / Party | Players 4 - 12 (6 is ideal) | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $39.99 |
In this game players are investigators in the city of Hong Kong where an awful murder took place. It’s team based with players working together to investigate and find the murder culprit, with each person playing a role including a murderer. A cool aspect if you can play with 6 players or more is you can use the witness card, which means another player knows the murderer, or even add the accomplice which spices the game up.
This game is very interactive and with a short gameplay time it’s hard to beat on the murder mystery party game front, and it’s not surprising it’s at the top of the charts in this category.
Kill Doctor Lucky – Best Humor & Clue Inversion
Such a funny game to begin with as Kill Doctor Lucky is not a whodunit like Clue type but rather a who will do it and everyone want’s to do it. Doctor Lucky certainly upset a lot of folks!
Kill Doctor Lucky at a Glance
| Game Type Murder Mystery Point to Point Movement Humor Card Drafting | Play Time Approx 45 mins | Skill/Complexity (1.5 - 5) Light |
| Age 12+ | Publisher(s) Cheapass Games | Published 1996 |
| Categories Family / Party | Players 3 - 8 (5 is ideal) | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost Approx $39.99 |
Kill Doctor Lucky is a card driven game that’s simple to learn and makes a good intro game into board gaming that’s certainly fun. Players must find their way around the mansion (board) and find the right location and get Doctor Lucky within that room then play the murder card, however, this guy Dr Lucky is so lucky that he can avoid hit fate with the help of other players moves.
This prequel to Clue is a fun game that has interesting weapons like a chainsaw or frozen fish to do away with Dr Lucky, and when playing it does have the game of Clue feel because of the theme and other aspects of the game.
If you enjoy a lightweight murder mystery theme like Clue then you’re most likely to get along very well with Kill Doctor Lucky.
Mystery of the Abbey – Best Interactive Deduction Game
Mystery of the Abbey is a murder mystery whodunnit type of board game which matches well for those that really enjoyed playing Clue. The theme is excellent and based within an Abbey, with rooms and houses 24 monks.
Mystery of the Abbey at a Glance
| Game Type Murder Mystery Medieval Theme Deduction Area Movement Paper & Pencil | Play Time Approx 60 -- 90 mins | Skill/Complexity (2.5 - 5) Light - Medium |
| Age 8+ | Publisher(s) Days of Wonder | Published 1995 |
| Categories Family | Players 3 - 6 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8.5/10 | Cost Approx $39.99 |
Players are investigators in the Mystery of the Abbey and move through the game collecting victory points. A cool function of the deduction aspect of this game is that players can ask questions which are kind of like asking Guess Who questions to other players to reduce possibilities and gather clues. The winner is the player that ends with the most victory points which is usually the player that exposes the culprit, but not always.
This game is a step up on Clue and has much more going on and offers more interaction between players. Mystery of the Abbey is quite unique!
Final Thoughts!
We was going to do a list of the top 20 of board games similar to Clue then decided to keep it simple in terms of theme, audience and gameplay……otherwise it’s way too distracting and too much . There are plenty of other murder mystery board games out there, however, we found them more complex or they didn’t meet another requirement we needed.
There should be at least one board game within the top 10 list above to please anyone looking for a Clue like game….we hope.
Happy investigating!
