f you’re a fan of mystery, strategy, and a touch of detective work, crime board games are an ideal choice for your next game night. These games immerse players in thrilling narratives, challenging them to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and catch culprits. Unlike traditional board games, crime board games focus heavily on storytelling, deduction, and collaborative or competitive investigation.
A great crime board game combines engaging mechanics with compelling storylines, realistic challenges, and replayability. Whether you’re interrogating suspects, piecing together evidence, or uncovering sinister conspiracies, these games deliver an unforgettable experience. If you enjoy cooperative gameplay, you might also want to check out our recent post on the Best Cooperative Board Games.
Here’s a curated list of some of the best crime board games, where immersive mysteries and clever gameplay will test your detective abilities.
1. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases
Publisher: Space Cowboys
Release Year: 1981 (Revised Edition 2014)
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Players: 1-8
Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
Ages Recommended: 14+
Difficulty: High
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective invites players to step into the shoes of Baker Street Irregulars, assisting the famous detective himself. This award-winning classic blends narrative-driven gameplay with a freeform investigative experience. The Thames Murders edition includes ten cases, each steeped in Victorian intrigue and mystery.
Gameplay and How to Play
Players choose a case and start by reading its narrative introduction. Armed with a map of London, newspapers, and a casebook, you’ll visit locations, interview suspects, and gather evidence. Unlike traditional board games, there’s no dice or turns—players choose where to go and whom to question in their pursuit of answers.
Your goal is to solve the mystery and answer case-specific questions, earning points for accuracy and efficiency. While you can compare your score to Sherlock’s brilliant deductions, the real reward lies in uncovering the story.
The open-ended gameplay lets players decide how to approach each case, making every session feel like a genuine investigation. The narrative depth, combined with historical and literary references, creates a rich and immersive experience. Its detailed narrative and logical puzzles are perfect for fans of deduction.
Component Quality
The game includes beautifully crafted materials, such as detailed maps, thematic casebooks, and vintage-style newspapers. These components enhance the atmospheric immersion and bring Victorian London to life.
Why It’s a Great Crime Board Game
This game’s blend of intricate storytelling, historical setting, and freeform play makes it a staple for fans of mystery and deduction. It’s ideal for both solo sleuths and groups of aspiring detectives.
2. Hunt A Killer: Death At The Dive Bar
5 used from $20.41
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Publisher: Hunt A Killer
Release Year: 2020
Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 45-60 minutes
Ages Recommended: 14+
Difficulty: Moderate
Hunt A Killer: Death At The Dive Bar plunges players into the gritty mystery of a suspicious death at a local bar. As amateur detectives, players sift through evidence, decipher clues, and unearth secrets to determine whether the death was an accident or murder.
Gameplay and How to Play
The game presents players with a variety of physical evidence, including suspect profiles, newspaper clippings, and cryptic notes. The goal is to analyze all the materials, connect the dots, and solve the case. Players can tackle the mystery solo or collaborate in a group, piecing together evidence and discussing theories.
The non-linear approach allows players to follow leads at their own pace, making each playthrough unique. With its escape room-style puzzles, this game challenges your deductive reasoning skills.
What Makes It Fun or Interesting
The interactive nature of the clues, such as decoding hidden messages and analyzing alibis, creates an engaging and immersive experience. The suspense builds as players uncover shocking twists and startling revelations about the characters involved.
Component Quality
Hunt A Killer: Death At The Dive Bar is well-produced, with realistic evidence pieces and documents that add authenticity to the mystery-solving experience. The materials are visually appealing and cleverly designed to maintain the illusion of stepping into a real investigation.
Why It’s a Great Crime Board Game
This compact, self-contained mystery offers an ideal blend of intrigue and challenge, earning its place among the best crime board games. It’s perfect for a thrilling evening of detective work, whether solo or with friends.
3. Mysterium
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Publisher: Libellud
Release Year: 2015
Players: 2-7
Playing Time: 42 minutes
Ages Recommended: 10+
Difficulty: Moderate
In Mysterium, players collaborate to uncover the truth behind a murder. One player assumes the role of a ghost providing cryptic visions, while the others act as psychic mediums interpreting these visions to solve the mystery.
Gameplay and How to Play
The ghost uses illustrated cards to give clues about the murder weapon, location, and culprit. Mediums must discuss, debate, and interpret these abstract clues to make progress. The game is played in rounds, with each round bringing players closer to solving the crime.
The unique mechanic of silent communication through beautifully illustrated cards makes the gameplay feel mystical and engaging.
What Makes It Fun or Interesting
The cooperative nature of interpreting surreal visions leads to lively discussions and hilarious misinterpretations. The game’s theme and artwork create an immersive atmosphere, making each session memorable.
Component Quality
The game boasts stunning artwork and high-quality components, including thick, oversized cards and a sturdy game board. The visual appeal enhances the overall experience.
Why It’s a Great Crime Board Game
With its blend of deduction and creativity, Mysterium stands out among the best crime board games. It’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy a mix of mystery and artistry.
4. Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Publisher: Portal Games
Release Year: 2018
Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 120-180 minutes
Ages Recommended: 16+
Difficulty: High
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game immerses players in the role of investigators working for a modern detective agency. Using real-world information, an interactive database, and clever deduction, players work cooperatively to solve interconnected cases.
Gameplay and How to Play
The game spans five cases, each interconnected through a larger overarching narrative. Players use a combination of physical clues, digital databases, and online resources to analyze evidence, interrogate suspects, and unravel the mystery. Time management is crucial, as you have a limited number of days to solve each case.
To play, you follow leads by visiting locations, interrogating characters, and analyzing files. Each decision consumes time, pushing players to prioritize which paths to explore. The game seamlessly integrates technology through its app and online database, elevating the mystery-solving experience.
What Makes It Fun or Interesting
The game’s innovative integration of real-world resources and digital tools creates a truly immersive experience. The multilayered storytelling, coupled with challenging puzzles, makes players feel like true detectives. It’s perfect for those who enjoy deep narrative experiences and solving complex crimes.
Component Quality
The physical components, including cards and case files, are of high quality, while the use of a digital app ensures an up-to-date and engaging interface for players.
Why It’s a Great Crime Board Game
With its blend of technology and classic board game mechanics, Detective redefines the genre and ranks among the best crime board games. Its modern approach and intense challenges keep players coming back for more.
5. Chronicles of Crime
Free shipping
Amazon.com
Publisher: Lucky Duck Games
Release Year: 2018
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 60-90 minutes
Ages Recommended: 12+
Difficulty: Moderate
Chronicles of Crime merges traditional board game mechanics with an app-driven experience, taking players on exciting crime-solving adventures. Using QR codes, players can interact with characters, analyze evidence, and explore locations to uncover the truth.
Gameplay and How to Play
The game starts with players scanning QR codes on character and location cards using the app. The app provides narrative details and interactive elements, guiding the investigation. Players must work together to interrogate witnesses, gather evidence, and solve cases within a limited timeframe.
A virtual reality (VR) element is included in some scenarios, allowing players to explore crime scenes in 3D using compatible devices. This feature adds an extra layer of immersion to the gameplay.
What Makes It Fun or Interesting
The seamless integration of app technology and physical gameplay keeps players engaged and adds variety to each session. The VR exploration feature is a unique highlight, offering an unparalleled level of immersion in crime board games.
Component Quality
The game’s physical components, including cards and boards, are well-made, and the app provides a smooth and intuitive interface. The VR component enhances the production value significantly.
Why It’s a Great Crime Board Game
Chronicles of Crime stands out among the best crime board games for its innovative use of technology, engaging scenarios, and accessibility for players of all experience levels.
