Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel (2023) Board Game

Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel is a board game released in 2023 by Hasbro. It is designed by George Feledichuk, David “Duvey” Rudow, and Leo Taylor, with artwork by Henning Ludvigsen. The game falls under the deduction and murder/mystery category, where players work together to solve a crime in a modular board setting.

Game Components of Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel

Dynamic 3D Gameboard: Builds up room-by-room as players solve puzzles and unlock new areas.

Character Pawns: Representing the infamous Clue cast.

Narrative Cards: Advance the story and provide context.

Puzzle Cards: Contain various brain teasers, including visual puzzles, wordplay, numbers, and logic riddles.

Clue Cards: Hold essential information for solving the mystery.

Card Deck: Includes a mix of narrative, puzzle, and clue cards.

How To Setup Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel

To set up the game, players start by choosing their characters and reading the intro story. Then, they set up the initial game board and card deck. The game includes a tutorial section that guides players through the setup and initial gameplay, making it easy to jump in without needing to read the entire rules booklet.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to solve puzzles and uncover clues.

Turn-Based Investigation: Players take turns investigating different sections of the hotel by drawing cards.

Puzzle Solving: Crack puzzles to unlock new rooms and clues.

Dynamic Board: The board expands as players progress, revealing new rooms and details.

Collect Clues: Gather evidence to deduce the WHO, WHERE, and WHAT to solve the mystery.

Escape the Hotel: Escape the hotel before midnight and then solve the final mystery.

Player Experience

In **Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel**, players embark on an investigative journey through a dynamic 3D hotel board. The game is designed to be collaborative, allowing each player to contribute to solving the mystery. The narrative is engaging, with a storyline that continues from the events of Mr. Black’s murder, involving an attempt to steal his blackmail files. However, the puzzles are generally easier and more linear compared to other games in the series, making it more suitable for younger players or beginners.

Pros

Immersive Storyline: Continues the classic Clue mystery in a new setting.

Dynamic 3D Board: The board builds up as the game progresses, adding to the excitement.

Cooperative Fun: Encourages teamwork and collaboration among players.

Easy Setup: The tutorial section makes it easy to start playing without extensive rule-reading.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for family game nights due to its collaborative and educational nature.

Cons

Easy Puzzles: Puzzles are relatively simple, which may not challenge experienced players.

Linear Gameplay: The game feels more linear and less involved compared to previous installments.

Less Puzzling: More narrative cards than puzzle cards, which can reduce the puzzling factor.

No Dead Ends: Lack of extra cards for wrong guesses, which can make the game less challenging.

Personal Thoughts on Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel

**Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel** is best for board game lovers, Clue fans, and families looking for a fun, cooperative game night experience. It is particularly suited for beginners and younger players due to its easier puzzles and more linear gameplay. While it may not offer the same level of complexity as other escape room games, it provides a charming and engaging experience that keeps players entertained and invested in solving the mystery. If you’re seeking a game that’s easy to dive into and enjoys a good narrative, **Clue Escape: The Midnight Hotel** is a great choice.

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