Suspects: Claire Harper Takes the Stage

I've been on a bit of a detective fiction kick lately, and I have to say, Suspects: Claire Harper Takes the Stage scratched that itch perfectly! The game offers three self-contained murder mysteries, each with its own unique setting and cast of characters. The gameplay is engaging, feeling more like cracking open a classic Agatha Christie novel than a typical escape room game. You really have to dig into the clues and put the pieces together to solve each case.

I particularly appreciated the way the game guides your investigation through a deck of cards. Each card presents a new piece of information, and the game encourages you to follow the clues as they unfold. I enjoyed the feeling of being a detective, carefully piecing together the evidence. The scoring system is also clever, rewarding you for making deductions early on, but allowing you to change your mind as you discover more clues.

Some reviewers have mentioned that the game can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially for younger players. While the recommended age is 10+, I'd say this is a game that's better suited for teens and adults. However, it's definitely a game that can be enjoyed by the whole family, especially if you're all into mysteries.

The game components are high quality and well-designed. The cards are sturdy and the artwork is beautiful. The only minor issue I encountered was keeping track of the cards as you go through them, as the scoring system relies on knowing how many cards you've drawn. This wasn't a major problem, but it did require a bit more effort than I would have liked.

Overall, I highly recommend Suspects: Claire Harper Takes the Stage to anyone who enjoys a good mystery game. It's a fun, engaging, and challenging game that provides hours of entertainment. Even though you can only play through each case once, the high quality of the game and the multiple mysteries make it a great value for the price.