Clue (2013) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Clue, originally released in 1949 as Cluedo in the UK, is a classic murder mystery board game where players must deduce who committed the crime, with what weapon, and in which room. The game has been a favorite for generations, with various editions and adaptations over the years.

Game Components of Clue

Two-sided game board: Featuring a mansion on one side and a boardwalk on the other.

Yellow murder envelope: Holds the solution cards for the mystery.

Clue characters sheet: Lists the suspects and their details.

Notepads: For players to keep track of clues.

6 character tokens: Representing the suspects.

6 weapon tokens: Including a candlestick, revolver, lead pipe, rope, wrench, and knife.

27 black clue cards: Containing information about rooms, characters, and weapons.

3 red bonus cards: Randomizers that add special rules to the game.

2 dice: For determining player movement.

Instructions: Detailed rules for setting up and playing the game.

How To Setup Clue

To set up the game, players start by randomly selecting and placing the solution cards (one room, one character, and one weapon) into the yellow murder envelope. Each player chooses a character token and places it at the starting location on the board. Players receive a notepad to track their clues. The game board is set up with either the mansion or the boardwalk side facing up, depending on the scenario chosen.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement: Players roll dice to determine how many spaces they can move their character token.

Investigation: Players visit different rooms to gather information by asking other players about the cards in their hands.

Clue Collection: Players collect and eliminate possibilities by marking off rooms, characters, and weapons on their notepad.

Objective: The first player to correctly guess the room, character, and weapon involved in the murder wins the game.

Player Experience

Playing Clue involves a mix of luck, strategy, and deduction. Players must navigate the board, gather clues, and eliminate possibilities to solve the mystery. The game can be engaging and challenging, especially when played with a group that employs strategic misdirection and manipulation of the metagame.

Pros

Engaging Deduction: Encourages critical thinking and strategic planning.

Variable Scenarios: The two-sided board offers different crime scenes, adding replay value.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up, making it a great family game.

Cons

Roll-and-Move Mechanic: Can be frustrating if players roll poorly, hindering their progress.

Randomness: The game relies on dice rolls, which can introduce randomness that affects player experience.

Personal Thoughts on Clue

Clue is an excellent choice for those who enjoy mystery and deduction games. It is particularly suited for families and casual gamers who appreciate a blend of strategy and luck. For hardcore gamers, there are alternative versions like Clue FX or other games like Mystery of the Abbey that offer more complex mechanics and less randomness. However, the 2013 edition of Clue remains a fun and accessible introduction to deductive gameplay.

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