What Makes a Great Murder Mystery Game? (And Why We Obsess Over It)

At Min(d)gle, we have a bit of a thing for murder.

Okay, fictional murder. Let’s be clear. (Our founder is one of the rare male who listens to Stephanie Soo.)

We’re not in this to shock or scare—we’re here because we believe in connection. We design experiences that bring people together through storytelling, shared chaos, and just enough suspicion to spark a few dramatic accusations. Murder mystery games? They hit that sweet spot every time.

But in a world overflowing with murder mystery options—board games, boxed sets, RPGs, downloads, improv scripts—how do you choose? And if you're feeling wildly ambitious, how do you make your own without it falling apart halfway through?

Here’s our take, from the perspective of people who live and breathe this stuff (and regularly debate whether a fake poison bottle should have glitter or not).

What Is the Best Murder Mystery Game?

We get asked this a lot. And the real answer is: it depends on your group.

You could have the most brilliantly designed mystery in the world, but if you plop it in front of people who don’t want to read long scripts or do character voices, it’ll fall flat. The best murder mystery game isn’t about production value—it’s about the people in the room and whether the game gives them permission to let loose.

At Min(d)gle, we build for this exact balance. Our games are interactive, flexible, and group-tested to work for extroverts and introverts, clue-lovers and drama queens. We believe the best experience happens when everyone has a role to play, a reason to play it, and a few unexpected turns along the way.

So yeah, we’re biased. But for good reason.

How to Make a Murder Mystery RPG (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s say you’re brave. You’re making your own game. First off: respect and salute. It’s a big task, but it can be ridiculously fun if you keep it focused on your players.

Start with the world. Where are we? A cursed cruise? A wizard's conference? A high school reunion with a deadly twist? Theme sets the tone.

Then build your cast. Everyone should have:

• A secret

• A connection to the victim

• Something they want (not always related to the murder)

People love having goals. Even more if those goals mess with each other.

The murder comes last. Yep, you heard that right. Set the scene, know your characters, then decide who dies and who did it. That way, your story feels organic, not forced. And once you know who the killer is, you can start planting clues—the kind that feel obvious after the reveal.

We approach our game creation a lot like this: character-first, logic-backed, and always with room for surprise.

What Is the Murder Mystery Board Game Called?

There are so many now, it’s like asking, "What’s the board game with the dice?"

But the classics you’ll hear about:

• Clue (Cluedo): The gateway drug. Colonel Mustard, candlestick, etc.

• Mysterium: A ghost gives clues through abstract images. Visually stunning.

• Deception: Murder in Hong Kong: Combines social deduction with clue-solving. Great for large, competitive groups.

• Chronicles of Crime: Blends board game with digital investigation. Feels like CSI but you actually enjoy it.

At Min(d)gle, we don’t sell boxed board games (yet), but we love them. They’re great for puzzle-driven players. That said, we found there was a gap: something more alive. Something that felt more like theatre, but without needing a stage. That’s where our live and hybrid games come in.

We want players to become the characters. Not just read them.

Is There a Free Murder Mystery Game for Large Groups?

Yes, but it comes with caveats.

There are plenty of free murder mystery kits online, especially if you’re willing to print, prep, and maybe adapt them for your group. They usually come with character sheets, clue handouts, and a few plot twists. Some are great. Some are, well, written in Comic Sans.

If you’re planning for 10+ people and need something free:

• Check library and educator websites (they make surprisingly good games)

• Look for community-built options on Google Drive or Reddit

• Consider adapting a basic game and adding your own twist

Or, if budget allows, go semi-free: buy one solid game and reuse it. Some experiences are replayable, especially if different people take different roles each time. 

At Min(d)gle, we get that cost can be a barrier—especially for teachers, community leaders, or friend groups trying to plan something fun without breaking the bank. That’s why we design experiences that scale. One host can run the game for a whole group. You don’t need a full cast of professionals or a room full of props.

For example, our Haunted Mansion game comes in two parts. This means you and your group and play this game at least twice. It is also mixed in with puzzles - maybe it will take several hours (or meet-ups) to finish the entire storyline. 

It just takes the right story.

Why We Keep Making These Games

We don’t build murder mystery games because they’re trendy. We build them because they’re meaningful.

At their best, these games give people an excuse to be silly, smart, sneaky, or strange—without fear of getting it wrong. They get people talking. Laughing. Thinking. They let people show up in ways they might not usually get to. That’s not just fun. That’s connection.

And that’s our mission at Min(d)gle: to bring people together through shared, interactive experiences that let everyone play.

So whether you're buying the latest murder mystery board game, making your own RPG from scratch, or showing up to one of our game nights in a full detective outfit (respect), we hope you get what we all need a little more of:

Moments that connect. Stories that stick. And just enough drama to keep it interesting.