Mantis Falls
- Players
- 2-3
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.7 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Mantis Falls is a semi-cooperative game of hidden roles and deduction for 2-3 players, set in a shadowy, mob-ruled noir town. Players work together to survive dangerous roads at night, using hand management and hidden card play to navigate events: but one of you might secretly be an assassin. Inspired by film noir, it blends trust, suspicion, and tactical decision-making into a tense, story-driven experience. Every game can play out as pure cooperation or hidden betrayal.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editors appreciate how Mantis Falls squeezes real tension out of a small player count, a niche that's often underserved. The variable hidden-role setup keeps every session unpredictable, and the noir theme comes through strongly in both art and mechanics. It's a great pick for small groups wanting a moodier, more suspicious alternative to typical hidden-traitor games.
What we like
- Unique semi-cooperative structure creates real uncertainty about allies.
- Strong film-noir theme woven into mechanics and art.
- Works well at low player counts (2-3), a rare niche.
- Variable hidden roles add high replayability.
Keep in mind
- Small player count limits use for larger groups.
- Deduction-heavy play may not suit players who dislike suspicion mechanics.
- Some downtime possible during discussion-heavy moments.
Who it's for
Best for 2-3 players, ages 14+, who enjoy tense deduction and hidden-role games with a strong thematic hook.
