2003 UK Cluedo Game : Clue / Cluedo

UK Cluedo Game - 2003


	Everything is not as it seems in this edition of Cluedo - at least not when you compare it to its US counterpart.

The Suspects:

Miss Josephine Scarlett: Seductive Josephine Scarlett is the daughter of Mrs. Patricia Peacock. With jealousy and envy the foundation of their relationship, the two seldom speak. An aspiring actress, her abmitions far exceed her talent. Her career in a tailspin, Miss Scarlett focused her attention on a brand new interest - rich old widowers. As a result, the London Tabloids had a field day covering her exploits. To avoid more bad publicity, she reluctantly joined her mother for a long holiday at Tudor Mansion.

Colonel Michael Mustard: Colonel Mustard, a frequent guest at Tudor Mansion, was an old acquaintance of Sir Hugh. He later befriended Sir Hugh's nephew, Dr. Black. Although Mustard's military career was not undistinguished, he was more of a legend in his own mind. After retiring, Mustard convinced a publisher that his military exploits would make a good book. Having received several advance payments he has produced only one chapter. Meanwhile, creditors hound him in search of due payments.

Mrs. Blanche White: Mrs. White was Dr. Black's long-time housekeeper and cook. When he first came to live at Tudor Mansion as a young child, Mrs. White served as his nanny. She was one of the few employees Dr. Black retained after his uncle's death. As cook, Mrs. White enjoyed experimenting, although dinner guests viewed her menus with great apprehension. Now 63, Mrs. White appears to have little to show for her years of dedicated service.

Reverend John Green: Young John Green received his "calling" early in life. At the age of 12 he began preaching at revivals and later took to calling himself "Reverend." While traveling in England, spreading his own version of "rob from the rich and give to the poor," he met Sir Hugh Black and his nephew Dr. Black. Rumor has it that the police have questioned Green regarding allegations of fraud, smuggling and money laundering.

Mrs. Patricia Peacock: A social "butterfly," Mrs. Peacock dabbled in the theatre and dreamed of a career on stage. She was forced to leave England after her involvement in a messy romantic triangle with two important political figures. While traveling in the United States, she befriended Margaret Black, mother of Dr. Black. Widowed three times, she has one daughter Miss Josephine Scarlett. Because of Peacock's lavish lifestyle, her late husband's fortune is now nearly exhausted.

Professor Peter Plum: An expert in ancient Mid-Eastern history, Professor Plum gave up teaching for high adventure in Egypt. Sir Hugh Black funded several archeological expeditions for Plum, and it was through Sir Hugh that the Professor met Dr. Black. Not long ago, Plum was accused of plagiarism and summarily dismissed from his job at the British Museum. Much of Plum's writings has allegedly been "lifted" from the notes of a colleague who had been killed in a freak accident.

The Story:

Welcome to Tudor Mansion. Unfortunately, you have arrived a bit too late to meet Dr. Black. He has just been murdered. The 29-year-old victim was the nephew of the late Sir Hugh Black, the previous owner of Tudor Mansion.

Orphaned at an early age, young Dr. Black was brought to Tudor Mansion to be raised by his uncle. Sir Hugh, however, had no idea how to deal with a child, so he sent young Black off to the finest boarding school in England. During holidays, his housekeeper, Mrs. White, tended to the boy.

Young Dr. Black worked hard in school, earned his doctorate in anthropology, and returned to Tudor Mansion after his uncle's death. The never-married Sir Hugh had placed his estate in a trust, to be inherited by his nephew on his thirtieth birthday.

Soon enough, Dr. Black discovered a steady trickle of "allowances" from his late uncle's estate to unknown persons, for unknown reasons. Had Sir Hugh been blackmailed? Did he support a secret cause?

Or was it something far more shameful? Dr. Black vowed to get to the bottom of these murky dealings. To that end, he invited Sir Hugh's former associates to Tudor Mansion for a weekend visit. It was during this weekend, with all of his colourful guests in attendance, that Dr. Black was murdered.

The Weapons: Dagger, Candlestick, Revolver, Rope, Lead Pipe, Spanner


The Rooms: Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, Ball Room, Conservatory, Billiard Room, Library, Study

Board	Instruction Booklet

Solution Envelope	Notepad

Inner Box	Box Reverse

There are a number of differences in this edition when comparing it to its US counterpart.

The most striking difference is the box cover. For some reason, the makers have decided to put an unflattering head on a bustier figure of Miss Scarlett as if to suggest that the consumer can't figure out that the head in the lower left corner belongs to her as well. Now, oddly, there are two heads belonging to her on the cover. It makes less sense. There can also be seen a collar on the figure of Reverend Green. In the US editions, it appears that "Mr." Green is wearing a turtleneck. Of course, finally, the Clue logo, which seemed to be designed for this edition - lining up with the changes of the artwork - is now Cluedo with a familiar fingerprint.

The reverse side of the box is interesting as well. The playing pieces used in the image are now all representative of the changes used in the game. For some reason, however, the character cards are untitled, as are the rooms and starting spaces on the board.

Inside, some pieces have changed as well. In the US edition, the character biographies and story background are listed on the inside box cover. Here this information is included in the instruction booklet which leaves room in the box for handy compartments to hold the suspect playing pieces.

The story is basically the same, though written slightly more formally with a few word changes. The big change is that this edition does not refer to Dr. Black as Mr. Boddy at all. While the US's attempt to use both names - suggesting that Mr. Boddy was also called Dr. Black in deference to his late uncle Sir Hugh Black - was awkward, at least they made an effort.

The pieces used thoughout game play are slightly altered as well. The notepad is more rectangular, leaving an open space for notes. The solution envelope is no longer labled as a case file with a "confidential" logo. It now, oddly, contains the Cluedo logo over the image of a case file. The cards all include a black border (not shown on the box's reverse cover) which may be a throw back to the original black background of the first Cluedo game. Also, interestingly, this is the first Cluedo edition to change the name of the Lead Piping to Lead Pipe - as the US does. Also, the playing piece of Rev. Green now includes a collar. And finally, the board's font has changed from the US edition and for some reason, in all rooms and starting spaces, is oriented upside-down in comparison.

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