Unsolved Case Files is a murder mystery game that drops you into a cold case. You get the investigator’s original file, stuffed with more than 50 documents: police reports, witness statements, crime scene photos, newspaper clippings and suspect profiles. Somewhere in there is the evidence that convicts the killer. Your job is to find it.
It started in 2019 as a kitchen table project by two friends in Tampa, went viral on Facebook within two months and is now sold at Target and Walmart, with millions of cases solved. Unlike some rivals, there is a real monthly subscription too. Here is how the game works, which cases to start with and whether the subscription is worth it.
How Unsolved Case Files works
Every case is played in three steps. You open the file and get your first objective, usually something like proving that the person in prison is innocent. You dig through the evidence until you find the document that proves it, then check your answer on the online answer key. Get it right and you open a sealed bonus envelope with new evidence and your next objective. After the third objective, you name the killer and close the case.
The answer key is the clever part. You can test a theory without spoiling the ending, and if you are wrong, you get up to three hints, each one revealing a bit more. Most groups finish a case in 2 to 3 hours, though it can take up to 6 if you get stuck on a red herring.
- Players: 1 or more. There is no real maximum since everyone works together. With more than 6 to 8 people, split into teams with two copies of the case.
- Ages: 14 and up. The content is about PG-13.
- Replay value: none once solved, but if you keep the documents in order you can pass it on to friends.
Unsolved Case Files prices
| Option | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single case | About $20 at big retailers | Sold on unsolvedcasefiles.com, Amazon, Target and Walmart |
| 2 and 3 case bundles | Varies | Pre picked combos, like Gardner, Cahill and Falcone |
| 6 month subscription | $99 upfront or $19.99 a month | One case a month, free shipping |
| 12 month subscription | $199 upfront or $19.99 a month | One case a month, free shipping |
Prices on single cases move around a lot between retailers, so it pays to compare. The subscriptions are US only.
Is there an Unsolved Case Files subscription?
Yes, and it is one of the few murder mystery subscriptions that still sends you an actual game every month. You choose a 6 or 12 month plan, then pay upfront or $19.99 a month. Paying upfront brings the 6 month plan to $16.50 a case and the 12 month plan to about $16.58 a case, with free shipping either way.
A few details we like a lot:
- No repeats. When you sign up, you tell them which cases you have already played, and they only send new ones.
- You can pick. Email them the case you want next and they add it to your queue.
- It pauses itself. If you have played everything available, your plan pauses until a new case comes out. You are not charged in the meantime.
- Cancel anytime, with no cancellation fee.
One thing to know: the cases come from the existing lineup, not a brand new release every month. If you are new to the game, that is great, since there are about 15 cases to get through. If you have played most of them, the subscription will mostly sit on pause.
Our take: the 6 month prepaid plan is the sweet spot. It costs less than buying six cases one at a time, and it is a great date night or family game night habit.
The best Unsolved Case Files cases
Each case stands alone, so you can play them in any order. Here is where we would start:
- Harmony Ashcroft: the original. A bride to be is murdered at her rehearsal dinner in 1998, and the man convicted for it is innocent. Clear, fair and a perfect first case.
- Jamie Banks: a high school senior falls from a sixth floor window in 1992. Police called it suicide. It was not. One of the most searched cases, and a great second game.
- Avery Gardner: one twin murdered, the other kidnapped and the lead detective missing. Bigger stakes and one of the best sellers.
- Jane Doe: an unidentified woman dies in a fire at a remote island rehab center for the rich and famous. You figure out who she was and who killed her. A strong pick once you know the format.
- Danni Love: a bachelorette weekend in Vegas ends with the bride dead, hours after a photo of her fiancé with another woman shows up under her door.
Most searched cases online are Harmony Ashcroft, Jamie Banks, Danni Love and Avery and Zoey Gardner, mostly by people stuck on objective 3. Our advice: use the built in hints before you go looking for answers on Reddit. Spoilers ruin these games fast.
Family and party options
For younger players, Potter Jr Edition is a family friendly search and find mystery with no murder or violence. Kids hunt for misplaced clues across 26 rooms of a junior high, collect hidden letters and spell out the culprit. Criminal Confessions is a party card game where players guess how many times everyone else has done a petty crime. There is also a Facilitator Edition for running a case with a big group, like a classroom or an office event.
Is Unsolved Case Files worth it?
Yes. For around $20, you get a full evening of real detective work, and the three objective structure keeps the story moving so you do not get lost in paperwork. The online hints are well designed, and the cases are fair: the answer is always in the file.
The trade off is that it is all paper. There are no locks, props or ciphers like you get in some competitors, so if you want something tactile, look elsewhere. And once you have solved a case, it is done.
Pros
- Great value at around $20 a case
- Smart three step structure with hints that do not spoil
- Works solo, as a couple or with a big group
- A true monthly subscription with no repeats
- Easy to find at Target, Walmart and Amazon
Cons
- Documents only, no physical puzzles or props
- One time play
- Subscription sends existing cases, not always new releases
- Subscription is US only
Unsolved Case Files vs Hunt A Killer
These are the two big names in at home murder mysteries, and they feel quite different. Hunt A Killer is more immersive and physical, with locked tins, ciphers and props, and it costs more, starting at $29.99 a case. It also no longer has a monthly game subscription. Unsolved Case Files is cheaper, quicker to set up and all about reading evidence carefully, and it still ships a case every month if you subscribe. Start with Unsolved Case Files if you love true crime podcasts and reading between the lines. Pick Hunt A Killer if you want puzzles and props on the table.
Want more ideas? Browse our hobby subscription boxes and geek subscription boxes.
Unsolved Case Files FAQ
How does Unsolved Case Files work?
You read through a cold case file and complete three objectives, checking each answer on the online answer key. Each correct answer unlocks a sealed envelope with new evidence. After the third objective, you convict the killer.
How long does an Unsolved Case Files game take?
About 2 to 3 hours on average, and up to 6 hours for some groups.
Can you play Unsolved Case Files alone?
Yes. It works solo, as a couple or with a group. There is no player limit.
Where are the Unsolved Case Files answers?
On the official answer key at unsolvedcasefiles.com. Enter your answer for each objective, and if it is wrong you can unlock up to three hints.
Are Unsolved Case Files real cases?
No. All cases are fictional, written by the Unsolved Case Files team.
What age is Unsolved Case Files for?
Ages 14 and up. For younger kids, try the Potter Jr Edition.
How much is the Unsolved Case Files subscription?
$19.99 a month, or $99 upfront for 6 months and $199 upfront for 12 months, with free shipping. You can cancel anytime.
Is there a free Unsolved Case Files case?
Unsolved Case Files sometimes sends free mini cases and discounts to people on its email list. Sign up at the bottom of the official site to get them.
Questions & reviews
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