Games Like Clue, but Are Better

I rescued our Clue game from my parents house. The old school style flat game box now has a place along side my more “modern” board games. I think I may be missing the “rope” from the original set. However totally staying within theme, I cleverly replaced it with a piece of yarn. Not quite as intimidating as the lead pipe – but it serves it purpose. Our family bought an updated version of the game – but I guess because of the nostalgia of it all, I’m not quite ready to toss out the old Clue game. It’s not that Clue is a great game, but similar to games like Monopoly, Life, or Battleship – at one time or another it seems that every family at one time or another has owned the game Clue. (I guess in Britain it is called Cluedo?). There are plenty of other games that are like Clue – but better. If you like Clue and want that detective feeling, take a look at these games that are like Clue but better.

Games Like Clue

Codenames	Mysterium
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective	Alchemists
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong	Mr. Jack
Spyfall	Clue – Re-Themes

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What Makes Clue Fun?

Back in the day (and that day somewhere in 1949) Clue delivered quite well on being able to solve a classic murder mystery. The game could hold up to 6 people, each holding bits of information on who may have killed the host. Using a simple roll and move method, players would journey around the board and begin creating the iconic accusations such as “It was Mrs. Peacock, in the Kitchen, with the Knife.” Then if you were lucky, you’d be able to narrow down suspects and locations, and of course a weapon based on the various clues (actually anti-clues as it generally disproves the accusations) that were revealed to you. Let me take a deeper dive into some of the elements that made Clue good, and why these other games like Clue are better.

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The qualities above are what I used to decide what game to include in this list. Some of qualities show up more than others, but they are all important.

Codenames

Codenames transforms word association into a covert mission. Players, acting as codegivers and codebreakers, use one-word/one-number clues to direct their teammates to the right words on a grid of possible choices in front of them. The game operates as a race, creating a sense of urgency as teams compete to identify their words before the opposing team guess theirs. The easy rule set ensures accessibility, with a very easy setup and straightforward gameplay allowing for a quick and fun team experience. For a game you can generally find easily under $15, you really can’t go wrong here!

• Hidden Information: Each Codegiver knows the specific words they need to get their team to guess, as well as words they must avoid. Players strategize to decipher the meaning behind each word and number clue clue, considering all the words on the board and what their team is guiding them to.
• Deduction: Players make strategic connections based on one-word/one number clues to identify their target words. The challenge lies in providing a concise clue that directs teammates to the correct words without leading them astray. Teams will have to extrapolate past clues as well as listen to the clues of the other team in hopes of figuring out their own target words
• Race to Solution: Teams compete to identify their words before the opposing team guesses theirs. This creates a dynamic race against time, intensifying the deduction process as players strive for quick, accurate identifications. Clue givers will have to take more risks if they are falling behind.
• Easy Rules: Minimal setup and straightforward game play allow for quick understanding that create a great party gameplay experience.

MYSTERIUM

Mysterium immerses players in a cooperative quest to solve a murder using surreal visions. Hidden information is conveyed through the ghost player’s visions, known only to them. Players use beautiful (albeit highly interpretive) cards that should convey some sort of message as to who did it and where. The easy rule set, while having a few twists is easily understood, allowing players to focus on deduction and storytelling. Mysterium offers a unique blend of deduction, collaboration, and an immersive narrative, making it a unique experience to new board gamers.

• Hidden Information: Ghost player’s visions provide obscure clues known only to them. The ghost must convey these visions non-verbally, creating a mysterious layer to the deduction process.
• Deduction: Collaborative deduction as players interpret abstract clues. Players discuss and analyze the visions to collectively identify the suspect, location, and weapon. This is where the game really shines as the players work together to come up with the solution.
• Race to Solution: Cooperative urgency to decipher visions before time runs out. Players work against the clock to solve the mystery.
• Easy Rules: Minimal setup and straightforward game play allow for quick understanding that create a great party gameplay experience. The focus remains on deduction and storytelling and does not let the rules get in the way

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Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

In Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, you are presented with a mystery to solve, and it is then up to you to trace the threads of evidence through the byways and mansions of nineteenth century London. You will interview suspects, search the newspapers for clues, and put together the facts to reach a solution.  Set in Victorian London, this detective game unfolds through rich case narratives. The competitive element is introduced as players race against the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes to crack the case. This is great for smaller crowds and even has a solo variant. Despite the complexity of the cases, the easy rule set ensures that players can delve into deduction and storytelling without being overwhelmed.

• Hidden Information: Case narratives provide hidden details, requiring deduction. Players gather information from newspapers, interviews, and other sources to uncover the truth.
• Deduction: Players piece together clues to solve intricate cases. Deduction involves analyzing the narrative, connecting events, and forming logical conclusions to unveil the mystery.
• Race to Solution: Competitive element as players race against time to solve cases. The pressure of outsmarting Sherlock Holmes adds an additional layer of excitement and urgency to the deduction process.
• Easy Rules: Despite complex cases, the rule set is relatively easy for engaging gameplay. The focus remains on immersive deduction and storytelling without overly complex rules.

Alchemists

In Alchemists, two to four budding alchemists compete to discover the secrets of their mystical art. Points can be earned in various ways, but most points are earned by publishing theories – correct theories, that is — and therein lies the problem. Alchemists fuses deduction with potion-making in a fantastical world. Hidden information is integral, with players privately deducing the magical properties of ingredients. Despite the strategic depth, an easy rule set ensures accessibility, allowing players to focus on the intriguing blend of deduction and potion-making. Alchemists provides an intellectually stimulating experience, weaving together hidden information, deduction, and a competitive race into a unique tabletop adventure. One of the most innovative games on this list, using an app on your phone to help guide the game play. Sure this game is not a “who done it’, but shares many of the same qualities. A very unique experience idea- A game better than Clue – I think so!

• Hidden Information: Players deduce magical properties of ingredients privately. Each player explores the mystical properties of ingredients through experimentation, forming hypotheses about their effects.
• Deduction: Deduce magical properties through experimentation and logic. Players conduct experiments, test hypotheses, and gather information to deduce the correct properties, combining deduction with strategic decision-making.
• Race to Solution: Competitive race to publish accurate theories before opponents. The game introduces a race element as players strive to be the first to publish valid theories, adding a layer of urgency to the deduction process.
• Easy Rules: Despite strategic depth, the game maintains an accessible rule set. The use of the app facilitates some of the rules leg work. The rules are designed to facilitate engagement in deduction and potion-making without unnecessary complexity.

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Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

In this Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, participants assume the roles of investigators striving to unravel a murder mystery, yet there’s a captivating twist – the culprit is concealed among the investigators themselves! At the outset, each player is randomly assigned a role and team, featuring distinctive positions like Forensic Scientist, Witness, Investigator, Murderer, and Accomplice. As the Investigators endeavor to uncover the facts, the murderer’s team engages in cunning deception, creating a thrilling battle of intellect! Discover who among you can unravel the web of deceit to expose the truth, and identify who has the acumen to execute the perfect crime! You can’t be willy nilly with your accusations – guess to soon, and you’ve been eliminated! Deception is great as it can handle higher player counts and feels more like a party game than any other on the list.

• Hidden Information:  One player secretly becomes the murderer, actively misleading others. The murderer must carefully choose clues to divert suspicion while avoiding detection. Only the Forensic Investigator knows the truth everyone else is a suspect.
• Deduction: Analyzing clues to identify the murderer and murder weapon. Players discuss and debate the significance of the presented clues, forming deductive conclusions to identify the culprit. Finding the little missteps and reading the body language of everyone at the table is the way to win this game. As the murderer, can you cast doubt on someone else?
• Race to Solution: Race against the clock to identify the murderer before time runs out. The game creates a sense of urgency, turning the deduction process into a dynamic race against time.
• Easy Rules: Simple rule set for quick understanding of the game. The accessible rules facilitate immediate engagement, allowing players to focus on deduction and social interaction.

Mr. Jack

In the game Mr. Jack, one of the two players take the role Jack the Ripper, discreetly assuming one of the eight characters on the board. This player is privy to the identity of Mr. Jack and endeavors to swiftly vacate the the game board (or elude accusation for eight turns). Meanwhile, the other player takes on the role of an investigator (not visually represented on the board), with the task of deducing Jack’s identity through a single accusation throughout the game.
Each turn involves players manipulating the characters, utilizing their unique abilities, and positioning them in either shadows or light. At the turn’s conclusion, witnesses declare whether Jack is discernible — in light or adjacent to another character — or concealed (isolated in the shadows). This information aids the investigator in identifying innocent characters. As the game unfolds, the investigator attempts to eliminate suspects while Jack endeavors to escape. Intuition, logic, and composure become crucial for both participants in this engaging pursuit.

• Hidden Information:  In this two player deduction dueler, only one player knows which character on the board Jack is, while although is manipulated by the other player as well. He must be cagy on how he moves Jack around so not to make it obvious who is who.
• Deduction: Using a clever system of shining lights or standing adjacent to other characters, players have to slowly use a process of elimination to deduce who Jack is
• Race to Solution: With a limited amount of rounds for Jack to exit the city and the investigator to determine who Jack is, both sides fell the pressure.
• Easy Rules: Easy to handle tokens and roles on each character make this game easy to play at all ages

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Spyfall

Spyfall is this cool game that unfolds over several rounds. In each round, everyone gets these cards showing the same place, like a casino, circus, pirate ship, or even a space station. But here’s the twist: one person gets a card that says “Spy” instead of the location. Sneaky, right? Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You start asking each other questions, like “Why are you dressed so strangely?” or “When was the last time we got a payday?” – basically, anything goes. The catch is, the spy has no clue where they are, so they’ve got to pay attention and come up with a convincing story when it’s their turn to answer. Here’s the fun part: at any point during the round, someone can point fingers and accuse another player of being the spy. If everyone else agrees, the accused spills the beans. If they were the spy, everyone else scores points. But here’s the thing – the spy can also end the round by guessing the secret location. If they’re right, only the spy gets points. After a bunch of rounds filled with guessing, suspicion, and a bit of bluffing, the game wraps up. The player with the most points is the big winner! It’s all about figuring out who the spy is while keeping a straight face and maybe throwing in a few curveball questions.

• Hidden Information:  One player doesn’t know the location, introducing a spy element. The spy must navigate conversations without knowing the setting, adding an extra layer of hidden information.
• Deduction: Players ask and answer questions, analyzing responses to identify the player who lacks knowledge of the location. It is all about getting the spy to trip up, while not tipping your own hand to the location.
• Race to Solution: Race against the spy to maintain secrecy. The game introduces a race element as players strive to identify the spy before they can reveal the location, creating tension and urgency.
• Easy Rules: Simple rules with a focus on deductive conversations. The uncomplicated rules prioritize player interactions, ensuring that the deduction process remains accessible and engaging.

Clue – re-Themes

Ok I suppose this is a bit of a cheat. That said, if you loved Clue and truly are looking for more of the same – let’s just say there are options out there. There are some great Clue Jr. games, as well as games that have simply been reimplemented around a particular theme.

Hidden information and deduction “mechanics” show up in a lot of different modern board games – Kudos to Clue for being one of the front runners. Games have evolved quite a bit from that first edition of Clue – hopefully you’ve been able to find a game like Clue, but better! Keep gaming!