Game Help & FAQs

Choose the format that best suits how your group wants to play:

• Murder mystery party games are social, character-led games for a hosted dinner party or game night.
• Cold Case Files are collaborative investigations built around evidence, clues and deductions, with no character acting required.
• Online escape room games are self-led, screen-based puzzle adventures that can be played wherever your group is.
• Unsolved Trails are outdoor mystery routes played at real UK locations.

See how every game format works for a side-by-side guide.

Each player takes a character and the group moves through guided rounds of introductions, clues, discussion and deduction before making accusations and revealing the solution. The game materials explain what the host and players need to do at each stage.

For a fuller walkthrough, see How It Works or our murder mystery hosting guide.

Contents vary by title and format. Dinner party games typically include host guidance, character information, invitations, clues and the materials needed to reveal the mystery. Cold Case Files include case materials and evidence, with the Case Portal used where stated. Online escape rooms run through a browser-based experience.

The product page lists the exact contents and access method for the game you are buying.

Player numbers vary by title and version. Many dinner party games support 4 to 20 players, while selected expansion packs and large-group editions can support more. Always use the player range shown on the individual product page before assigning characters.

Yes, in many of our dinner party games the host can take a character and play alongside everyone else. Guided rounds and, where used, random killer selection help keep the solution hidden. Mechanics vary by title, so check the product page and host instructions before game night.

Suitability varies by title, theme and difficulty. Most murder mystery and cold case games are designed for teens or adults, while selected family and children's games suit younger players. Check the recommended age and content notes on the product page when choosing for your group.

Some Instant Access dinner party and cold case games include PDF materials that you may wish to print, while other elements can be viewed or shared digitally. Boxed kits arrive with printed materials where that format is offered. The product page and access instructions explain exactly what is required for your chosen title.

The Party App supports compatible dinner party games with features such as invitations and private character information on each player's phone. The Case Portal supports compatible Cold Case Files with interactive evidence, terminals and verdicts. Not every game uses both tools; your product page and access instructions will tell you what applies.

Many Instant Access dinner party games can be hosted over a video call by sharing character information and clues with the group. Online escape rooms are also designed for screen-based play. Check the individual product page for any title-specific setup or printing requirements.

Selected dinner party titles have expansion packs that add extra characters. The expansion must match the exact game title and edition, and it should be added before roles are assigned. The expansion product page shows the compatible game and revised player count.

Standard purchases are intended for private use. If you plan to charge guests, run repeated events or use a game commercially, choose the appropriate commercial licence or contact our team before advertising the event so we can help you select the correct option.

Most murder mystery party games take around 1.5 to 3 hours. The exact time depends on the title, number of players, pace of discussion and any food or breaks you include.

Many titles can be replayed because the murderer is selected during the game, so the outcome can change. Once you know every character's secrets and clues, however, the mystery itself will be more familiar.

Instant Access gives you online access and/or downloadable game files after checkout, depending on the title, so you can prepare without waiting for delivery. Boxed kits are physical products sent by post and are available only for selected games and markets.

Some Cold Case titles offer both formats as variants, so check the format selected on the product page and in your order confirmation.

Access details are sent separately from your order confirmation. Check your junk, spam and promotions folders, then confirm that the email address entered at checkout is correct.

If the email is still missing, contact our support team with your order number and we will help restore your access.

Your access link does not expire, so you can return to the original email sent after purchase. If you no longer have that email, contact our team with your order details and we can resend the access information.

After downloading a ZIP file, extract it before opening the game materials. On Windows, right-click the file and choose “Extract All”. On Mac, double-click it. Most phones and tablets can open ZIP files through their Files app.

If the file still will not open, contact us with your device type and order number.

Most Cold Case Files take around 1 to 3.5 hours, depending on the title, group size and pace of investigation. There is no deadline: any on-screen timer is a guide and will not end your access, so you can pause and continue at your own pace.

Your group examines documents, photos, statements and other evidence, follows leads and uses deduction to solve the case. Compatible titles also use the Case Portal for interactive evidence and submitting a verdict.

See the Cold Case guide for a fuller walkthrough.

Up to six devices can access one game code. However, this does not mean you are limited to six players, you can use digital screensharing or physical screensharing to expand player numbers.

Cold cases work well for solo players or small groups.

You can revisit the case after completing it, but the game does not reset, so previously unlocked content will remain accessible.

Most online escape room games take around 40 to 60 minutes. There is no hard deadline: the timer is a guide and will not end the game, so your group can solve the puzzles at its own pace.

Up to six devices can access one game code. Players can share a screen or work in teams, so a group can be larger than six people. These games also work well for couples and small groups.

Escape room games are designed as a one-time experience, as puzzles remain solved once completed.

Players open the game in a browser and work through a sequence of puzzles, clues and story moments. You can play together in one room or share the experience remotely.

See the online escape room guide for more detail.

Outdoor games typically take between two and three hours to complete, depending on your pace, group size and additional stops along the way.

They are designed for couples, families, and small groups, and are ideal for exploring a location in an interactive way

Your group follows a route through real UK locations, solving clues and progressing through the story as you move between points. A trail can be replayed, although the route and answers remain the same.

See the Unsolved Trails guide before setting out.

If you entered the wrong email address, please contact our support team as soon as possible and we will assist with this.

Order changes or cancellations may be possible depending on the status of your order, so you should contact our team immediately with your order number, email address and any other relevant details and we will do our best to assist.

If you selected Instant Access instead of a boxed kit, or the wrong edition of a game, contact us as soon as possible. Available options depend on whether access has been used and whether a physical order has entered fulfilment, but our team will help you find the most appropriate solution.

Please check your spam or junk folder first, as confirmation emails can sometimes be filtered there. If you still cannot find it, contact us and we will confirm your order.

Delivery for most game kits within the UK, US, and Canada typically takes between three and five business days, while accessories may take up to ten business days.

If tracking is available, it will be sent to you by email once your order has been dispatched. If you have not received tracking details, you can contact our team for assistance.

If your order has not arrived within the expected timeframe, please contact our support team with your order number, delivery address and details about the issue so we can investigate this for you.

You should first check with neighbours or any safe places around your property, as parcels are sometimes left nearby.

If you still cannot locate it, contact our team with your order details and we will help resolve the issue.

You will need to contact our team in order to start a return or refund.

Please refer to the Returns and Refunds section on our website, where full details regarding our policies are provided. If you are unsure whether your order is eligible, our support team can review this for you.

Once a refund has been approved, it is processed promptly, but the time it takes to appear in your account can vary depending on your payment provider.

Refunds will be made to the account used during payment.

For full details on timelines, please refer to our Returns and Refunds policy.

Instant Access products are generally non-refundable once access has been supplied. If you experience a technical or order issue, contact us first so we can help resolve it. Full details are in our refund policy.

Yes, you can return a boxed game however, returns will only be accepted if the item has not been opened, our team will ask for images of this prior to actioning a return. 

Returns are also subject to shipping costs which may vary per product and region depending on your return centre location. Our team may also ask for confirmation that the return has been sent in order to speed up the process.

Once the return has been received or confirmed we will begin the refund process. 

Once your returned item has been received and processed, your refund will be issued in line with our policy, typically refunds are recieved within 7-10 working days.