Disclaimer: We haven’t played every game on this list — this is a consolidated research guide. As we play more, we’ll update it with first-hand reviews.
After playing Deception: Murder in Hong Kong and loving escape rooms, we wanted something different for our group. Planning a murder mystery party for the first time is overwhelming — there’s a sea of options and almost no objective reviews.
We dug deep so you don’t have to.
Scripted vs. Unscripted
The biggest distinction in murder mystery games: scripted (players follow a set script) vs. unscripted (free-flowing, player-driven). We chose unscripted because we love social deduction and letting people’s personalities drive the action.
This list focuses exclusively on unscripted murder mystery party companies.
Quick Comparison
| Company | Players | Time | Download | Host Plays | Murderer Unaware | Extra Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Mystery Party | 8–40+ | 1.5–4 hrs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Some games |
| Night of Mystery | 6–80+ | 1.5–4+ hrs | ✓ | ✓ | Partially | ✓ |
| Shot in the Dark | 8–18 (200 detectives) | 2–3 hrs | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Playing with Murder | 8–100+ | 30 min or 1.5–4 hrs | ✓ | Partial | — | ✓ |
| Party Time Mysteries | 10–18 | 1.5–3 hrs | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Freeform Games | 6–40 | 1.5–3 hrs | ✓ | Limited | — | ✓ + Special Abilities |
| Haley Productions | 20–125+ | 1.5–2 hrs | ✓ | Narrator role | Varies | — |
| Dinner and a Murder | 8–20+ | 2.5–3 hrs | ✓ + box | ✓ | — | ✓ |
1. My Mystery Party
Our top pick — and the one we used for our first party.
My Mystery Party has a dedicated writer with deep experience in this niche. Their biggest strength is inclusion: the host can play along, choosing exactly how much or how little they want to know. The victim stays in the game (as a ghost after round 2), and the murderer doesn’t learn their identity until round 3’s solution envelope — so everyone is genuinely playing the whole time.
Players receive objectives, things to say, and things to conceal each round, which drives interaction naturally. Some games include bonus objectives. Costume and food suggestions are included, as is a rough event timeline.
Highlights:
- Supports groups of 40+
- Over 40,000 Facebook fans
- Massive theme selection (Halloween, Christmas, 1920s, and dozens more)
- Games are downloadable; optional printed/assembled package available for extra
- One of the only companies with a monitored phone line for support
2. Night of Mystery
Very similar to My Mystery Party in structure and quality. What sets Night of Mystery apart is its extra player objectives — secondary goals layered on top of the murder mystery (e.g., “collect enough money to pay off your gambling debts” or “get someone to carry your purse all night”). This adds a second layer that makes it genuinely ambiguous whether someone is in-character or pursuing a hidden goal.
The host can play with full control over how much they know. Price scales with player count, which is a minor downside. Available only as a download — no printed option.
3. Shot in the Dark Mysteries
Excellent customer service — they replied to us almost immediately and their site has a genuinely helpful, supportive tone. Games are fully downloadable with emailable suspect guides and well-marked files for the Big Reveal.
They cap at 18 suspects due to complexity, but have run up to 200 people as detectives alongside those suspects — a clever solution for very large groups. Most games require even gender splits, but they’re flexible on customization (sometimes at a small fee).
Also caters specifically to kids and teens if that’s your audience. About 35 different mysteries available.
4. Playing with Murder
Claims to produce more complex mysteries than average. Here the host knows the murderer and victim from the start and plays more as a narrator/facilitator — moving things along and answering questions rather than being a suspect.
Accommodates 8–100+ players, with required and optional character slots. Games run 90 minutes to 4 hours; a 30-minute option is available to try the concept risk-free.
Their download package is extensive and includes extras you may not realize you need. Extra character objectives and sound effects are included with full-length games.
Exclusive discount for our readers: use code HEXAGAMERS at checkout for 20% off.
5. Party Time Mysteries
A smaller company with around half a dozen games, but they check most of the boxes. Download-only. Host can play without knowing the murderer. Players have objectives and play money to accumulate throughout the night. Character backstories tend to be longer here, so guests may need more prep time.
Game sizes: 10–18 players, some with expansion packs. Duration: 1.5–3 hours. Priced slightly lower than competitors, which is worth investigating if quality holds up.
6. Freeform Games
Adds a unique twist: each character gets special abilities (e.g., pickpocket money from another player, force someone to share information) usable a limited number of times. This requires real strategy about when to deploy your ability, and adds uncertainty — you can’t tell if someone’s acting strangely because of their character or because they just used an ability.
Good theme selection, reasonable pricing, and 6–40 player range. The host has a role (e.g., bartender) but cannot participate in solving the murder. Sign up for their newsletter to get a free game for up to 10 players.
7. Haley Productions
Built for large groups: 20–125+ people. Their setup is different — 6–8 primary suspects are deeply involved from the start while the rest of the guests play as detectives. Primary suspects have backstories and clues to share as guests mingle and ask questions.
Two modes: suspects know everything (full actors), or they don’t know whodunit and solve it alongside guests. Very reasonably priced given the group size supported. Best for groups with enthusiastic performers who want to be in character all night.
8. Dinner and a Murder
Older website, no Facebook presence, but a solid reputation. Offers both download and boxed sets. Supports 8–20+ players with unscripted gameplay. Character objectives drive the action — each character has hints and plots, some of them morally questionable, letting players choose how to play.
Their example sums it up well: Joe steals a vase from Mary. Kim sees it. Kim can tell everyone, blackmail Joe, do nothing, or tell Mary — all depending on her goals. Host can play; games run 2.5–3+ hours.
Wrap Up
Any of these companies will give you a memorable night. We chose unscripted games because we love the chaos of genuine reactions — but scripted options exist too if your group prefers structure.
If you’re hosting a big group, also check out our Best Party Board Games list. And if your crowd is newer to gaming, Best Board Games for Beginners is a good companion read.
Let us know in the comments which company you tried and how it went — real reviews from real groups help everyone make a better choice.
