BANG!
- Players
- 4-7
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 7 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 40 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.6 / 5
- Year
- 2002
About the game
BANG! recreates a spaghetti-western shootout where each player secretly takes on the role of Sheriff, Deputy, Outlaw, or Renegade, each with a different victory condition. Character cards grant unique special abilities while a deck of BANG!, MISSED!, and item cards fuels the gunfights, with range and weapons determining who can shoot whom. Only the Sheriff's identity is known to everyone, so bluffing, alliances, and betrayal drive every round. It scales from 4 to 7 players for a rowdy tabletop shootout.
Hobbli's Notes
BANG! remains a genre-defining hidden-role game for good reason: the tension of not knowing who's really on your side never gets old. The western theme is pure pulpy fun, and the escalating gunfights keep everyone leaning forward even after they're eliminated. It's an easy teach thanks to its language-independent card symbols. A dependable classic for groups who love bluffing and social deduction.
What we like
- Hidden-role mechanic creates constant tension and bluffing.
- Quick shootout theme delivers iconic western flavor.
- Scales well across 4 to 7 players.
- Language-independent symbols make teaching easy.
Keep in mind
- Eliminated players can be left waiting for the game to end.
- The Sheriff role is heavily targeted from the start.
- Luck of the draw can outweigh strategic play.
Who it's for
Great for larger groups of 4-7, ages 8 and up, who enjoy bluffing, hidden roles, and social deduction with a western flair.
