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  • 10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More) 5

10 Best Mystery Board Games in 2022 (Deception, 221B Baker Street, and More)

Looking for the next game at game night? Board games are a great idea to spend some quality time with people that we care about. Tired of Monopoly and UNO yet? What if you spice it up a little by getting a mystery board game? But choosing the best mystery board game can be a little confusing since you won't know what's in store until you've played them. 


That's why we did the research for you and found 10 of the best mystery board games out there. We found that Betrayal at the House in the Hill is a great option due to its multiple possibilities and engaging narrative. Keep reading our guide to learn about the other nine great games that we chose!

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Mystery Board Games

1

Avalon Hill

Betrayal at the House on the Hill
Betrayal at the House on the Hill

A Game That is Never the Same

2

Grey Fox Games

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

A Quick but Engaging Game

3

Facade

Salem 1692
Salem 1692

Anyone Could be Lying in This Game

4

John N. Hansen

221B Baker Street
221B Baker Street

Cooperate and Solve Cases Together

5

Asmodee

Mysterium
Mysterium

A Non-Competitive Game for Groups

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How to Choose a Mystery Board Game - Buying Guide

When choosing a mystery board game it is important to take into consideration the number of players, the themes, the age of the players, and the time it will take to play. 

1

Choose a Board Game Based on Who Will be Playing

The themes and mechanics of each board game matter a lot when it comes to the number of players and their age. You have to know your crew before you choose your board game!

Go for a Board Game With a Flexible Number of Players

Go for a Board Game With a Flexible Number of Players

Every game has a minimum and maximum number of players that can participate in order for the rules to work out. Look at your circle of family or friends who will normally play with you and choose a game that fits the situation.


Many mystery board games have a sweet spot between three and seven players. However, the range of options goes from one to 15. Though a lot of board games indicate that they can be played by a broad range of players, some of them might get boring with very few or a lot of players. 


This is why it’s safer to choose a game that hits right in the middle of the number of friends that you play with. For example, if your crew is usually four or five people, don’t pick a game that says four to 15. In a similar way if it’s usually just one person and yourself, pick something between one and four players.

Opt for an Age-Appropriate Theme if There are Any Kids or Teenagers

Opt for an Age-Appropriate Theme if There are Any Kids or Teenagers

Sometimes mystery board games can have heavy themes such as supernatural creatures, horror, and murder. Other times, the nature of the game is so immersive that playing it can be scary.


Try to keep this in mind if there are any young teenagers or children. Usually, the box will say the age limit for the game, but if you know your young (or not so young) buddies get easily scared, you may want to skip some of these themes. 

2

Select a Game According to the Occasion

Another aspect to keep in mind is the type of gathering in which you’re planning to play the game. Some games are very complex and will take a whole evening to play. Others will be quick and you can choose whether to move on with your night or keep playing!

Purchase a Quick Game for Light Parties

Purchase a Quick Game for Light Parties

If playing the board game is one of the activities for the night but it’s not the whole night, you might want to choose a game that can be played in under an hour. This way you can play multiple times if everyone is into it, or just go to the next thing if everyone’s had enough.


If you’re planning to make an evening out of one board game and get everybody super immersed, you can choose a longer game. These games are anywhere between one and six hours long. Choose these for an evening of entertainment! 

Go for a Difficulty Level That Will Suit the Players and the Occasion

Go for a Difficulty Level That Will Suit the Players and the Occasion

All games have different complexity levels. While some of them are really straightforward and all you have to do is to use and discard cards, others have plenty of rules and features.


There are even games in which all the rules apply differently for every player. This complexity is known as weight. Though the game's box won’t indicate that, it is a good idea to look at internet board game communities such as boardgamegeek.com to check the complexity ratings.


Their ratings go from one to five but you’ll find that games rated over three are already very complex. Most mystery board games have a complexity between one and three.

3

Purchase a Traitor-Mechanic Game for Some Distrust

Purchase a Traitor-Mechanic Game for Some Distrust

If you and your friends like to try and trick each other, buy a traitor-mechanic game. In these types of games, one or more players will be “the bad guy” as they’re pretending to be normal citizens. Then you’ll have to guess who that is. Games like Salem or Werewolf are in the category. 


Another variant of these games is the ones in which one of the players suddenly becomes the traitor so all the game strategy has to change.

4

Or Choose a Cooperation Game for a Friendlier Time

Or Choose a Cooperation Game for a Friendlier Time

In other games, such as Mysterium, all the players are on the same side. They are all trying to solve a mystery. Though there may be competition over who is the first to solve it or to score more points, this type of game is more friendly and requires less emotional investment.

5

Find Expansions so the Game Stays Fresh

Find Expansions so the Game Stays Fresh

A lot of games, such as Betrayal at the House on the Hill, have so many possibilities that they won’t get old unless you play them every day for a year. And even then, you can look for expansions that will change the rules, add characters and new scenarios to spice up your board game night. 

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10 Best Mystery Board Games

Mystery board games are really fun. They have plenty of combinations that make every game unique. In most cases, you can even get an expansion if you've exhausted all the possibilities.
Popularity

Products

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Key features

1

Avalon Hill

Betrayal at the House on the Hill

Avalon Hill Betrayal at the House on the Hill  1

A Game That is Never the Same

2

Grey Fox Games

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

Grey Fox Games Deception: Murder in Hong Kong 1

A Quick but Engaging Game

3

Facade

Salem 1692

Facade Salem 1692 1

Anyone Could be Lying in This Game

4

John N. Hansen

221B Baker Street

John N. Hansen 221B Baker Street 1

Cooperate and Solve Cases Together

5

Asmodee

Mysterium

Asmodee Mysterium  1

A Non-Competitive Game for Groups

6

Thames & Kosmos

Exit: The Sinister Mansion

Thames & Kosmos Exit: The Sinister Mansion 1

An Escape Room in a Box

7

Indie Boards and Cards

The Resistance

Indie Boards and Cards The Resistance 1

An Identity Mystery Game

8

Hunt a Killer

Death at the Dive Bar

Hunt a Killer Death at the Dive Bar 1

An Immersive Experience Beyond a Game

9

Hasbro

Clue Retro Series 1986

Hasbro Clue Retro Series 1986 1

The True Mystery Board Game Classic

10

The Wonder Forge

Suspicion

The Wonder Forge Suspicion 1

A Family Game With a Heist Narrative

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Avalon Hill
Betrayal at the House on the Hill

Reference price
$29.49
Mid

A Game That is Never the Same

This is a game that can be played over and over again. With over 50 scenarios, no game is the same.


The players are trying to escape the omen-ridden house on the hill by discovering new rooms. At a random moment, one of the players becomes a traitor and a story is unveiled. The team works together to defeat the traitor as they try to use their powers to defeat the entire team.


Some players didn’t love the number of rules that the game has. They said that you have to read them many times in the beginning. Others mention the content is quite dark, and some were offended by this.


Other reviewers were delighted by the replayability of this game. They also loved how engaging it is, and that it can be enjoyed by both seasoned board game players and beginners.

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No.2

Grey Fox Games
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

Reference price
$31.65
High Mid

A Quick but Engaging Game

If you don’t want to get stuck playing a really long game, Deception is a good choice. The game has one murderer and one forensic scientist. The goal of the team is to uncover the criminal along with the weapon that they used. Each game is about 20 minutes, and its 250 cards make it highly replayable.


Some reviewers said they found it too simple and it isn't much fun with only a few players. They said that six or more players leads to more discussion, with people moving around and interacting.


Other reviewers loved that is really quick, easy to learn, and easy to teach. They also liked the art a lot.

No.3

Facade
Salem 1692

Reference price
$24.99
Mid

Anyone Could be Lying in This Game

A witch hunt has started and the witch could be any of your friends. This traitor/identity game will make you trust no one. Though most of the players will be ordinary townsfolk, some of them will be witches who will try to either kill or convert the rest into witches in order to win the game.


Though some reviewers have complained that the rules are a little hard to understand, most said that it’s highly addictive once you get the hang of it. It can make the nicest of your friends become vicious liars for 45 minutes. They also said it’s expertly crafted.

No.4

John N. Hansen
221B Baker Street

Reference price
$47.51
High

Cooperate and Solve Cases Together

This is a great game to keep players from getting too competitive. The players get a riddle and they’ll have to explore a series of clues that will help them solve the case. The game can be played by two or more, or even solitaire. There are 200 mysteries, so it has a lot of replay value.


Some reviewers complain that there were missing pieces. However, the rest of the reviewers say the rules are easy and it's fun for adults, older kids and teens. They love that it makes you think while not being overly complicated.

No.5

Asmodee
Mysterium

Reference price
$43.97
High Mid

A Non-Competitive Game for Groups

If you are looking within the no-competition realm but you have a bigger group of friends, you will like Mysterium. The players are all mediums or ghosts and work together to solve a crime that was committed at Warwick Manor. The game changes every time depending on the players.


Though it is advertised for two to seven players, the usual rules apply for four and up, and special rules have to be applied for two-and-three player mode.


A few reviewers have mentioned that it takes a long time and a bit of space to set up. Other reviewers, however, love how the game incites them to do abstract thinking. They also adored the art and the good quality of the components.

No.6

Thames & Kosmos
Exit: The Sinister Mansion

Reference price
$13.70
Low

An Escape Room in a Box

Exit can be played by one person or up to four. The players came to a haunted house to solve a crime, but they get locked inside. They will have to solve riddles and clues in order to escape before time runs out


It can only be played once, because you will damage some parts to reveal the solution. However, there are many spin-off versions in levels from novice to expert.


Some reviewers said that the puzzles are really a stretch and you have to think outside of the box in order to solve them. Other reviewers were fascinated by this game and that it’s like going to an escape room but staying at home. They said that it’s an exciting adventure and recommend others in the series too.

No.7

Indie Boards and Cards
The Resistance

Reference price
$18.60
Low Mid

An Identity Mystery Game

In this game, you are either a spy or a member of the resistance. The resistance will try to pass missions to overthrow the government, and the spies will do everything they can to prevent that from happening. The catch is that no one knows who is a spy and who is a rebel


The game is very compact so it’s easy to carry if you want to be the one who brings it to the party.


Some reviewers didn’t like that the mechanic of the game relies a lot on people talking and quiet players may get lost. Other reviewers thought that this is a really fun game. They especially loved how is suitable for a big group and big personalities.

No.8

Hunt a Killer
Death at the Dive Bar

Reference price
$29.99
Mid

An Immersive Experience Beyond a Game

The creators of the acclaimed murder mystery subscription box, Hunt a Killer, created a board game version. Unlike other games that are played with cards and boards, in this one you play with realistic props that will make you feel like a real detective


Once you discover the mystery, the game can’t be played again. However, it’s great for special occasions!


Some reviewers were disappointed that it involves a lot of reading and said that led to less discussion. Other reviewers really liked how detailed and thorough the clues are. They mention that even though you can't play again, nothing gets destroyed, so you can give the game to someone else after you play.

No.9

Hasbro
Clue Retro Series 1986

Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid

The True Mystery Board Game Classic

Of course, our list couldn’t be completed without mentioning the most famous mystery board game. There is a reason why this has been popular for 35 years, and that's because it's entertaining, the characters have funny, iconic names, and it’s easy enough for children to play


The game consists of naming the weapon, the room, and the person who committed the crime as you take on the persona of Colonel Mustard or Mrs. Peacock.


Some reviewers say they modified it to play with two people, but it doesn't really work well with fewer than three. Other than that, everyone is fascinated by Clue. They say that it’s great to have a good time with the family and that the retro version is mostly true to their memories from childhood.

No.10

The Wonder Forge
Suspicion

Reference price
$19.99
Low Mid

A Family Game With a Heist Narrative

If you like mystery games but you’re not into scary stories that involve ghosts, crime, and murder, you will like this one. The scene is the masquerade party of a wealthy art collector. However, there is a jewel thief among the guests. The players will have to use their deduction skills to find out who that is.


Some reviewers have mentioned that the game can get old or easy after a few rounds. Other reviewers, however, really liked how simple it is to play. They love that is a good game to play in families with children, and even some younger than the recommended age were able to pick it up.

Let's Play Even More Games!

Board games and card games are a great way to break the ice at parties, bond with your family and friends, and reduce your screen time. Here are more games to keep the fun going!

Top 5 Mystery Board Games

No. 1: Avalon HillBetrayal at the House on the Hill

No. 2: Grey Fox GamesDeception: Murder in Hong Kong

No. 3: FacadeSalem 1692

No. 4: John N. Hansen221B Baker Street

No. 5: AsmodeeMysterium

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