Description

Surprise Ending simulates a murder investigation. After a party in a mansion, one character turns up dead. Everyone at the table is a suspect, and the incompetent police does not care whether they catch the murderer, as long as they can arrest someone.

The game consists entirely of cards. Each player gets a character card and a character trait card. One of the unused characters is flipped open - that's the murder victim. Some details about the victim and the way they were murdered are also randomly assigned. Each player has four face-down "exposed" cards in front of them. On a turn, flip one card in front of another player open. This reveals some information about that player which is somehow suspicious. The entire group now has 30 seconds to discuss why this player is clearly the murderer. Then the accused player has 30 seconds to defend themselves. Afterwards, they flip another player's card up, etc. Once everyone was exposed once, more information about the victim is revealed, and another round starts (with 3 players, a third round as well).
Afterwards, everyone points their finger at the most suspicious player at the table. The player(s) with the most fingers pointing at them will be arrested, draw an ending card and read out the ending of the story.
Players who pointed at an arrested player and were not arrested themselves, win the game.