After all the questions and messages I got from my previous post (" https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/comments/1uhldop/hosted_30_murder_mystery_parties_and_think_ive/ "), I figured I'd put together a follow-up with my notes, rankings, and experiences with the games I've hosted. Hopefully this helps anyone else trying to figure out what to play next.

After hosting around 30 games, I've realized that the biggest difference between publishers isn't theme—it's how the game actually plays. Here's how I'd personally categorize the games I've played.

Beginner-Friendly / Heavily Guided

Professor Puzzle (Secrets of the Silver Screen, Secrets of Emerald Hill, Last Chance Saloon)

• Predetermined solution.
• The murderer knows who they are from the start.
• Fairly structured.
• Players receive information in rounds.
• Easy for first-time groups.
• Minimal improvisation required.
• Usually 2 hours.
• 6-8 players.

These are some of my favorite recommendations for new groups because they're easy to host and difficult for players to get lost.

Moderate Roleplay / Semi-Scripted

Van Bier games

• Predetermined killer.
• The murderer knows from the beginning.
• Clear objectives and secrets.
• Enough structure to keep everyone on track.
• Some improvisation, but players always have guidance.
• Usually 2–3 hours.
• 8-14 players.

These work well for groups transitioning from scripted games into more character-driven roleplaying.

Strong Roleplay with Modern Design

Printable Murder Mystery Games

• Predetermined killer.
• The murderer knows from the beginning.
• Multiple rounds.
• Character secrets and motives.
• Heavy player interaction.
• Scripted dialogue.
• Usually 3 hours.
• 8-10 players but booklet options for additional ones.

I've played every title they've released, and these have probably been the biggest consistent hits with my groups. They strike a nice balance between structure and freedom and align most closely with what my group prefers.

Culinario Mortale

• Predetermined killer.
• The murderer knows from the start.
• Three rounds of play.
• Character secrets and hidden information.
• Very little scripted dialogue.
• Heavy discussion and deduction.
• Usually 2–4 hours.
• Strong focus on player interaction.
• 5-8 players.

These feel very similar to my preferred style of game. The murderer knows their role from the beginning, players gradually reveal information over multiple rounds, and the emphasis is on discussion and roleplaying rather than reading scripted lines. The games are approachable for newer groups but still provide enough depth for experienced players.

Heavy Roleplay / Improvisation

How to Host a Murder (vintage games), University Games titles, and Alpine Hotel

• The murderer is predetermined but usually does not know they are the killer until one of the later rounds.
• Character booklets provide information and objectives.
• Very little actual script.
• Players decide how to reveal information.
• Heavy improvisation and roleplaying.
• Typically 2–6 hours depending on the game and group.
• How to host a murder and University Games titles have 8-10 players, Alpine Hotel is 8 players.

Alpine Hotel deserves a special mention. While the killer is not aware of their role until one of the later rounds, the game offers extremely detailed character materials and a substantial amount of reading. The characters feel more developed and interconnected than many other games, which creates excellent roleplaying opportunities. The additional detail and depth lead to very engaging gameplay, and my group had a great experience with it despite it not matching all of our usual preferences. It generally runs about 2–3 hours. But they only have 1 game in English as of this post. https://murderlicious-game.com/game/alpine-hotel

Some people call the How to Host a Murder games dated, and parts of the writing certainly show their age, but the gameplay still holds up extremely well. The University Games titles and Alpine Hotel similarly rely on players to stay in character and drive conversations themselves. These games can create some of the most memorable roleplaying experiences, but they work best with outgoing groups who enjoy improvisation. 

Complexity Ranking (Easiest to Most Demanding)

1. Professor Puzzle
2. Van Bier
3. Printable Murder Mystery Games
4. Culinario Mortale
5. Alpine Hotel
6. University Games
7. How to Host a Murder

The "harder" games aren't necessarily more complicated mechanically—they simply ask more of the players. Groups that enjoy acting, improvising, staying in character, and handling larger amounts of information usually prefer the games toward the bottom of the list.

One thing I've realized after playing so many games is that theme matters much less than gameplay style. For my group, the ideal game has a predetermined killer, multiple rounds, character secrets and motives, minimal scripted dialogue, and plenty of opportunity for roleplaying and player interaction. That's why the Printable Murder Mystery Games titles remain some of our favorites, even after trying so many different systems.