exquisite rare and vintage games

in-House play only

This game is available for in-house play only.

It may be a one-of-kind game or edition, an item with many small or delicate parts, or in a state of frailty due to old age. In other words - priceless.

In many cases, such items would be locked away behind glass in museums or collector's homes, but we feel that defeats the intention of the item, which after all was conceived and built to be played with. So at Conundrum House, we gladly allow players to play with these priceless items - with appropriate reverence and respect for its condition.

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Conundrum House

inHouse - Ruse : A Steampunk Murder Mystery Card Game

A murder has been committed in the Victorian Steampunk city of St. Sebastian. You have made the short list of Police suspects and the only way to retain your freedom is to prove that one of the others on the list is, in fact, the murderous culprit.

Ruse is more than just a card game; it is a living story of foul play.

Ruse was designed with storytelling at its heart, not just for fun but also as a functional game mechanic. The game shifts with every card played. Are you throwing accusations because you’re truly innocent and have the alibis to back it up, or are you trying to make everyone look the other way because you in fact carried out the wretched deed?

No one knows until the last card has been played; ‘til then it’s all about defending your possible innocence. The more involved and animated the players the better the game becomes, raising the fun quotient and also getting inside your head. We find people begin to make decisions out of revenge rather than strategy once a table of players really gets going. Not only that, but those who have been pinned immediately want to play again to redeem themselves…or get back at those who sent them to the clink

Players take turns making Accusations against the other players by placing Method, Motive, or Opportunity cards in front of them or providing Alibis against the Accusations made against them by other players. You must remember what has been played and craft your Accusations well to pin the murder on another player.

Games includes:
 - 54 Accusation and Alibi Cards
 - 6 Suspect Tiles