Dark Moon

Dark Moon

BluffingDeductionDiceLicensed / Adapted
Players
3-7
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
5 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
75 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
12+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
2.4 / 5
Year
2011

About the game

Dark Moon drops players on a deep-space mining outpost on Titan, Saturn's dark moon, where a strange incident has infected some crew members with a paranoia-inducing virus. Players are secretly divided into Uninfected and Infected teams: the Uninfected must survive to the end, while the Infected quietly work to destroy them. Through dice rolling, event resolution, and accusations, no one can be sure who to trust. Formerly known as BSG Express, it plays 3-7 players in a tense game of hidden loyalties.

Hobbli's Notes

A fantastic standalone take on the Battlestar Galactica hidden-traitor formula, packed with paranoia and betrayal in a shorter package. It's a blast with a full table, though downtime can build up for players sidelined by events or accusations.

What we like

  • Delivers intense hidden-traitor paranoia and betrayal.
  • Scales especially well with larger groups up to 7 players.
  • Thematic infection and quarantine mechanics reinforce the story.
  • An accessible standalone alternative to Battlestar Galactica.

Keep in mind

  • Downtime can be significant with a large player count.
  • Dice-based resolution introduces meaningful luck.
  • Sessions can run long as accusations and events pile up.

Who it's for

Fans of social deduction and hidden-traitor games, ages 12 and up, best with a full table of 3-7 players.

Mechanics

Dice RollingRole PlayingTeam-Based GameHidden Roles / TraitorVariable Player Powers

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