Night of the Ninja
- Players
- 4-11
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 7 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.8 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Night of the Ninja is a fast-paced social deduction game of secret ninja Houses, deadly assassinations, and shifting alliances for 4 to 11 players. Each round, players draft a ninja role, choosing between information-gathering roles like the Spy or Fortune Teller, or lethal roles like the Shinobi or Blind Assassin who can eliminate opponents. Team-based scoring means you can still earn Honor for your House even if your own character is defeated. With rounds lasting as little as five minutes, the game moves quickly from drafting straight into tense confrontation.
Hobbli's Notes
Designed by Justin Gary, this brings a fresh drafting twist to team-based social deduction, with the team-scoring rule doing a nice job of keeping eliminated players invested since their House can still win. The hand-cut papercraft art gives it a distinctive visual identity rare in the genre. High player counts and very short rounds make it a great fit for parties, though its high downtime score suggests individual turns can involve real waiting for larger tables.
What we like
- Scales impressively from 4 up to 11 players.
- Team-based scoring keeps eliminated players invested in the outcome.
- Distinctive hand-cut papercraft art sets it apart visually.
- Very short 5-minute rounds allow for quick replays and easy teaching.
- Drafting mechanic ensures no single dominant strategy each round.
Keep in mind
- High downtime at larger player counts means more waiting between turns.
- Deduction depth may feel shallow for hardcore social-deduction fans.
- Requires a fairly large group to shine, limiting appeal for small tables.
Who it's for
Party and social deduction fans aged 12 and up, ideal for larger groups of 4-11 players.
