Museum Suspects (2022) Board Game

Museum Suspects is a board game designed by Phil Walker-Harding and published by Blue Orange (EU) in in 2022. It falls under the categories of bluffing and deduction games, where players must use their wits to outsmart their opponents. The game is suitable for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and above. With a runtime of 20 to 25 minutes, Museum Suspects is a quick and engaging game for family and friends.

Game Components of Museum Suspects

24 Suspects tiles

8 Clue card decks

1 Emergency Exit tile

Notebooks and pencils for each player

Detective tokens

12 Investigation tokens per player, numbered 1-6

How To Setup Museum Suspects

To set up the game, shuffle the stack of 24 Suspects tiles and draw 16, arranging them in a 4×4 grid to create Rooms. The remaining tiles are returned to the box. Shuffle each of the 8 Clue card decks, draw one card from each, and shuffle these cards together. Place one card face down on the left and right side of each row. Each player receives a notebook, pencil, one Detective token, and 12 Investigation tokens. The Emergency Exit tile is placed near the grid.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics

Deduction: Players eliminate suspects by analyzing clues.

Betting: Players place Investigation tokens on clues and suspects.

Bluffing: Players can mislead opponents with their token placements.

Game Objective

Investigate Clues: On each turn, players choose a clue card to look at secretly and place an Investigation token on it.

Suggest a Suspect: Players place an Investigation token face down on a suspect they believe is guilty or on the Emergency Exit tile if they think all suspects are innocent.

Game End: After 6 rounds, reveal the clues, eliminate indicated suspects, and determine the winner based on the points from Investigation tokens on the correct suspect(s) or the Emergency Exit.

Player Experience

Playing Museum Suspects is a smooth and quick experience. Players easily navigate through looking at clues, marking them in their notebooks, and placing Investigation tokens. The game is accessible to players aged 8 and up, making it an excellent choice for families. The reveal of clues at the end adds a tense and exciting finale, often accompanied by some playful trash talk among players.

Pros

Quick to Learn: Ready to play in under 10 minutes.

Family-Friendly Theme: A cartoon animal heist theme that works well with kids.

Engaging Finale: The reveal of clues provides a fun and tense ending.

Smooth Gameplay: No analysis paralysis; games can be played in succession.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Success or failure heavily relies on luck.

Underwhelming Token Mechanics: The strategy of placing tokens on clues to prevent others from seeing them is not very effective.

Personal Thoughts on Museum Suspects

Museum Suspects is perfect for families and casual gamers looking for a light, engaging game that can be played in under 45 minutes. While it lacks deep strategy and is heavily influenced by luck, it serves as a great introduction to deduction games and is an enjoyable alternative to more complex detective-themed games like Clue. It’s ideal for those who want a quick, fun game that promotes some deductive reasoning and bluffing without overwhelming complexity.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.