Cover of the game Unusual Suspects

Unusual Suspects

Cranio Creations, 999 Games, Albi · Board game · 2015
Ludopedia
6.9 Ludopedia
BoardGameGeek
6.4 BoardGameGeek
Players
3–16 · best 4
Play Time
20 min
Weight
Weight 1.1/5
Year
Year 2015
Minimum age
Minimum age 14+
Buy · from US$ 30.20
6.9 rating Ludopedia
6.4 rating BoardGameGeek
Our Verdict

A quick deduction game blending police investigation and team fun.

Highlights
  • Fast and accessible
  • Limited communication fun
  • Cooperative and competitive modes
Keep in mind
  • Answers limited to yes or no
  • Depends on question cards
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Unusual Suspects is a card game that blends a police deduction theme with a touch of humor. In each session, one player takes on the role of the witness, while the rest form the detective team. The witness knows the real identity of the culprit but has no recollection of their appearance; instead, they hold deep knowledge of the criminal’s habits and behaviors. The detectives must ask yes-or-no questions to the witness using question cards that probe various aspects of the suspect. Each answer helps filter the list of suspects on a 12-card grid, gradually narrowing options until only the culprit remains. The game works both in cooperative mode, where everyone works together to find the culprit, and in competitive mode, where two rival teams race to uncover the murderer first. Beyond the question-and-answer mechanic, Unusual Suspects introduces communication limits: the witness can only answer with yes or no, forcing detectives to interpret clues creatively. The game is quick, with 20‑minute rounds, and is ideal for groups who enjoy mystery, deduction, and social interaction. With a murder/mystery theme and a party‑game vibe, it fits well into game nights with friends, offering accessible and repeatable fun without requiring extensive setup or complex rules. If you enjoy detective games, teamwork, and want something that fits into a 20‑minute slot, Unusual Suspects could be your next favorite.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

4 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–16 players
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 REC
8 REC
9 OK
10 OK
11 OK
12 OK
13 OK
14 OK
15 OK
16 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Cranio Creations, 999 Games, Albi, asmodee, Cool Mini Or Not, Edge Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Lucrum Games, Lúdilo, Planplay, Zhiyanjia
Designer Paolo Mori
Artist Alessandro Costa, Peter Wocken

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

4,545owners
620wishlist
60want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play?
From 3 to 16 players.
What is the average game length?
About 20 minutes.
What is the game's complexity?
Medium – easy to learn but requires careful clue interpretation.
What components are included?
12 suspect cards, 36 question cards, suspect board, culprit marker, and 1 die.
What is the game's theme?
Police mystery focused on murder.
Is the game suitable for children?
Yes, from age 12 onward, depending on maturity with crime themes.

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