Board Game Review: Clue

Clue, the crime solving board game from Hasbro/Parker Brothers, has captivated all ages since its creation in 1949. A family-favorite, Clue provides players with a new murder mystery to solve each game. Players are challenged to test their sleuthing abilities as they try to solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Boddy, with what weapon, and in which room.

The Premise:

Mr. Boddy has been found murdered in one of the rooms of his mansion. There are six suspects, six weapons, and nine rooms. To win the game, you, as the detective must solve the mystery of Mr. Boddy's murder by determining who killed him, with what weapon, and in which room.

The Equipment:

Each game has six different colored pawns, which represent the six suspects, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Ms. Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard. The suspects' names match their pawn colors, for example, Mrs. White is the white pawn, Ms. Scarlett is the red pawn, and Professor Plum is the purple pawn.

The six miniature weapons include the revolver, lead pipe, wrench, candlestick, knife, and the rope. One die is also included. Clue cards are then separated into three categories: suspects, weapons, and rooms. A confidential case file envelope and detective notepads are the final pieces of equipment for the game. Players must supply their own pencils to take notes during game-play.

The board, styled after a 1920's mansion, features nine rooms for the suspects to enter. Each room is labeled and designed with an element that defines the room. For example, the dining room space has a fancy tablecloth design, the ballroom looks like parquet flooring, and the library sports the look of a leather-bound book. The moving spaces of the board resemble a mansion's marble flooring. The elements of the board's design are appealing and draw the players into the mood of the game.

The Play:

Clue is a simple game to play and is recommended for ages eight to adult. A typical game lasts less than an hour and involves deductive reasoning and a little luck. It is a game best played with three to six players. Two people can play it, but it is not near as much fun and strategy is difficult to employ against just one other player.

The Fun:

Clue is not a complicated game to play and after several rounds does become a bit predictable. It is at its most exciting when it is played with six players. It is a nice addition to any family game night, although some parents may find the theme of a murder mystery complete with mini-weapons not appropriate for younger children. Clue the original board game can be found at retailers and on-line for prices ranging from $14.99 and higher.

Stands the Test of Time:

Our family's Clue game, purchased in 1979, has been played too many times to count. The rules and game set-up instructions are easy to follow and printed conveniently on the inside of the box, eliminating the possibility of losing the instruction sheet. Even after almost 30 years of playing with this board game, the colors have not faded from the board and we are still using the originally detective pads.

New Clue:

Hasbro, now owned by Parker Brothers, released an updated version of Clue in August of 2008. This new edition is set in a modern mansion that features an indoor swimming pool, guesthouse, hall, dining room, kitchen, patio, spa, theatre, living room, and observatory. Hasbro has done away with the original lead pipe and wrench and changed the revolver to a pistol. New weapons have been added in the forms of a baseball bat, an axe, and a trophy.

Also new are Intrigue cards. Intrigue cards are keepers and clocks. Keepers give players special abilities such as, "you can see the card" and clocks count down to one player's elimination. This new version retails for about $24.99.

Clue is an appealing game for all generations. As compared to other high strategy games like Risk, Clue is accessible to those who want a little challenge with only moderate plotting. It is not near as competitive as Monopoly or Sorry. Clue is a recommended addition to any family's board game collection.