What is Jubensha?

Jubensha is an interactive murder mystery game from China that combines elements of traditional murder mystery games with live-action roleplaying games, immersive theater, and social deduction games like Werewolf or Blood on the Clocktower. Your group will take on the roles of suspects and detectives as you attempt to solve a mystery.

How do you play?

Gather up a group of friends! Each of you take on the role of characters in a murder mystery (or other crime). The catch is one of you are the culprit!

Then pick your character! While the rules are simple, the character’s script are complex. Each script provides your character’s background, motives, and secrets and the events leading up to the crime.

Then its time to gather evidence! You’ll search for clues and interrogate each other to piece together the what actually went down. During all this, the murderer is among you attempting to thwart you!

The its time to vote! Each person will vote on who they think is the murderer. Then its time for the big reveal! Guess correctly? Congratulations! You’ve caught the murderer! If not – well then they’ve gotten away with it!

How many players do you need?

Each Jubensha requires a specific number of players. Our initial offering of titles require either 6 or 7 participants. We’ll soon be adding new titles that will expand that to 5-8 players.

How long does it last?

3 to 4.5 hours depending on the title. Check each title description for a more exact estimate.

How much does it cost?

The Demise of the Pocket Knight and Time Triplet are both $45 a person for a 3-4 hour session. New titles may have different pricing in the future depending on player count, length and any licensing fees.

How do I book?

Go to https://nickelcitymysteries.com/book-now/. It will take you through the booking process. Look for games labelled Jubensha (games not labelled as such are our escape rooms!). Pick out your date and time, and choose which title you would like to play. After you go through the checkout process be sure to check for a confirmation email. It will have parking and other instructions.

What if we show up late?

We can still run you if you are late, but we will need to take time off from the game. Be sure all of your players arrive 15 minutes early, as one person showing up late will delay the entire group. Due to the length of Jubensha games we have little to no flexibility on this.

What are the refund and reschedule policies?

All bookings are final. We can reschedule you with 48 hours notice. If one or two players drop out call us ASAP. We may be able to switch the title you are playing to one with a different player count.

What are the age requirements?

Jubensha often contains certain content like murder and is not suitable for kids. All Jubensha games are 18+ only.

Is there any explicit content?

Murder and other violent crimes are a part of most Jubensha. You can expect such content in most, if not all Jubensha games. We will always attempt to label each title for references sensitive content such as suicide, sexual assault, or gore. Please be sure to check each title’s information page for any such warnings.

Do you accept walk ins?

We do not. Each Jubensha title requires us to change over our rooms and set up for each specific title. You must book at least one day ahead of time.

Are we booked with strangers?

No, your booking time slot is private and set aside just for your group.

What if I don’t have a full group?

We are working on setting up Discord server for players to find other players to join them and organize groups. Keep an eye out as we hope to get that option up and running soon!

How did Jubensha get started?

Jubensha developed in China after a French murder mystery board game, “Death Wears White”, was translated into Mandarin. The depth of the game and plot was an immediate hit with board gamers. The genre took off as fans of the game began to write their own scripts. Crime scene game shows like “Crime Scene” in Korea (which you can now watch on Netflix) also helped the game gain a foothold. China introduced its own version “Who’s the Murderer?” in 2016.

Where can you play in English?

Right now? Hardly anywhere! We are just the 3rd English language Jubensha shop in the United States and the 4th in North America. There are some options to play online if you search the internet.

What makes Jubensha different from murder mysteries?

Unlike traditional murder mysteries, the character script you are given will be complex, usually anywhere from 5-15 pages. This complexity creates an interwoven narrative filled with hidden secrets, motives, and objectives. Character’s hidden objectives and secrets thwart and obfuscate the true nature of the crime as they attempt to fulfill their own hidden agenda. Tragedy and moral dilemmas abound that add much more drama than a simple whodunnit.

Do I have to wear a costume?

Absolutely not, though you are certainly welcome too!

Are we locked in the room?

No, you are free to leave and re-enter the room as needed.

How difficult is it?

It will not be easy! This is no simple whodunnit like Clue! We often find that for beginners, the murderer will have a bit of an advantage. As you play more games, you’ll begin to pick things up and start to think like a detective!