Here in the United States, Memorial Day represents the unofficial start of summer, and often revolves around large family gatherings and outdoor grilling. If you’ve got a diverse group of family and friends coming over this holiday weekend, a deep, think-y mystery might not fit the bill. So today, let’s focus on some lighter-weight mystery party games that even non-gamers can have fun playing as a group.
Mysterium
Players: 2-7
One player takes on the role of a ghost, guiding others (psychics) to solve their murder using only abstract dream cards. The psychics must decipher the images to deduce the weapon, location, and killer.
Gathering remotely this holiday weekend? Play Mysterium online
Deception: Murder in Hong Kong
Players: 4-12
Players take on roles as investigators trying to solve a crime, but among them is the murderer. Using clue cards, the forensic scientist tries to help the investigators determine both the means of murder and key evidence before the murderer gets away.
The Resistance
Players: 5-10
Players are divided into two teams: the Resistance and the Spies. Through a series of missions, the Resistance is trying to uncover who the spies are, while the spies are trying to sabotage the missions without getting caught.
Kill Doctor Lucky
Players: 2-8
This is a sort of prequel to the classic board game “Clue”. Instead of solving a murder, players are trying to commit one. The goal is to kill Dr. Lucky without any other player witnessing the act. Players move around a mansion, collect murder weapons, and try to be alone in a room with Dr. Lucky to attempt murder.
Codenames
Players: 2-8 (Best with 4-8 for team play)
In “Codenames”, players split into two teams with each team having a spymaster. The spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess the words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team, and everyone is trying to avoid the assassin.
If you want a wider variety that live at the intersection of “mystery games” and “party games”, search for “social deduction games”. There are dozens of similar games with a variety of themes to fit your group, where you’re rooting anything from werewolves to spies to fascists.
Whatever game you choose, remember that most important role a mystery game can play at a family gathering is to bring people together to have fun. So whether your group thrives on friendly competition, or prefers teaming up in groups, pick something that helps build wonderful memories this holiday weekend.
