The murder Mystery genre of video games has a cult following and that too for a good reason. There are a good number of games in this genre but very few games have been able to stand out from the crowd.
The satisfaction that these games give after you figure out all the clues, interrogate suspects and witnesses and investigate the crime scenes just can’t be matched.
Here at Benettonplay, we have curated a list of the best murder mystery video games that you can play. We have explained the game’s plots in brief without giving out any spoilers so that you may have an idea of the game.
It is worthwhile to mention here that these games are not ranked in any order, it is just a list and you can choose whichever game entices you.
So, stick to the end, and don’t forget to tighten up your seat belt, because we are about to begin.
Best Murder Mystery Video Games (updated 2023)
Check out the list!
1. L.A. Noire
| Release Date | May 17, 2011 |
| Developer(s) | Team Bondi |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & Windows |
The first game in the list of the best murder mystery games is L.A. Noire. It is the story of Detective Cole Phelps who is a cop in the Los Angeles Police Department.
The events in the game take place in the year 1947. The main story of the game revolves around Phelps investigating a morphine distribution ring. As the story progresses Phelps and his partner Jack Kelso uncover major conspiracies with prominent people of L.A. involved within it.
The game takes place in an open world and players may choose to roam freely either on foot or in a vehicle.
The game is played in a third-person perspective and the gameplay involves the player investigating crime scenes, interrogating suspects and witnesses, etc. The game features various action sequences including chases, combat, and gunfights.
The game was nominated for many year-end award nominations. It won the British Academy Games Award for Best Original Music. The game was a commercial success and was well-received by critics. This action-adventure game with mystery elements is a must-play.
2. The Wolf Among Us
| Release Date | Oct 14, 2013 |
| Developer(s) | Telltale Games |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, PSV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows & Mobile Devices |
The Wolf Among Us is one unique game in this list of top murder mystery games to play. It is an episodic graphic mystery-drama game.
It consists of five episodes in which the player controls the character of Bigby Wolf, who is a sheriff of Fabletown, investigating a series of murders in the town.
Playing as Bixby Wolf, the player explores Fabletown and its bars, apartments, and various other 3-D environments. When progressing further in the game, the player comes across various items with which he/she can interact.
The player has to roll the cursor over the item in order to examine it and then it can be saved in the inventory for later use in the game.
If you’re a fan of murder mystery games, then you don’t wanna miss out on this one. A sequel to the game The Wolf Among Us 2 will be released in 2023. TellTale Games has announced that the game will only be released once the development of every episode is done.
3. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishment
| Release Date | September 30, 2014 |
| Developer(s) | Frogwares |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & Windows |
Who hasn’t heard of Sherlock Holmes, every one of us right? There is a cult following for this fictional character and many people admire him, perhaps this is the reason why there are many books, movies, and video games based on the stories of Sherlock Holmes.
If you’re looking for the best detective games, then there is hardly any other game that beats Sherlock Holmes.
The game is inspired by the original stories of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of the character Sherlock Holmes.
The events of Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishment took place in 1894-95 in London and its suburbs. The gameplay focuses on finding the culprit and then making a moral choice of either absolving or condemning him.
The gameplay includes examining the clues gathered from the crime scenes. The gathered clues are put in a “deduction board” where they can be linked together.
Depending on how the player connects all the links together the game shows a different deduction/conclusion. The game is split up into six different cases of murders, thefts, and disappearances.
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum
| Release Date | August 25, 2009 |
| Developer(s) | Rocksteady Studios |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One & Windows |
Discussion of a murder mystery without mentioning Batman is something that I cannot understand. I mean, he’s one of the best detectives that we have seen in comics and movies right?
There are tons of video games that are based on Batman but only a few games stand out, one such game is Batman: Arkham Asylum the first game in the Batman: Arkham video games series.
The game’s storyline follows Batman battling against Joker who initiates a plan to control the Arkham Asylum, trap Batman inside the Asylum filled with his foes, and then threaten Gotham City with the hidden bombs. The game features stealth elements along with action-based combat sequences and mystery elements.
The game is played from a third-person perspective and we can move Batman freely in Arkham Asylum. New areas in the game are unlocked after completing the missions or by obtaining new equipment.
The game was nominated for numerous awards and won several of them. It is counted among the best Batman games ever made.
5. Batman: Arkham City
| Release Date | October 18, 2011 |
| Developer(s) | Rocksteady Studios |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U & PC |
Another Batman game on the list and why not, it is just amazing. Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum which came in 2009.
The game’s storyline follows Batman uncovering the evil scheme of Arkham City’s warden, Hugo Strange. The game also features the iconic characters of Joker and his sidekick Harley Quinn.
The gameplay elements of the game are primarily similar to the previous entry. The primary focus is laid on Batman’s combat & stealth abilities, detective skills, and the gadgets that can be used both in combat and exploration.
If you have started the Batman: Arkham video game series, then you just can’t miss out on this game.
This game shattered Arkham Asylum’s Guinness Book of World Records for the most critically acclaimed superhero video game.
It has a rating of 96/100 for PS3 on Metacritic. The game deserves its place among the best mystery games.
6. Disco Elysium
| Release Date | October 15, 2019 |
| Developer(s) | ZA/UM |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Stadia & Windows |
Disco Elysium is a detective role-playing game with murder mystery elements filled in it. The game takes inspiration from the 1999 video game Planescape: Torment. The game features a unique oil painting art style.
In the game, you take the role of an amnesiac detective who is tasked with solving a murder mystery. While investigating and progressing with the case he gradually recalls the events of his past and also the cult that is trying to affect the city negatively.
It should be noted that the game does not feature any combat rather, its gameplay focuses on resolving events through skill checks and dialogue trees meaning that the mechanics of the game are dialogue-heavy. The game is played from an isometric viewpoint.
The game received universal acclaim and was praised by critics for its narrative and art. The game went on to win numerous awards from various publications including The Game Awards and the D.I.C.E Awards.
7. Paradise Killer
| Release Date | Kaizen Game Works |
| Developer(s) | September 4, 2020 |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & PC |
The game Paradise Killer takes place on the fictional Paradise Island. The main protagonist of the game is a lady detective ‘Lady Love Dies’ who was in exile for 3,000,000 days.
Love Dies has been tasked by the Syndicate Judge to investigate the events that have happened recently at Paradise Island. Syndicate is a race of immortal alien beings who are trying to make a perfect society to reawaken their gods.
Many prominent figures of the Syndicate have been murdered by someone and Love Dies tries to uncover the mystery behind the killings.
The suspect in the murders is a citizen of the island, Henry Division, who is possessed by a demon. The game takes place in first-person perspective and the gameplay mainly includes investigation and interrogation through dialogue.
The game received favorable reviews from critics who praised its soundtrack and gameplay mechanics.
The game has ratings of 81,81 and 89 on PC, Switch, and PS5 respectively, and is one of the best detective games that you should check out at least once.
8. Phasmophobia
| Release Date | Sep 18, 2020 |
| Developer(s) | Kinetic Games |
| Platforms | PC |
Phasmophobia is a horror investigation survival game based on ghost hunting. The game quickly gained the attention of many players during the Halloween season thanks to Twitch and YouTube streamers and became one of the top-played games in October and November of 2020.
The game features both single-player and multiplayer options, you can either choose to play the game solo or in a group of three.
While playing solo or in a team, the player(s) are tasked with identifying the ghost that is haunting a specific site.
The game uses voice recognition that allows the ghosts in the game to listen to your voice and act accordingly to certain phrases and keywords.
The game features 24 different types of ghosts and eight different paranormal investigators.
The game went on to win the Best Debut Game Award at The Game Awards 2020. It is counted among the best ghost video games & best mystery games ever made. Do check it out if you haven’t already.
9. The Mortuary Assistant
| Release Date | August 2, 2022 |
| Developer(s) | DarkStone Digital |
| Platforms | PC |
The Mortuary Assistant is another supernatural video game. The main protagonist of the game is a young apprentice Rebecca Owens who has just completed her degree in Mortuary Sciences and is now working at River Fields Mortuary.
The story goes like this: Rebecca after agreeing to take the shift of her employer at the mortuary finds herself locked inside. The employer explains that he has done this for a reason.
Now Rebecca has to perform her mortuary duties while also protecting her from the demon that has his eyes on her. The gameplay includes performing the embalming duties while also identifying the demon and its location.
As morbid as the embalming of the deceased may sound like the task is oddly satisfying. The game is filled with surprising elements and is worth giving a shot.
10. Heavy Rain
| Release Date | June 18, 2020 |
| Developer(s) | Quantic Dream |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4 & Windows |
On the tenth spot we have Heavy Rain and it follows the story of four protagonists who get involved in the mystery of an Origami Killer who hunts his victims during heavy rains.
The game is choice-based, which means that the in-game choices that the player makes, affect how the story unfolds.
Each of the four characters can even die depending on the choices that they make. The game is played from a third-person perspective and is divided into many scenes centering on one of the main characters.
The game was praised for its visuals, writing, controls, voiceovers, music, and the emotional impact that the game had on players.
The video game is counted among the list of greatest video games ever made and also in the famous book ‘1001 Games, you must play before you die.
11. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
| Release Date | September 25, 2014 |
| Developer(s) | The Astronauts |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
It would be a shame if we left out The Vanishing of Ethan Carter on this list as it is considered as one of the Best Murder Mystery games of all time.
The storyline of this game follows our protagonist named Paul Prospero as he receives a letter from his 12-year-old young fan named Ethan Carter, the letter inspires our protagonist to set out on a journey to Ethan’s hometown (Red Creek Valley, Wisconsin).
Upon arriving in Ethan’s hometown Paul learns that Ethan has gone missing and he starts to encounter some paranormal phenomena.
The gameplay is played from a first-person perspective and features an open-world environment that players can freely explore. Players must solve the mystery and find out where Ethan is. Do check out this game if you guys are into Murder Mystery games.
12. Life is Strange
| Release Date | January 30, 2015 |
| Developer(s) | Don’t Nod, Deck Nine |
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
The final game on our list is none other than Life is Strange and it is in my opinion the best game to play if you wanna relax after a tiring day.
Players are given control of a photography student named Max Caufield who is a shy and introverted girl with big ambitions. Max is a student at the Blackwell Academy which is one of the best schools in Arcadia Bay.
Our protagonist learns that she has the ability to reverse time and even slow it down and she uses this ability to find out about the missing student of Blackwell named Rachel Amber.
The gameplay is in Third Person’s perspective and the game was a success when it was released. Even now there are tons of gamers that still enjoy the staggering storyline of this game because it is too good.
This was our final game and now we’re going to answer some FAQs down below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best crime-solving game?
Some of the best crime-solving games include L.A. Noire, The Wolf Among Us, and Heavy Rain, also, among these games, Heavy Rain is counted among the list of games considered the best.
When is The Wolf Among Us 2 coming out?
According to the reports, The Wolf Among Us 2 will be rolled out in 2023 only after TellTale Games completes the development of every episode of it.
Are there any detective games?
All games mentioned in the article allow you to play the role of either an investigator or a detective.
What can I play Phasmophobia on?
Currently, Phasmophobia can only be played on a PC running a Windows OS. There is no word from the developers whether or not the game will be ported to other platforms.
Conclusion
This marks the end of our post on the Murder Mystery Games to Play in 2023. We hope you will try out our recommendation list and enjoy these fun games. And yes, do not forget to comment down your favorite Murder Mystery Game below. We are excited to hear from you. We will be back with more super exciting Gaming News soon. Till then!
