Just got done running this module for a Halloween Murder Mystery party. We had a blast and really enjoyed getting together. The module itself... has a lot going for it, but is riddled with a few minor flaws and a few major flaws. We played with the Spouse as the murderer.
Strengths:
The character creation element of the document alone is worth purchasing the document. The archetypes and the base information serves as an excellent base to build on top of and the world setting is interesting and fun.
Minor Flaws:
Minor flaws include that it is riddled with typos, inconsistent names and terminology, formatting issues, and details that don't have any significance (which is fine usually, but not when there are no actual clues to find). The character sheets are also riddled with typos and inconsistencies. It also would have been nice if there were any plot hooks or introductory/room blurbs for each player to have a reason to be there but that was up to the DM (which is fine, just more prep for me).
Major Flaws:
(1) This could be considered a minor flaw, but it doesn't feel formatted for a DM in the slightest, I had to search through the document for pertinent info for the session and feels much more catered to the players, leaving the DM scrambling to figure out all of the evidence and alibis by reading each person's sheet.
-> This could be improved by creating a sheet for the DM that has all of the things that might get the murderer caught on a single page, like it did for the things in each person's room.
(2) There was a map, but there weren't any designated rooms where people slept to create an engaging mystery of how Egan was killed. I'm not sure how the map is intended to be used at all, and as such we did not. The 2nd Class car and the cargo hold don't actually contain anything significant to the mystery.
-> This could be improved by expanding on the methodology that each character could have taken to murder Egan. E.g. There is an Air Vent above Egan's room leading to the Scholar's room, etc. That way players could trace more clues.
(3) A significant portion of the game is searching people's rooms, luggage, and persons, and almost no one's room convicts them or makes them suspicious, unless they are the murderer (which have special clues). Because there are no clues in anyone else's room except the murderer's, the party got frustrated that they basically didn't learn anything for 3 hours. For example, the only real clue that convicts the Spouse is the blood on her nightgown, which if the party doesn't frisk her, she almost definitely will get away with it. If the Lover or the Scholar aren't the murderer, then they have nothing to hide by coming out with their affair. Their rooms have nothing of significance.
-> Add clues in each person's rooms, luggage, and person that look suspicious and related to the murder, but not necessarily the murder weapon (only one combination of clues should make sense).
(4) Nobody had a real alibi. Half the characters went to bed alone, and the other half were sleeping together. It either becomes immediately clear who the murderer is, or is so unclear that there is no way to discern who it is because everyone's alibi either checks out or doesn't have any substance.
-> There should be legitimate alibis that are still suspicious but check out under further investigation for each character unless they are the murderer.
(5) The Luggage room. I have no idea what the purpose of the Blue Shield encounter is, it feels out of place and a waste of time because the Robot doesn't have any pertinent information. If he had a clue that would help.
-> Maybe have clues that lead to the murder, that can be placed in any location depending on who the murderer is.
(6) Some details are incredibly unclear. Which room did Egan die in? I figured out later in the session that he actually died in the dining car area as opposed to his bedroom. Where did the gun end up after the Spouse kills him? If she kept it, why wasn't that the risk of being caught if frisked? If the Spouse was estranged from Egan, why were they sharing a bedroom?
-> Ensure that every character has the same critical information, or keep it on one page, and correct all the inconsistencies.
Other notes:
(1) Handouts would be really cool. If each player got a handout for the clues they know when they start, then additional handouts when they find new clues, that would be great.
(2) Eberron Express is catchy, but I'm a Forgotten Realms guy. Some of the details were lore dependent which made putting it in my world setting slightly more tedious.
(3) The Murder motives page was way too specific. I couldn't hand it out to every player because each player needs a motive to be the murderer but not actually be the murderer, and some of the motives were assuming that you were the murderer.
(4) Breaking down the plot into phases would be helpful as well, maybe directing it through an onboard detective or something.
All in all, we had a great time with the module. I'd rate it 3 stars but it fails at it's core purpose which is creating an engaging murder mystery; there wasn't a mystery, there was simply confusion. My players had fun making baseless accusations without enough evidence to condemn anyone, but that isn't what makes an engaging mystery.
Regardless, I don't regret the purchase, there is a lot of great work here. Thank you!
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