What is a Social Deduction Game?

Imagine being in a room full of friends, but you do not know whom to trust. Some of them are your allies, supposed to work for a common goal, while some plot secretly against your demise. Every glance, every word, and every decision might disclose a traitor or be an act of your suicidal tendencies. But that’s the exciting premise behind social deduction games-a genre which truly puts one’s ability to lie, to convincingly persuade, and outwit others. Let’s dive into the world of social deduction games.

What is a Social Deduction Game?

A social deduction game includes secret roles that the players have, whereby usually the aim is to find out who among them is lying and who is telling the truth. Some of the players may secretly work against the group while the others try to find out who those traitors are. The fun comes from players needing to trust or doubt each other. You have to watch for clues and listen to what others are saying, then make up your mind as to who you think is on your side.

These games come in the category of party games, which means they are light and easy to pick up when playing with friends. But unlike the plain and simple party games, social deduction brings spice and makes you really think. It is not just about finishing the tasks; it is all about reading people. You do not need any special skills concerning games, hence making it perfect for any beginner or professional at it. The best part about social deduction games is that every round feels completely different. People tend to do very unexpected things, so a new challenge and strategy arise in each game.

Gameplay

The core of any social deduction game is normally to try and work out who is lying and who is telling the truth. Players receive secret roles, typically split between those working for the greater good and those working against the group. The catch is that no one really knows who belongs to which group. Players have to communicate, make decisions, and find clues.

Most social deduction games are round-based, and each round is divided into a discussion phase and an action phase. On the action phase, players perform their tasks, sabotage the group, or perform secret moves according to their roles. Afterwards, players get to discuss with each other what they saw or accuse others of being suspicious. Tension builds up as the game goes along. If the good team wrongfully accuses too many innocents, then the advantage goes to the bad team. But if the bad players get exposed too early, they lose easily.

Best Social Deduction Games

5. Project Winter

Project Winter pits up to eight players against each other in a game of social deceit and survival. Players are working in two groups of survivors. Surivors, trying to work together by gathering resources and fixing up structures, need to do so in order to call in a rescue and get out of this cold, bitter winter. But among them, some will be traitors in disguise, subtly working to sabotage their best efforts. It’s all about communication and teamwork as a survivor; together you will take on the wilderness and eventually reach your goal.

4. West Hunt

West Hunt is a social deduction game set in the Wild West where players take on roles of Sheriff or Outlaw. An outlaw is trying to complete secret missions-poison water or set off firecrackers-and not get caught while a sheriff patrols the town in search of any kind of suspicion to figure out who the outlaw is before time runs out. It is a stealth game for the outlaw, who needs to blend into the townspeople, and for the sheriff, it is a game of keen observations because he only has a couple of limited chances to arrest.

3. Among Us

Among Us is a social deduction multiplayer game wherein players play the role of crewmates on a spaceship. In that sense, their main aim would be to perform elementary tasks around the map just enough to keep the spaceship running. However, it contains impostors in its midst, whose job it is to sabotage the mission by eliminating the crewmates without anyone noticing it. Crew members win the game when everything on the agenda is done or all impostors are voted out. In the case of impostors, it is vice-versa: they win if they eliminate enough crewmates or sabotage the ship.

2. Town of Salem 2

Town of Salem 2 is a rapid-moving online multiplayer game of murder, deception, and mob rule. Players are randomly given roles as helpful town members to deceptive villains in this dangerous town of Salem. The concept is simple: survive. The townspeople must work together to figure out who the bad guys are and eliminate them, while the villains in turn try to bluff their way to town control. Every match is a real nail-biter, as players need to get their wits and converse to determine whom they can trust-or whom they can convince others to trust.

1. LOCKDOWN Protocol

LOCKDOWN Protocol is a fast-paced first-person social deduction game that rounds out our list, merging real-time action with deep communication, featuring 3 to 8 players. Players in this game work together in solving tasks to win the game. However, a couple of dissidents will secretly try to sabotage this mission. The aim is to stop the team without showing who they are. Also, the constant tension between collaboration and hidden betrayal keeps the gameplay fast and intense.

So, what’s your favorite social deduction game, and how do you approach deception? Let us know on our socials here!