Pasta, Passion & Pistols

     This is a review of the boxed murder-mystery game "Pasta, Passion & Pistols" by BePuzzled.  If you've played any of these boxed dinner party games before, than there really isn't anything new or inventive.  They all are pretty standard.  I think it's the setting and characters that make each episode stand out.
     This game takes place in an Italian restaurant in Little Italy, NYC.  The theme alone is a host's dream.  It's very easy to create an Italian setting.  For me, I order from different retailers on line, such as partycheap.com and orientaltrading.com, among others for various props and decorations.  For the restaurant setting, I used various card tables and set them up around the room.  I then got red-checkered plastic tablecloths for them.  Each one I put an old mason jar and filled it with an LED candle.  I got a few Italian flags and put each one in the jar with the candle.  I also comb various dollar stores and over the years have amassed a collection of various tableware.  I have small vases and I got a cheap bunch of carnations at a local food store.  I divided the flowers into the various vases.  Finally, each table was set with good quality disposable silverware and plates.
     Italian food is the easiest to make.  The boxed set comes with various recipes, from easy take-out to cooking your own full course meals.  I didn't bother with any of it, so I can't attest to how easy/hard they are.  I made my own baked Ziti and chicken Parmesan.  Plus I added a nice salad and plenty of Italian bread.  Meanwhile, my guests made their own dishes to help with a big buffet meal.  (BTW, just a tip.  Buffet meals at these events are the best way to go, it gives you more time with your guests and with playing the game.  Formal dinner, served in courses can be a nice touch but much harder to pull off).
     The game comes with invitations, instructions, an audio CD, name tags, a police report, several secret clues and character booklets for each guest.  Everything looks nice, no issues there.  The game features eight characters, or should I say suspects in the murder mystery.  They are:

• Mama Rosa - wife of Pepi Roni (restaurant owner and victim) and matriarch
• Angel Roni - Pepi and Rosa's aggressive daughter
• Marco Roni - Pepi and Rosa's sensitive, soccer-loving son
• Rocco Scarfazzi - Pepi's Identical Twin brother and Italian "businessman"
• Tara Misu - Rocco's young fiancee, used to be his maid back in Italy
• Bo Jalais - French manager of Rocco's vineyards back in Italy
• Clair Voyant - neighborhood psychic and Mama Rosa's friend/adviser
• Father Al Fredo - Italian priest and longtime friend of both Roni and Scarfazzi families

     As you can see, the characters are cliches and are very fun and easy to play.  

**SPOILERS TO FOLLOW**

     CONS:  I will never reveal the ending to the game but a few things need to be said.  Two of the above characters don't feel like main suspects.  From what I've gathered on the internet, they were originally extra characters who were not suspects.  Later, when the game was reissued, they gave these characters motives and included them as required characters.  They really have flimsy motives and not as big a role as the other six.

     The game is also very scripted.  There are three rounds of play.  Before each round, there is a scripted act to perform, like reading lines from a play.  Then, in each round, you are given facts/questions to reveal and answers to give when questioned by the other suspects.  All in all, standard format for these games.  However, there is very little room for improvisation.  Of course, my group tends to do so anyway, but I can see this may be a problem with a group of beginners.  

    And finally, do keep in mind answers are written in the third person and your guests may have trouble just reading the answers off the page.  You have to turn everything into the first person narrative.

     PROS:  Many of the problems I have with these boxed games is that everyone has a motive but when it comes time to puzzle out who did it, it seems the answer is pretty random.  This game is one of the better ones, in which the answer makes sense and there are enough clues to spot the culprit.  However, and this is just my opinion, I think it's pretty easy and/or obvious if you're playing with people who really get into the game, as far as the solving part.  My group is more laid back and not too picky.  In the end, no one guessed the solution so maybe I'm wrong about that.

     The other great thing about this game is the theme is so easy to use and it's more down to earth than some of the other games.  Most of your guests should have an idea about the characters and how they should be played.  And believe me, the bad Italian accents will fly around all night.

     

     FINAL THOUGHTS AND ADVICE:  If you're looking for a lighthearted murder-mystery with a few twists and an easy going atmosphere, this is a great game for you.  Many people on line have complained that the CD is a problem.  Honestly, if you read the directions in the Party Planner, you will find that the CD is played at the end of every round EXCEPT round three, the last round.  Many people have been putting it on and hearing the solution to the crime before it was time.  So like anything else in life, please READ THE DIRECTIONS!  For beginners, this game may take the first round to get a feel for the game, but I don't think you'll have much trouble.  For veteran murder mystery buffs, it's an easy one to play, but it may be too easy and too scripted for your tastes.  I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.  Good, Fun, but could be better!