Freeform Games Reviews 

Brilliant concepts, delivered quickly and easily and help on hand if you need it. So much better than some of their (much flashier) competitors.

We had lots of fun playing the game!! :D Everybody was very excited. There were lively discussions and everyone was very engaged in the story - my friends dressed up and enjoyed using their acting skills ;) ). However, I have one remark: It was the first time for me to organise a freeform game and I had never participated in one. The instructions for the host could be a bit more clearer, e.g. how do I organise stealing from a person? How do I "overhear" a conversation? It would be great to receive a more extended guidebook for these kind of actions during the game. Apart from these situations where I had to improvise, it was a wonderful experience!! :D

We used "A Heroic Death" for one of our office socials and it was awesome!! We all really enjoyed it. The way Freeform Games are structured around specific goals for each character, rather than having a script was really great - it allowed you the freedom to have fun and lead the game your own way, while still having enough guidance to not get stuck. It also works really well for both people who are really confident and those who are less so. There is enough freedom to allow you to adapt the game to take out parts that don't suit your group, add your own props etc, but at the same time you can just pick it up and follow it.

Great game, great fun :) Highly recommended!

I started with one of their free games just to see if they were any good. I was extremely impressed! Since that first introduction, I have ordered several more games to play with friends and family.

I love the freedom they give to experience the game within certain perimeters. It's not just scripted lines that you read or reveal at a certain time. The games are well thought out and make for a memorable experience.

We were so happy with our Wild West Murder Mystery game. It was one of the best parties we ever held. Easy to do and fun for all. Thank you

The first time I hosted Freeform game was also the first time I have ever participated in a murder mystery. I announced to my guests that it could be a train wreck or could be fun, either way there is plenty of booze. It turned out to be a huge sucess!

Two years later I am getting ready to host my 6th Murder Mystery party. After the second one we had to chance the location from my apartment to a friend’s house because I had so many people wanting to join in the fun (word got around) I needed to host larger games. Five out of the six games I have hosted have been Freeform Games. I tried another company once, to mix things up, but my guests and I agreed that it was a mistake. My guests and I overwhelmingly agreed that Freeform Games are far better.

There is a fair amount of prep work that goes into getting ready for game night. I do not see that as a bad thing. It allows me to get to know the game inside out. It makes it easier for me on game day to answer questions and to help people who may need a bit of guidance.

I tell my guests that the role info they are given is an outline of the things they know, what they can do, and what they need to do. It is up to them to play the role as they see fit. The rest is up to them to make their character their own. They do a great job of it.

One thing that is a huge hit with our parties is a post mystery award ceremony. Even though we are all adult (at least age wise), awards (inexpensive statues and metals) are coveted. We have a few different categories so even those who don’t solve the mystery may go home with a prize. I try to have half the number of prizes as I do guests.

Although I would like to take the credit for how well the parties go, the credit goes to Freeform Games and my incredible guests. If you haven’t tried one of their games before, try one at your next gathering.

Played this for my 50th birthday with 15 friends (all ladies) It was excellent, can't fault it

Excellent! I thought the game I got from Freeform was brilliant. Well written characters and plots made it a lot of fun and everybody had a great time. The timings were perfect and the major plot points came along just at the right time. If you are hosting the party, as I did, it is quite a lot of work and I really recommend having an assistant. I felt like I was running around a lot!

Excellent service and content and I will certainly be buying from Freeform again.

James Hardwick

Easy way to get high quality murder mystery game

Having bought 3 freeform games and played another 2, I've become quite familiar with them, but actually also a bit spoiled and therefore more critical!

If you have never played one of their games, I can only say: buy one now, play it and I guarantee you and your guests will love it!

I do feel there is a difference in quality between the games. Especially the older ones seem to suffer more than newer games, so do take this into consideration when choosing a game.

On the plus side:
* The historical settings tie events together in a fun, but still logical way. You can see that these eras have been researched.
* There is a great deal of humor in the descriptions and goals
* All games are (after quite some preparation with a lot of printing and cutting) relatively easy to run.
* There are built-in breathing/eating/getting-a-drink moments where something happens that the entire group should be aware of, which makes for a nice change in the game.
* Also in some games the gamemaster reveals info or even goals to a player at some later point, which makes for fun twists.
* The atmosphere. For instance, the gamemaster is not just known as 'gamemaster', but always has a role according to the game s/he is running.

On the down side:
* If you have played several games, some roles really feel as 'fillers' whereas other roles shine brightly. Also women (although sometimes portrayed as strong, independent characters) tend to have a more supporting role. Both these things make casting difficult and in the last 2 games I have sometimes rewritten roles or added goals to make the games more balanced and exciting for all involved.
* Not all murder plots make full sense or can be discovered.
* And since these are sold as murder games, I feel that in the games for smaller groups all characters except for the killer should have as goal solving that murder!

Despite my criticism I can't think of a single game we played were people didn't have fun. I have tried out several types of murder games and this is the best one available, with an unbeatable price/quality ratio and quick support from Steve & Mo should you need it. Highly recommended!

I ordered Davy Jones' Locker. I love the layout of their games and the simplicity in running them. This last purchase was my second one.

This was being done a a 13th birthday party and I had a problem with one of the characters and their "profession". I contacted Freeform and they graciously allowed me to change the character a bit. The game was excellent and we'll done. My son liked that no one died in-game and everyone could play the entire time.

I hate parties in general, but have started giving one or two Freeform games a year. They're always a big hit and my newer friends and acquaintances have a chance to get to know the old ones.

Games are great! We've hosted half a dozen so far and our guests have always had a blast!

Good murder mystery. Not scripted so everyone has to persue their own investigation which is done by talking to other characters. Can be customised to suit the people who are taking part and adjusted to fit their level of sleuthing. I would not go back to the other kind of murder mystery after playing this one.

We played "A Will To Murder" with a full cast for my 40th birthday and everyone had a great time! Half the guests had never played a murder mystery (or any type of role-playing) before but they all got into it pretty quickly. Several guests went all out and invented extra background story and details about their characters, leading to some crazy interactions. My favorite interaction was when the doctor lost his med-kit and decided to poison who he thought the thief was. As the victim lay unconscious, the doctor exclaimed "if only I had my med kit!" at which point the police inspector yelled "oh I just found it!". The look on the doctor's face as his Hippocratic oath forced him to cure his victim... 5/5 would help poison again.

Looking forward to my 40th - My husband is hosting but I'm trying to make venue special. Game looks fab from what I've been allowed to read! and all my guests are really looking forward to it. Easy services of downloading. Would be great to be able to cut and past some of the key information into Tailored documents but we have managed! - Email-able details / invites and costume ideas merged with the Paris news, Auction catalog and cast list. Not everything is sent out as snail mail in this day and age. (Thanks for the feedback Freefrom - we've managed this time but if I host is again as I plan to I will be in touch to get the word documents)

I love these games! I started playing them at my 30th birthday, almost 10 years ago, and have enjoyed them ever since.

Great material, well crafted games. My number one choice for Murder Mysteries.